The most important lesson I learned is to thoroughly plan from the outset. I would have saved myself considerable effort and time.
The most important lesson I learned is to thoroughly plan from the outset. I would have saved myself considerable effort and time.
To never stop, keep going, burn the paper with an idea, exhaust the pen before the mine and when I reach the end that again.....
I learned to ditch the ego and just write. I also fully agree with number 20 on the Stephan King List of rules for writers;D~
http://www.openculture.com/2014/03/stephen-kings-top-20-rules-for-writers.html
20. Writing is about getting happy. “Writing isn’t about making money, getting famous, getting dates, getting laid or making friends. Writing is magic, as much as the water of life as any other creative art. The water is free. So drink.”
I have to admit that my first lesson was that you don't just write it and its done, I thought that was the way writers worked and I nearly gave up until I realised that the first thing you do is only the FIRST draft... big lesson, but I have said on another post that the reworking, editing and rewriting is actually enjoyable and very satisfying. You know that moment when you read it through after many many hours of work and thinking it sounds like someone else has written this because I can't be capable of that, and the other bit, where did it all come from. I have sometimes wondered if I'm schizophrenic because of the dialogue, imaginary characters having conversations in my head! fun though, but they seem to do what they want and not what I want. So those are some of the things I have learned, oh and one other thing I found joining a writers group helpful a lesson learned after years of saying "not likely, I'm not having someone tell me how to write." which of course they don't. Regards to all. oh and as we are nearing the date of the short list, good luck to all who have entered, but not too much good luck because I WANT TO WIN... lol Paul.