Share Your Insights: Most Valuable Lesson You've Learned as a Writer?

[Lucky_Foot]

Attention, writers and wordsmiths! We invite you to embark on a quest to uncover the profound wisdom and knowledge gained through the journey of writing. Whether you're a seasoned author or a budding wordsmith, your voice matters. Share with us the pivotal lessons that have shaped you as a writer. What invaluable insights have illuminated your path? From conquering the dreaded writer's block to honing the art of storytelling, each experience carries its own teachings. Let's inspire and learn together as we navigate the vast realm of words. Join us now to share your hard-earned wisdom and enlighten the community!

[Lucky_Foot]

One of the most significant lessons I've learned on my writing journey is the remarkable flexibility of storytelling. Writing allows us to explore endless possibilities and embrace various styles, genres, and voices. It has taught me the art of adaptability and the importance of being open to new ideas. Just as writing can transform and evolve, so can we as writers. Embracing this flexibility has expanded my creative horizons and enriched my storytelling skills.

[Ordinaryaverageguy]

No matter how I try to have realistic expectations... I'm still too optimistic. To be more serious, it was a bit of a revelation about the mind to see how I could start writing with one scene in mind but it changes as I write & I end up with a completely different scene that I like even better.

[cherrystark]

1. Don't let anyone tell you how to plan your series. You want to use an outline? Cool. You like to discover things along the way? Cool. Reading books helps you write? Awesome. You want to try out a new to you format for a series? Do your research. Learn how to do it well and try it out. It's your series, learn how to write it well.

2. Be careful who you attach yourself with. I had met a "friend" who loved to brag about their extensive career in the writing/entertainment industry. I had naively assumed that they would read my work, fall madly in love with it, and help "pass it on" to someone who could do something with it. This never happened. They gaslit me and were all around toxic. People, companies, whatever. Be careful who you attach yourself too because they could only be looking out for themselves.

[darthmongoose]

Writing, just like drawing, isn't a mystical gift that some people have. It's a skill you can learn by applying yourself, reading good books and the advice of people who have written great things, attempting to dissect and copy the methods and racking up lots of practice.

If you're pretty good at writing, don't just sit on that; you still need to work hard. If you're not good at writing, don't just be resigned to it; you can improve.

[ThunderChicken]

One thing I have learned is that no matter how many times you’ve re-read your own work, the next time you read it you’ll find something that you don’t like. Whether it be something as mundane as a spelling or grammar error or a sentence that doesn’t “flow” right or a plot point that doesn’t jive with a later or previous plot point, you will find something.

And then, the first time you let somebody else read it, they will find more.

[Lucky_Foot]

No matter how I try to have realistic expectations... I'm still too optimistic. To be more serious, it was a bit of a revelation about the mind to see how I could start writing with one scene in mind but it changes as I write & I end up with a completely different scene that I like even better

Your optimism is a wonderful quality to have as a writer! It's fascinating how the creative process can take unexpected turns, leading us to new and exciting scenes that we may not have initially envisioned.

[Lucky_Foot]

Don't let anyone tell you how to plan your series. You want to use an outline? Cool. You like to discover things along the way? Cool. Reading books helps you write? Awesome. You want to try out a new to you format for a series? Do your research. Learn how to do it well and try it out. It's your series, learn how to write it well.
Be careful who you attach yourself with. I had met a "friend" who loved to brag about their extensive career in the writing/entertainment industry. I had naively assumed that they would read my work, fall madly in love with it, and help "pass it on" to someone who could do something with it. This never happened. They gaslit me and were all around toxic. People, companies, whatever. Be careful who you attach yourself too because they could only be looking out for themselves

You've hit the nail on the head! Writing a series is a personal and unique journey, and there's no one-size-fits-all approach.

When it comes to collaborating or seeking support, it's crucial to be discerning about the people you surround yourself with. Unfortunately, not everyone has your best interests at heart. It's essential to be cautious and mindful of those who may be looking out for their own agendas. Surround yourself with positive and supportive individuals who genuinely appreciate and respect your work.

[Lucky_Foot]

Writing, just like drawing, isn't a mystical gift that some people have. It's a skill you can learn by applying yourself, reading good books and the advice of people who have written great things, attempting to dissect and copy the methods and racking up lots of practice.

If you're pretty good at writing, don't just sit on that; you still need to work hard. If you're not good at writing, don't just be resigned to it; you can improve.

Absolutely! Writing, much like any other creative pursuit, is indeed a skill that can be learned and honed through dedication and practice. It's not solely reserved for a select few with innate talent, but rather something that anyone can improve upon.

[TheLemmaLlama]

No matter how I try to have realistic expectations... I'm still too optimistic. To be more serious, it was a bit of a revelation about the mind to see how I could start writing with one scene in mind but it changes as I write & I end up with a completely different scene that I like even better.

If you end up with a better scene than you were expecting to write, then if anything it sounds like you haven't been optimistic enough XD

One thing I have learned is that no matter how many times you’ve re-read your own work, the next time you read it you’ll find something that you don’t like.

Bonus points if each time you read it, you go back and forth on your opinion on the same point -- 1st reread: "I should change A to B", 2nd reread: "nah B sounds bad, A worked better", 3rd reread: "actually I prefer B after all" ... etc, ad infinitum

[powerplantanimations]

This is going to be a little specific and a little rough, but I think it's important? If you're good at writing, don't waste your skills making people angry. Probably the most pathetic form of writing. The world is already outraged as it is and a lot of the time I've seen writers who can't help but vent in their work. Like sure, it's cool to give your character's the same experiences you have and give them the same problems as you. That's great! Nothing wrong with that. But there's people who take it to pathetic levels and I want to talk about that (this is obviously coming from a personal place since I had a sickness that made me angry).

1. Using same tactics as the people you're criticizing. The thing I get annoyed is that people constantly try to prove that they're above the other side, only for them to take the same low-ball punches. This doesn't make you "punk" or "rebellious"... and it sure as Hell isn't empowering. It makes you derivative of the people who wronged you. Now if you're going to try and do something new, then I don't have a problem with it. Just innovate for once for God's sake. Talking like the ignorant isn't going to get you places. You're just speaking in the same language, just with a different flavor.

2. Never pander to your own crowd. This has always been a backhanded way of you, the writer, desperately looking for approval. Also a backhanded way of saying that your audience is dumb.

3. And the weirdest one... look in a mirror and see if you can legitimately take someone in a fight. Can you handle yourself on social media? How sheltered are you? I'm not even joking. I see a bunch of comedians and writers with these big egos act tough only for them to be sheltered. They claim to be giving the little guy a voice, but they wind up making themselves look like asses in the process.

4. If you get a job to adapt something, for God's sake, be as respectful as possible. You're getting paid for this. If you choose to make the fanbase mad, then you don't deserve the job in the first place.

Again, I'm fine with provocateurs? People like Suda51, James Gunn, Norm MacDonald, Aaron McGruder, and Joan Rivers I would describe to be the greatest? But like... yeah. I just want to talk about how much of a slippery slope this is should you make projects like this.

[CloudyMagpie]

TBH sometimes I do this but forget that A was ever an option. Then when I've gone down the list of B-Z iterations unable to get the right wording down, I look back at my oldest drafts and remember A was an option all along! Sometimes I iterate too many times that the original meaning is lost and the line fails to work. Like a sad game of telephone I'm playing with my self through time lol!

[DasIstWunderblyat]

When making a summary, imagine you are talking to him

[thepenmonster]

The old advice seems to be the best;

K.I.S.S.

[TheLemmaLlama]

1. Using same tactics as the people you're criticizing.

Oof, I feel that one ^^; (Though I sometimes question if this is just something I find easy to criticise in others but totally fail to recognize in my own stuff :'D) I feel like it ties to point #3 as well; if you're going to be provocative, you need to be able to stick to your guns under pressure, and you can't do that if you have such a shallow understanding of the underlying issues with what you're criticizing that you fall into replicating those issues yourself. Of course you're going to look like a hypocrite, and have no ammo to fight with when people realize that and point it out!

1. Never pander to your own crowd. This has always been a backhanded way of you, the writer, desperately looking for approval. Also a backhanded way of saying that your audience is dumb.

What exactly counts as 'pandering' though? I mean, heck yeah I want approval. I want to be a beacon for people who feel the same way I do, give them something to read that makes them go 'this: this person understands' and 'I've been feeling this for so long but you finally put it into words'.

Does that count as pandering? To have a crowd you want to appeal to, that you desperately want approval from? Or does it only count if you imply they're dumb in some way?

TBH sometimes I do this but forget that A was ever an option. Then when I've gone down the list of B-Z iterations unable to get the right wording down, I look back at my oldest drafts and remember A was an option all along! Sometimes I iterate too many times that the original meaning is lost and the line fails to work. Like a sad game of telephone I'm playing with my self through time lol!

Yet another reason to never delete (or overwrite) our old drafts! XD

[AmysGames]

I guess for me it would be that it's okay to be self-indulgent. I've spent a lot of time fretting over whether people would like my ideas (with no thanks to a few toxic folks I've had to deal with), but over time I've found that when I let loose and just write what I actually wanted to write in the first place, both me and my readers tend to enjoy it a lot more, haha.

Relatedly, some people are just never going to like what you're writing, and that's fine. You can't please everyone.

[powerplantanimations]

I don't think people should see themselves as these beacons when writing since that could lead to self-indulgent behavior. I've seen SO MANY WRITERS just end up acting like jerks because of this COUGH JAMES CAMERON COUGH. Self-gratification, in my opinion, is a writer's worst enemy.

I feel like writers should see themselves more as people who "even out the playing field" if that makes sense? As you say, the goal of a writer should be "putting something into words for the little guy". Make the best damn argument ever

As for the second bit, yeah, I think it's insulting when you inadvertently imply they're dumb by having to spell stuff out and not adding anything to the conversation? Like you're talking just to talk. Which is why I think a lot of shows that're considered instant classics are going to be forgotten about in the future.

Regarding approval... I don't think a writer should want that either. I mean, they should want approval in a sense that writers across the board with different beliefs love your stuff... but for one particular crowd that you DESPERATLY want? Like... nah. I think if anything writers should use that energy in being respectful for that particular crowd; otherwise you can wind up being that one kid desperately looking to be apart of something.

[TheLemmaLlama]

Interesting ... What if you think you're the little guy? Someone has to be the little guy, so I'm sure there's some writer who's correct in that self-assessment

Regarding approval... I don't think a writer should want that either. I mean, they should want approval in a sense that writers across the board with different beliefs love your stuff... but for one particular crowd that you DESPERATLY want? Like... nah. I think if anything writers should use that energy in being respectful for that particular crowd; otherwise you can wind up being that one kid desperately looking to be apart of something.

Right, so I guess it's cool to want to write something that anyone can respect, even if the beliefs portrayed are heavily skewed to wards a particular crowd? Like, for people who agree with you to be like 'this person understands', and for people who disagree with you to say 'huh, that's interesting; I don't necessarily agree but I can see this person knows what they're talking about'.

Whereas pandering would be wanting people who agree with you to be all 'yeah, you tell 'em!', and so avoiding anything that would upset your target crowd which tends to result in completely dismissing and/or misrepresenting people and views in your crowd's 'outgroup'?

[Nugtown]

I've heard that all good stories are just "life without the boring parts". I guess it's an important skill to learn when to cut the fat, but also to learn how much to leave in as well. There's another common one that gets around that says to "kill your darlings" or rather, to be ready to trim out things you might like but might not need or have a place for.

[powerplantanimations]

Yeh nailed it on the head. As for the "little guy" statement, I usually think that term implies that you're part of some vocal minority, otherwise the writer thinks it's "me against the world" which doesn't work well.