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Advice to Beginning Writers
Excerpted from "Let's
Get Creative, Writing Fiction that Sells!," by William F.
Nolan
Axioms to Write By
The principles here are basic to writing success. Consider each of them
carefully, for they are culled from hard-won experience and knowledge.
1. Unless written for deliberate effect, do not repeat important words in
the same sentence.
Wrong: He entered the boat and then steered the boat slowly
away from shore.
Right: He entered the boat and then steered the craft slowly
away from shore
2. Be specific and decisive in your exposition. Don't equivocate. (Although
your characters may be indecisive and equivocal in both their actions and
dialogue.)
3. In most stories, limit your use of profanity and four-letter words. Too
many and their shock value is lost. They become boring, redundant, and
eventually cast doubt on the writer's ability to be original and creative.
4. Don't show off, or try to be cute, or precious.
5. Although your characters may use slang as appropriate, be cautious when
you use it in exposition or when writing as yourself. Be aware that most
slang becomes passe fairly quickly. Slang in
1930's noir fiction, for example, which was easily understood by all
readers of that era, is often confusing or incomprehensible to readers
today. If you desire your writing to live beyond your own lifetime, be
sparing in your use of slang.
6. Entertain (and subtly instruct) your readers, but never lecture them.
Fiction is not the appropriate place for authors to pontificate.
7. Practice writing verse in order to learn compression and economy.
8. Never violate your own moral and ethical code in accepting assignments.
I was once asked to write a teleplay called "Death Car on the
Freeway" – an easy blueprint for real–life murder, in my opinion. I
turned down the offer.
9. If at all possible, write only what excites and intrigues you. If you
write against your grain, the result may be professional, but it's very
likely to be less then optimally successful.
10. Never discuss an idea or a story with anyone not essential to your
project before you've written it. If necessary, you can discuss your ideas
and projects-in-progress with collaborators, agents, attorneys, editors,
and with as little specific explanation as possible – with those you may
need to consult for research purposes. But unless your friends, relatives,
romantic interests, work pals, and seat mates on planes or commuter trains
fit into one of the above categories, don't say a word about any project
you have not yet completed. Talking about a story before it is completed
drains off vital creative energy flow, and – as I learned to my detriment –
may possibly derail the entire project if you inadvertently talk to someone
who is in a position to work against your personal career interests.
For more information about "Let's Get Creative, Writing Fiction that
Sells!" or any other great titles please visit our web site at www.quilldriverbooks.com
Quill Driver Books is located at 1254 Commerce Way, Sanger, California, 93657. To reach us by phone call 1-800-497-4909
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