Posts: 4,481
Threads: 0
Joined: Nov 2012
Learning how to write
05-01-2013, 02:56 PM
Useful advice from one of the most popular bloggers around...
http://www.jamesaltucher.com/2013/05/fearless-blogging/
If what you are writing doesn't scare you a little - then it might be a bit boring.
Posts: 250
Threads: 0
Joined: May 2013
Reputation:
0
Learning how to write
05-01-2013, 08:47 PM
I would say take your 10 favorite authors, analyze their work, and take the best from them. Then, read from 10 more authors. There's a difference between inspiration and regurgitation.
Posts: 4,481
Threads: 0
Joined: Nov 2012
Learning how to write
05-02-2013, 01:24 PM
People talk about editing and rewriting. But for me - it is simply going over what I have written and seeing what I can take out - without changing the meaning.
Simplify and subtract.
Not that I'm a great writer or anything...
Posts: 5,010
Threads: 0
Joined: Jan 2013
Reputation:
80
Learning how to write
05-02-2013, 01:28 PM
Just write a lot. And read too. My writing increased tenfold whilst at University, simply due to the amount of writing that was required. Admittedly, I was decent beforehand as I've always been very linguistic, but still, I improved.
Every normal man must be tempted, at times, to spit upon his hands, hoist the black flag, and begin slitting throats. - H L Mencken
Posts: 209
Threads: 0
Joined: Jun 2013
Reputation:
6
Learning how to write
07-01-2013, 08:35 AM
Good writers read, period. My own favorites: Hemingway, Michener, Thompson, and Conrad. I'm now starting to read William Borroughs (Junkie).I like Borroughs' writing style.
I have one suggestion to anyone who wants to blog or write. Read Old Man and the Sea. For pure simplicity and entertainment, it's one of the best books ever written.
Posts: 218
Threads: 0
Joined: Mar 2013
Learning how to write
08-05-2013, 08:34 AM
Posts: 209
Threads: 0
Joined: Jun 2013
Reputation:
6
Learning how to write
08-06-2013, 08:28 PM
For whatever reasons, I find Ferris extremely irritating. I don't care if he does have several best sellers, he bugs.
Posts: 8,017
Threads: 0
Joined: Nov 2010
Learning how to write
08-06-2013, 08:30 PM
Little known Ferris factoid:
He wrote each of his books in just 4 hours.
Posts: 8,017
Threads: 0
Joined: Nov 2010
Learning how to write
08-06-2013, 08:59 PM
Tomorrow I start the process of writing a book. Just the thought of it makes me tired. My writing sucks so it'll be a learning experience as I go. If I can at least get the basics down, I'll hire a writer to polish it up. I'm swinging for the fences on this one, and want to get picked up buy a publisher.
Posts: 4,481
Threads: 0
Joined: Nov 2012
Learning how to write
09-07-2013, 05:33 AM
Malcolm Gladwel is one of the best (and most successful) non-fiction writers in the world. I am a big fan of his work as well.
Anyway - the following two articles offer an analysis of why his writing is so good. So - it should be of use for those interested in this thread:
https://medium.com/editors-picks/bacac83a1381
http://www.niemanstoryboard.org/2012/03/...m-carmody/
Posts: 4,481
Threads: 0
Joined: Nov 2012
Learning how to write
09-07-2013, 05:35 AM
This is my favourite Malcolm Gladwell essay. It is an analysis of how difficult it is to prevent terrorist attacks.
http://gladwell.com/connecting-the-dots/
Posts: 4,481
Threads: 0
Joined: Nov 2012
Learning how to write
09-26-2013, 01:58 PM
One of my favourite writers is David Sedaris.
What is interesting about him is that he reads out his pieces in public - and uses the feedback (such as the laughs) from the audience to help him edit and modify his work. I always found that an inspiring idea. Since his writing has a definite rhythm and not a single wasted word. And the process he uses to help him write seems to be instrumental in that.
It reminds me that Ernest Hemingway used to read his work out aloud so as to see how it sounded before settling on a final edit.
I imagine this would be a useful tool (even if you only imagine doing it) to help enforce clear voice. And ensuring that every sentence 'earns its keep' by being both interesting and essential.
Here is one of David's public readings. There seem to be alot of them on YouTube.
Posts: 42
Threads: 0
Joined: Mar 2012
Reputation:
4
Learning how to write
09-26-2013, 02:08 PM
One of the things that makes Sedaris a particularly strong writer is that his life isn't nearly as interesting as most people with famous memoirs. If you read between the lines you start to see that most of his stories are drawn from fairly mundane incidents, but he takes his own perception of them and makes it extremely entertaining.
Posts: 4,481
Threads: 0
Joined: Nov 2012
Learning how to write
09-26-2013, 02:35 PM
I find it fascinating how two people can experience the same event. And yet have two totally different ways of describing it and interpreting it.
Events happen. And your personality acts as a filter paper which collects a residue which is unique.
Posts: 207
Threads: 0
Joined: Dec 2013
Reputation:
2
Learning how to write
03-09-2014, 01:34 PM
I'm a writer and writing teacher. Published a lot of stuff but have never seemed to make any money off of anything. Read authors you relate to. Write 20-30 minutes a day. To get started write about any topic.
http://grammar.about.com/od/developinges...iption.htm
Ironically, I know tons of writers, and none know ho to make money off of their work.
lowbudgetballer
Too much drama for a hit it and quit it brutha such as myself
Gotts Money - Law & Order SVU: Wildlife
Posts: 1,131
Threads: 0
Joined: Mar 2014
Learning how to write
03-11-2014, 01:58 AM
I recently had an opinion piece published in a major newspaper, the main spot actually, and got paid for it too, so I've considered trying to make some side income writing freelance for other newspapers and major online websites. Any tips on doing so?
Posts: 1,660
Threads: 0
Joined: Feb 2013
Reputation:
44
Learning how to write
03-11-2014, 01:17 PM
watch Midnight in Paris.
two scoops
two genders
two terms
Posts: 1,618
Threads: 0
Joined: Feb 2014
Reputation:
21
Learning how to write
03-11-2014, 04:23 PM
I think one of the biggest downfalls of people wanting to write is trying to emulate a writer or trying to sound like other writers or people they have read. I really enjoy writing but always thought my writing wasn't good or didn't stack up well against other writers.
I think the secret to writing is to write in your own voice Now granted novels have to be written a certain way and be very descriptive. Technical writing has to be very straightforward and boring. Certain types or styles of writing lend themselves to different types of writers.
I really started enjoying writing more after reading stuff from Keroac and even more modern writers like Tucker Max. I like their free flow style where you don't get hungup on form or format or even grammar or puctuation but write basically just as you would talk and as thoguhts come. Sure it winds up being maybe a bit scatterbrained and unorganized but that's the beauty of it. It's authentic and it comes across as you. The biggest tip I can give you is be yourself and don't try to be someone else.
Now obviously this doesn't lend itself to every style or type of book but work to your strenths. I remember years ago hearing about a newscaster who had a stutter. What did he do? He didn't use words that he knew made him stutter. If your writing style is scatterbrained or you have trouble finding a voice decide to write something personal such as a memoir or stories or whatever and write in your own voice. The more you write the more you'll develope your own style.
