Distractions and Motivations
I’d like to set the scene for you. Me sitting on my couch eating my deliciously oversized, extra-sharp cheddar cheese omelet watching 50,000 people running by my window. A high school garage band has be
en playing “Thriller” for two hours, police sirens are going off, and the only way out of my apartment is blocked by people drinking beer and banging on paint buckets. So in order to keep myself and other Sunday morning procrastinators motivated I’d like to share a few poached tips from the Guardian’s book blog, which they poached from Elmore Leonard’s book 10 Rules of Writing. These are just a few of my favorite quirky tips. Check out the website for more! http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2010/feb/20/ten-rules-for-writing-fiction-part-one
“Using adverbs is a mortal sin” –Elmore Leonard
“You most likely need a thesaurus, a rudimentary grammar book, and a grip on reality. This latter means: there’s no free lunch. Writing is work. It’s also gambling. You don’t get a pension plan. Other people can help you a bit, but essentially you’re on your own. Nobody is making you do this: you chose it, so don’t whine.” – Margaret Atwood
“Do not place a photograph of your favourite author on your desk, especially if the author is one of the famous ones who committed suicide.” – Roddy Doyle
“Do be kind to yourself. Fill pages as quickly as possible; double space, or write on every second line. Regard every new page as a small triumph.” – Roddy Doyle
“Have regrets. They are fuel. On the page they flare into desire.” – Geoff Dyer
“Only bad writers think that their work is really good.” – Anne Enright
“The most purely autobiographical fiction requires pure invention. Nobody ever wrote a more autobiographical story than “The Metamorphosis.” – Richard Ford
First, I was one of those 50,000 people running past your window. I’d apologize, but it was so damn fun. Second, I totally agree about adverbs, but occasionally, just every now and then they do serve a purpose. (Occasionally, you see.)
Though I told my creative writing students differently, I disagree about adverbs. In fact, I’m tired of that line (:Elmore Leonard). This whole manifesto against adverbs is just because people tend not to use them surprisingly. That’s my new theory, anyhow.
“Only bad writers think that their work is really good.” – Anne Enright
Thank you Carly (and Anne), this gives me hope.