I came across an article on the Huffington Post titled How to Think Like A Writer by Carolyn Gregoire. In the article, Gregoire writes:
Writing isn't easy. In fact, it can be painfully difficult. Why? Because it's thinking, but on paper. "To write well is to think clearly. That's why it's so hard," said Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and author David McCullough
Many great writers, including Joan Didion and Don DeLillo, have said that their purpose for putting words on paper is to find clarity with their thoughts, and have described the process of writing as one of becoming familiar with their own minds.
“I find that by putting things in writing I can understand them and see them a little more objectively," Hunter S. Thompson wrote in a 1958 letter. "For words are merely tools and if you use the right ones you can actually put even your life in order."
If you're a writer, then you're likely both devoted to your craft and eternally frustrated by it -- and even the most talented writers could use guidance from the greats on how to hone their powers of thinking and get those creative juices flowing. Take a cue from the likes of Henry Miller, Zadie Smith and William Faulkner to get into your "writer's mind" and produce your best work.
Click on above link to read the tips on how to think like a writer!
Devotion and frustration go hand in hand when it comes to writing... but I do follow a few well-worn techniques:
ReplyDeleteShow don't tell.... it's better and more explosive to your readers to show them the way, rather than tell them the way.... right?
Know hot too spelll yore wordz.... :D Get it? :P Writing like you do in your text messages gets you absolutely nowhere in fiction - as well as non-fiction. This is why a lot of writers fail badly at texting and twitter, we don't mis-spell words and write complete messages to our friends. We are the Grammar Nazis at any gathering.
And I learned this one from Wilbur Smith: 'First, write from your heart. Throw it all on the page... then, edit with your head... it will tell you what to cut out, throw out and to come back to reality. Doing it any other way will make you into a person who will never finish writing a book.'
I also have a Dictionary and a Thesaurus on hand - I've even bought the apps for my iPod for when I'm out and about and need them badly and don't want to lug the books around physically. :D
Showing verses telling is essential in writing for sure.
DeleteInteresting advice from Wilbur Smith!!
Thank you for sharing your writing tips and tricks!!