"There are so many different kinds of writing and so many ways to work that the only rule is this: do what works. Almost everything has been tried and found to succeed for somebody. The methods, even the ideas of successful writers contradict each other in a most heartening way, and the only element I find common to all successful writers is persistence -- an overwhelming determination to succeed."
Sophy Burnham, For Writers Only
Friday Tip of The Week
As promised in my first entry I will try and post up a weekly tip. This maybe prompted by a quote, pinched from the desk of another or merely an observation by my good self. This week, its prompted by another self, Will Self who says, 'The writing life is essentially one of solitary confinement - if you can't deal with it you needn't apply...'
I think most of us who write understand the sentiments behind this quote, perhaps one of the most difficult aspects of our life for others around us to understand. Being a writer often means shutting your self away and off from any other distractions, including loved ones, friends, family dog, the internet and your own inner critic. However, equally so for the writer, whether you are just starting out or indeed have rafts of publications, I do believe that sometimes (and only sometimes) you have to come out of your shell. How that happens is up to you, but the key thing is to build yourself a little group of like-minded people, writers like you, who you can call upon when in need, or just to mull something over. Splendid isolation is fine as long as you can write, email or get on-line and talk to someone - even if it is of a virtual nature. For example, I belong to a 'vibrant' writing community - some of you may have heard it called so in the latest Writers News. No? Well shame on you, get over and visit Writers Abroad, a social place for ex-pat writers where we share our work, provide comments, solace and congratulations when and where due, as well as a critical eye on our punctuation, plot, and characterisation.
So my tip is find yourself a place or a person to venture out from the safety of your solitary confinement and return there all the better for having 'got out and about'. Go on, break out for a while.
Speak next week...
Louise
This is my new blog dedicated to my 'Works in Progress'. It is supposed to provide me with inspiration to complete the four (maybe five) novels I have in various stages of birth. Two of them have been written during NaNoWriMo month and I'm planning another this year... but I need to get them off my editing pile and into the in-tray of a willing (and perhaps unsuspecting) editor. Each week I will plot my progress with each one (details of which can be found on my website, Louise Charles - Writer in Progress, with the hope that I will shame myself into action. I know, drastic measures but needs must and I think it will help to talk it through. I will also post future book reviews here, when I have the time in between editing of course... so please do check in regularly and give me the nudge that I so much need. I also will share a weekly tip, maybe mine, maybe someone else's, who knows? So that there will always be something new (or maybe not so new) to read. If you check in, please feel free to comment and criticise as you see fit, any feedback is better than none (and I have a tale to tell there, but more on that later...)
So without further rambling, I'll go and get on with my plan... after the usual half hour of procrastination. And don't forget my other blog Joe Bloggs, will plots generally the life of a jobbing writer, the ups and the downs and news from my other projects including the community on-line writing group for ex-pat writers - Writers Abroad. Never a dull moment...
