5 Realest Writing Advice From Other Writers

By Samantha Alsina on April 15, 2016

Despite your chosen genre or field of writing you’re pursuing, these top 5 writing advice by various writers all give real insight and guidelines on how to better your work, deal with criticism, and inspire new ideas. They all address and grapple with the most common struggles that come with writing. To look at these quotes or more writing advice by other writers, feel free to go to the link right here.

 

 

One of the most sought writing lists is Zadie Smith’s whose made ten rules of writing which delivers some pragmatic advice on the process of writing.

She says, “Avoid your weaknesses. But do this without telling yourself that the things you can’t do aren’t worth doing. Don’t mask self doubt with contempt.” In other words, craft is about honing your skills on what you write, not be a mastery of every genre or style or whatever.

One of the more surprising people on this list is the well known Mad Men, David Ogilvy. He’s hailed as the father of advertising and was the founder of the advertising agency, Ogilvy & Mathers. Having sent a list of writing tips to his employees, he states an editing practice that is nearly essential for every writer:

“Never send a letter or a memo the day you write it.  Read it aloud the next morning – and then edit it.”

Ogilvy’s advice to put an amount of time between the initial writing and the editing process is a good trick when stuck in a writer’s block but is also a foundational guideline for any writing piece.

In terms of creative writing, here’s one of my favourite writing advice by Ernest Hemingway whose frank advice startles but inspires. Addressing how to generate ideas, Hemingway discusses art and ideas in the following practical advice:

“In any art you’re allowed to steal anything if you can make it better.”

Joan Didion in a similar light muses on short stories and whose keen observation makes it possible to view your own work in a different light.

“Short stories,” she begins “demand a certain awareness of one’s intentions, a certain narrowing of the focus.”

What’s great about her advice is that it helps with concision and understanding how one should relate to their work. In terms of poetry or prose, her advice can be understood like a meditative approach to language and composition. Say the most you can say in the smallest amount of words. That’s the challenge and the goal.

The final and greatest of advice of all is the encompassing words said by James Baldwin the well known poet, essayist, playwright, and novelist.

When he reflects on what motivates a writer to write, he goes on to argue that what motivates a writer is the impenetrable desire to keep writing. He states,

“Talent is insignificant. I know a lot of talented ruins. Beyond talent lie all the usual words: discipline, love, luck, but most of all, endurance.”

Try writing next time with this list in mind. Who knows? Maybe it’ll help. Keep on writing and don’t give up.

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