Hi everyone,
I've just discovered a wonderful article containing some very original (and useful) tips for new writers. It's written by Cory Doctorow and, if you don't get to read it, at least take this one piece of advice from him ...
Write for 20 minutes at day, that's all, then stop. Do this EVERY day (and let's face it, it's not impossible to find 20 spare minutes a day) and you'll find you've written a novel in less than a year.
But that's not all he says. Have a read for yourself. It's great!
http://www.locusmag.com/Features/2009/01/cory-doctorow-writing-in-age-of.html
Let me know what you think.
Michael
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
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6 comments:
I read that article too and have started putting it into practice.
My old aim of 3000 words per week wasn't working. But 250 words per day taking only 20 minutes is something I can manage. Especially when slotting it in around work and kids.
BTW, I got some more positive comments about your visit with us at Boroondara. Thanks again!
Great to hear from you Jonathan. I'm so glad people liked my flying tour of the Booroondara libraries. I really enjoyed the day too!
Isn't this article great. It makes you realise that writing a novel isn't a full-time job for a year. It's not a terrible mountain to climb. It's just a task you have to chip away at over a long, and enjoyable, period of time. It's a daydream you're playing with for a whole year. I reckon that Doctorow guy is very clever!
Hey there Michael, here I am. It's been awhile. I'e been so involed in my stories!
Haha, I sort of broke this fella's rule to stay off "Distractions" while writing by checking your blog. Oh well, it was worth it.
I think that article was quite close to genius. I don't know how many times I've been so busy looking up things on the internet to add into my story that I used up all my time.
Though doing exactly 20 minutes every day is difficult, and stopping at your goal is also difficult. It's just as good, if not better, as reading a book written by an amazing author! You can't put it down!
Speaking of which, I finally got my dirty little hands on one of your books. Sheesh! It took until now. Shows how popular they are. Well, I read it, and I enjoyed it, and I laughed at it and whatnot. It was (for lack of a better phrase) very good, and very funny. Very nice in contrast with the John Marsden books, where someone dies every 3 pages.
In short, loved it. Hilarious. I was so involved that I missed out on ball games at the Sports Carnival.. Oops!
Gee, that was longish. I really can't help myself.
Glad you liked my book, Ailish. Which one was it? Yeah, I'm not quite as dark as John Marsden, although the book I'm writing at the moment, about Eddie Innocent, is much darker than the Undys or Maxx Rumble!!
Ah, it was One Wacky Week.
Managed to get another one. Hehe. That one was Itching For Action and it was just as good as One Wacky Week (if not better, if that's possible for the second book to be read. Isn't the first one you read always supposed to be the best?).
Can't wait to read your book about Eddie Innocent.
Still thanking you for the writing tips too, by the way.
That's lovely feedback thanks Ailish. I'm so glad you liked them!! Yeah, maybe Itching for Action is the best of the Undys books. Hmm?
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