I’m not talking about cheating the reader or being predictable or having clichéd characters. No, I’m talking about what writers shouldn’t do to other writers. Especially newbie writers who don’t know any better than to take what a published writer says as gospel. Me, I don’t care. I listen to advice, use what I want and toss the rest. But I’ve been writing for a long time, belong to writing groups that share information, done the research on agents and editors, taken the workshops (countless workshops).

A newbie writer is looking for guidance. A lot of new writers want to know the very basic information. The information those of us who have been doing this for a while take for granted. So you have to remember two things. There are no stupid questions. And you were a new writer once too.

I’ve had new writers ask me where to start. They have an idea or they have a character so what do they do now. This is the most common question I get asked. If a new writer asks you that keep in mind what a writer should not do.

Writers should not tell other writers how they SHOULD write. There is no wrong way or right way to write a book. It’s an individual process. What works for me might not work for you. I should not tell you that you should let the book simmer for a year or two. That you must have a detailed chapter by chapter outline. That you must have action on the first page (it’s a good idea but you don’t have to do it). You might be a pantser. A chapter by chapter outline wouldn’t work for you. I’ll admit, the more a book simmers for me the faster I can write it when I sit down to write. But I would never let it simmer for two years. And some readers and editors actually like books that start off slowly, building the suspense without hitting you over the head with the conflict.

Writers should not think that just because they are published they know everything about writing and getting published. Writers learn new things about writing every day. Published authors I know continue to take workshops to improve their craft. The only difference between me and a published author is they have a contract. If I got a contract tomorrow that doesn’t magically make me more knowledgeable or mean what I have to offer in the way of advice is any better than the published author who got their contract a year ago. Do published authors have more to teach us? You bet they do. They have insight into the part of the business the unpublished don’t. They know all about ARCs and proofs, deadlines. I listen intently when published authors speak. But I’ve also seen stories by a published author who didn’t know how to properly use a dialogue tag.

Be helpful. Be supportive. Writers should not tell a new author their story is boring or won’t sell. How do you know? What you find boring someone else might find enchanting. Yes, I’ve told authors their books might be hard sells because of the subject matter. But I would never tell them it would never sell.

I try to always preface my advice with – this is what works for me. The writer can pick and choose what they want to listen to.

If you’re a new writer I highly recommend joining a SUPPORTIVE group. One that won’t judge. That won’t tell you how writing must be done. Local is always best. Meeting face to face with other writers is a great experience. If you’re in the Guelph area (living or visiting) check out the local writing group Guelph Write Now.

What advice have you been given that totally didn’t work for you? What else should writers not do?

Until next time…

Cindy