DAY 19
This month of daily writing advice will include tidbits, tips, and sometimes tricks. This isn’t a replacement for editing or book coaching, it’s meant as a jumping off point for exploration and thought! I hope it helps! ~Amy
Amy xo
WHO DO YOU WRITE FOR?
On Day #19 here I’ll admit I Googled to see what writing advice category it might be fun to explore. I tend to skew to the actual WRITING here, which I now realize is uncommon. Most of what I found is more like GO YOU and BUTT IN CHAIR and DON’T GIVE UP. All great stuff but NOT what I was looking for. I have ELEVEN more days of this project and it might as well be A THOUSAND so help me out and tell me what you want to know!
What I did find online is advice I disagree with. Shocker.
Someone suggested writing for the reader and not for yourself.
Since I am my own ideal reader, I disagree. I also disagree because you can’t write a book (in my opinion) to please an unknown entity with unknown baggage. I write for myself because frankly, I am not egotistical enough to think I am unique. If something interests me, resonates with me, it likely is going to do the same for someone else somewhere. I’m not so different from you or you or you.
I also don’t write to teach a less or express a moral. It’s not wrong if you do, but I’d find it exhausting. I write to tell a story and to untangle things for myself. Again, I’m probably not unique. If I like it, someone else probably will too. Of course I want readers. I want lots and lots of readers, but it’s not the reason I sit down to write. It’s also not because I have to or I have a muse or a calling. I like to write because it’s hard work that challenges me and when I’m done I have a freaking book!
Ok, not your normal writing advice post but it’s what I’ve got today.
SEE YOU TOMORROW!
Amy xo
WANT ME AS YOUR PRIVATE WRITING COACH?
Man, do I agree with this. When I try to write for someone else – be it for a themed lit mag, or an imaginary audience – it comes out false. The writers I read have obviously gone deep into themselves. I love that.
As for new topics, could you write about non-linear writing, both in the story structure and in writing practice.
Adding it to my list — thank you!
I would be interested in your thoughts on editing/revision. Could you please advise on what your editing/revision process is? (Once you’ve completed your first draft.) How do you go about it? Is your literary agent (or publishing editor?) involved with the first revisions or are you on your own?
Happy to add it to the list! I’m actually drowning in revisions right now!
How about something on research. Do you research first, then write? Or do you research as you write? I know you have written historical fiction. How do you approach this?
You got it, Gilllian! On the list!
I would love your perspective on picking Comps for the submission process.
You got it!
I’m catching up on all of these at once (was sunk in final(?) revisions) and … THIS!
“Of course I want readers. I want lots and lots of readers, but it’s not the reason I sit down to write. It’s also not because I have to or I have a muse or a calling. I like to write because it’s hard work that challenges me and when I’m done I have a freaking book!”
Thank you for saying it so well!
I write for myself and the reader. When you know what genre you write in, you have a good idea of what your target audience is looking for in a good page-turner. However, finding your voice with your own unique style is what sets you apart from others writing in your genre. Also, keep in mind that we as authors/writers learn from each other, and that adds to our “unique” voice, too.