I came across a great “craft” book recently, Steal Like An Artist by Austin Kleon. The author talks about 10 things about being creative that he wished someone had told him when he was first starting out.
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From his list of 10 things, which all are great, the following really stood out for me:
#3: Write the Book You Want to Read
“The best advice is not to write what you know, it’s to write what you like. Write the kind of story you like best — write the story you want to read.”
I’m really surprised sometimes when I start talking to a writer who’s stressed about what “idea” will be salable in the market today. I always tell the writer not to stress about what’s selling. Instead concentrate on what makes your fingers itch and your pulse quicken. Write what speaks to your heart. That will show up in your writing. Novels like this usually find their audience. Write what you love. Love what you write.
#8 Be Nice (The World is a Small Town)
“The golden rule is even more golden in our hyperconnected world. An important lesson to learn: If you talk about someone on the Internet, they will find out.”
I’m starting to think Twitter has affected some brains when I see crazy-ass tweets. Or when I see whiny blog posts that *actually* seethe with negativity. Working in the software technology sector, I know deleting a tweet or a blog post doesn’t help. It’s out there FOREVER. It’s much easier to be nice than nasty. Plus it’s exponential: When you support your writer friends, they support you.
#10 Creativity is Subtraction
“Don’t make excuses for not working — make things with the time, space, and materials you have, right now.”
We can get really bummed out if we can’t find time for our writing due to our family and/or job responsibilities. I’m personally learning this year to just work with what I have — no matter if it’s 15 minutes or 3 hours of time. Fretting about what you *don’t* have just makes you grumpy and then no writing gets done. Take it on a day by day basis and enjoy the journey of your novel. Little steps make a big difference. Frustration and resentment yields no progress.
Wow, that sounds great. I’ll have to get myself a copy! It’s all so true!
I really enjoyed reading this book. I think you would enjoy it.
Creativity is subtraction. GENIUS. I love that. I’m totally going to check out that book. It sounds awesome. :)
I love the fact that you have to learn to create with what you have too.
Great post! I love number 3–Write the story you want to read. This makes huge sense to me. I can’t imagine spending time, blood, sweat, and tears on a manuscript that I am not enjoying. Steal Like an Artist may have to be my next craft book purchase. Thanks for sharing, Karen!
You spend a lot of time on a novel project. I can’t even imagine writing something that I wouldn’t want to read myself.
Totally agree with Cynthia. Why would I want to spend time writing something that even I don’t want to read?
Great post, Karen. Very enlightening. :)
Glad you liked the post! :) I couldn’t write something just to make money. Ha, I already have a day job to pay bills. :)
Sounds like a great book! The first point is exactly what I needed to hear today. I’m brainstorming a new book and find myself thinking too much about what would sell. I should stop worrying about that and write a book from my heart.
It’s like a catch-22. You love an idea but then the doubts creep in of if it can sell. I always go for the love and worry about the sell later.
Sounds like a great book. I like these points you’ve shared here. Thanks!
So glad that you enjoyed these three. The other seven are great too.
I think it’s so important to write what we love to read. I do that now all the time!
When I saw that your novel was a mystery, I was like “Of course!” I know how much you like mysteries so I wasn’t surprised at all.
This book sounds terrific, exactly what writers need to hear. #3 is especially true!!
You should check it out. Lots of good gems in this book.
TOTALLY agree with #3. I always think about that when someone in the industry says, “Oh, historical fiction is dead in YA.” Whether it’s true or not is irrelevant. I write what I wanna read! Nice to see it articulated in that way.
Well you went with what you loved and ultimately your book found a fabulous publisher. I know you much you love history so I’m glad that you kept writing CLEOPATRA’S MOON.
Fantastic advice, and so very true. If I wrote what I know (‘day’ job) it would kill part of me. I love the advice of writing a novel you’d want to read. That’s brilliant!
Exactly. This is why your novels shine because I know you are passionate about your characters and storyline. :)
These are all great points. I’m going to check out the link. Thanks, Karen. Have a great week.
Glad you enjoyed the post. :) You should definitely check out the book.
That is probably the best writing advice, and I’ve heard it before, but it’s refreshing to hear it again: write the book you want to read. In the current climate of dystopian future popularity, it’s good to be reminded that there’s a reader out there who wants something new — and if you are the reader, you can write that book. :-)
Thanks for stopping by and leaving a comment. I have always believed that if you write what you love even if it’s not considered “hot” it will still find its readers.
I love the first one. When you consider how long we spend planning, writing the first draft, and revising, you had better love your story otherwise you’re going to be miserable. And that WILL show up in the writing and in the story. And you never know. Your novel might lead to the next trend. :D