Read . . .

Was dealing with an author the other day who had some talent, but IMO, needed a lot more work before her WIP was ready.  She raved about how much she liked to read, how she'd read everything she could get her hands on in X genre.

Generally, if you're an author, reading is good advice.  I don't like to read all that much.  I know, I know . . . I'm passionate about it, but I read way too much crap to be enthusiastic about it anymore.

My advice on reading:  yes, do read, read A LOT.  READ ALL KINDS OF THINGS.  Read Internet articles that make you cringe of the grammar.  Read novels in hard cover, read paperbacks about Star Trek, read stuff written by high school students and adults who write like high school students but think they're going to be on the best sellers list, read cookbooks and style manuals and how-to books.  READ EVERYTHING.

But very few people are successfully self-taught.  Reading only what you like and only in a specific genre will not educate you.  It will teach you certain flaws are acceptable.  When an author uses . . . that it is OK.  No, it's OK about two times. When I see a manuscript peppered with ellipses, I know automatically what genres the author is restricting themselves to, there's about three that do it.

My advice on being a good writer:

1. Join a writing group, a good one.  One where the other authors are honest, professional, positive and preferably at the same writing level as you.  Hearing how other authors talk and what their experiences are will be an eye-opener for a novice.  Getting an honest critique will be incredibly helpful if the author allows themselves to be open to comments.  When joining a writing group, beware of toxic critiques, author bashing, and on the opposite end, people who say only great things.  You are not J.K. Rowling.  And even J.K. Rowling has a flaw or two in her work.

2. Read articles about writing and the publishing industry.  Read self-help books about how to write better.  Do the exercises suggested in these books.  Follow the tips. 

3. Learn how to edit your work.  Keep a list of flaws.  Mine include dialogue-heavy scenes (I studied acting, seriously, for a year), evil words (yeah, write with them, do whatever you need to get it down on paper or computer, etc., then get rid of it), passive voice.  See my first blog for the mistakes I see most frequently when I edit other people's work.

4. Go to writing conventions.  Like joining a writing group, being around other authors is insightful and motivating.  Meeting professionals offers great opportunities.  And hearing other authors and professionals is incredibly educational.

5. Take a writing course.  Hell yes, learn HOW to write.  Even better, take an English class and learn how to use correct grammar.  Other coursew that are helpful to writers: acting courses (I can rave about what acting has taught me about writing and will in the future), psychology courses, anthropology and sociology courses, history.  You get the gist, write . . . er . . . right?

5. And read some more.