3 Common Misconceptions About Writing



Hey everyone!
This week I thought we'd talk about common writing misconceptions, so here we go!
1. Writing is Easy
So many people think this. It's mind-blowing.
In actuality, writing requires a lot of hard work and commitment.
Quality writing isn't something you can accomplish in an hour.
And yet, countless individuals believe that writing is a piece of cake. Far too many people sit down to write expecting to work miracles in a short, painless amount of time.
The truth is, even professionals will agonize over their work, so a little discomfort is normal.
2. Always Show, Never Tell
Don't get me wrong, the show-don't-tell rule applies in certain situations.
But overly descriptive paragraphs can slow down a fight scene— the last thing you want in an otherwise fast-paced situation.
Show when you want the reader to notice the details.
Tell when you want the reader to notice the action.
3. Wait For Inspiration
We all love that idea that hits us like lightning, igniting a spark in our chests. We love it when we sit down and the words pour out.
But if we wait for that idea every time we write, nothing will ever happen. Nothing will ever get done.
You can't wait for inspiration. You have to find it, to create it.

That's all I have for you this week. Please share any misconceptions you heard or might have about creative writing in the comments, and come back next week for more!

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Third Person: Objective vs. Subjective

Image
So, apparently, there are two main categories to the third person point of view: objective and subjective. Today we'll be going over what each one means and the difference between the two. Objective POV Objective POV is when the narrator cannot tell what the characters are thinking. Emotions, thoughts, and opinions are conveyed through dialogue or body language.   This perspective is sometimes called the "fly-on-the-wall" or "camera lens" point of view. There can be a non-human narrator to make the story less biased, and only observes the visible actions of each character.   To summarize: the objective point of view consists of external action and dialogue— the reader cannot see inside the characters' heads.   Pros:  puts story at the forefront; allows the story to be more action/plot driven  makes unnecessary exposition less likely flexible   Cons:  creates distance between characters and reader all information must be conveyed through dial
Read more

Third Person: An Introduction to the Miniseries

Image
A little while ago, I thought to myself, wouldn't it be great if I wrote a blog about writing in the third person? I wanted to write about the step-by-step process of writing in the third person— specifically third person omniscient. Later, when I went to research the topic, I realized exactly how vast the subject of writing in third-person is. This blog post I was going to write became a miniseries. So, before I make the first post, here are three basic terms. Third-person: the perspective that uses he, she, and they, but never I, us, or we. There can be one main character, but nobody refers to themselves as "I." Third-person, multiple: third person, but with multiple characters/perspectives being taken into account. Third-person, limited: one main character's perspective. (Harry Potter by J.K. Rowling, The Giver by Lois Lowry, 1984 by George Orwell). We'll go over third-person omniscient and third-person alternating later on in the series. And
Read more

Three Cliches That Should Not Drive Your Plot

Image
Humans invented the written word five thousand, two hundred eighteen years ago, but stories have existed since long before then. The Brothers Grimm alone recorded more than two hundred folk tales in their lifetimes. With so many thousands of accounts, writing something unique is next to impossible. However, some plot devices have been used to the point of being hackneyed. And some minor plot devices have been treated as significant. Here, in no particular order, are the top three cliches that should not drive your plot.  1. Mountain Out of a Molehill You’re reaching the end of your chapter or book, and you need a cliffhanger. You need a way to guarantee your reader’s continued interest.     So you throw in some conflict between two of your characters. Sometimes they’re friends, but usually, they’re lovers.    This conflict is generally over something small.  The main character forgets to mention something trivial. The love interest finds out. There's screaming, and
Read more