Writing Advice from T.J. Allen
There’s a lot of advice for writers out there, but much of it is magnanimously handed down from writers standing on the pinnacle of success. While I appreciate books such as Stephen King’s On Writing and Anne Lamott’s Bird by Bird, I often find the advice given by fellow fledgling writers more useful. A fellow writer, T.J. Allen, posted these thoughts the other day and I thought I’d share them with you.
1. Your writing is not for everyone. You can hit a home run, knock it out of the park even, and there will be someone who doesn’t like it. It wasn’t for them. You wrote and write for others. Find those people.
2. Be thick skinned. I was told this one by Jerry B. Jenkins after he shredded a piece that I sent to him. He told me he wasn’t doing me any favors by sugar coating it. The only way to develop thick skin is by suffering bad reviews, curt editors, etc. It’s like scar tissue that builds up over time. Just don’t let it get you callous.
3. Anything worth doing is worth doing wrong or bad. No one starts out at the top. Even the greatest musicians and artists started out bad, but then as they practiced correctly, they became their best. Will Smith has said you have to “beat on your craft daily.”
4. Writing is hard work. If you aren’t willing to put in the work, don’t expect any worthwhile results.
5. No matter how good you are, there is always someone better than you. Learn from them. I got that one from my dad. So very true and I have found, those better are willing to help you get better.
6. Criticism is like eating chicken: keep the meat and throw away the bones. If the criticism is correct learn from it, if not ignore it.
7. You are not alone. There are others who feel your pain and are struggling with you. They are your cheerleaders. Also along with this is: find a mentor. Someone you will allow to hold you accountable and guide you.
The only thing to do with good advice is to pass it on. It is never of any use to oneself.
-Oscar Wilde
If you get a moment, go check out T.J’s site, The Salty Eclectic. He has an interesting blog and posts poetry and short stories on it along with sharing his unique perspective on the world.
What’s the best writing advice you’ve been given? What’s the worst?