When asked if one thing helped them succeed, authors are likely to mention persistence. Of course the book or poem has to be good. Much of what is written and submitted is.
When a new (or experienced) writer accepts feedback and keeps writing, they are likely to achieve what they define as success -- publishing a book, having stories appear in literary journals, being asked to read their work in a bookstore. The people who get discouraged after a bunch of rejection slips and stop writing or submitting won't get there.
Sounds simple. No magic formula, no particular writing style, just persistence -- and perhaps a teflon ego.
Today someone asked me for general advice to a new writer. Without thinking much, I dashed off the following.
My basic advice is always the same. Nothing is finished until you place your fanny in a chair and just keep at it. It's really important to get that first draft done. It will not be (cannot be) perfect, so don't take time to try to make it so. Give yourself permission to do some good rewriting, but at some point stop. If you go over the same work a lot, it can lose its edge, and you won't be doing anything new.
C'est tout.
* * * *
To learn more about Elaine or her writing, go to www.elaineorr.com or sign up for her newsletter.
No comments:
Post a Comment