Writing Advice Friday

Good Evening Lovelies!!! I hope the last couple of days have been great for you all. Honestly… I COULDN’T WAIT TO POST AGAIN!!!

As promised, today is Friday, and I will be sharing some words of wisdom from the ones that came before us. I had planned to just do one author’s advice, but seeing as I’m ecstatic to be here with you all and to get us started… I’m going to share words of wisdom from TWO authors. Too much of something surely can’t be a bad thing, right???

The first author I’m going to share writing advice from is John Steinbeck. He was an American novelist that lived from 1902 to 1968. He is known for many novels and novellas, but the most popular one being The Grapes of Wrath.

“When I face the desolate impossibility of writing 500 pages, a sick sense of failure falls on me, and I know I can never do it. Then gradually, I write one page and then another. One day’s work is all I can permit myself to complete.”

Of all the quotes I researched today, this one I have to say hit me the hardest. Just the thought of having to write all those pages gets me anxious, almost to the point of no return. That is when I have to take a deep breath, and remember this WILL happen with time, and most of all… patience and persistence.

Our final quote for this evening comes from Beverly Clearly. She is an American author of children’s fiction and young adult fiction. One of her best-known books is Ramona and Beezus. At 104, this young lady is still kicking it, which is something to be very proud of ESPECIALLY nowadays.

“If you don’t see the book you want on the shelf, write it.”

I can’t tell you how many times this has punched me in the face. I’m considering this quote to be my first tattoo, just so I’ll have it with me always. We all have our favorite types of stories, ones we prefer to read, ones that we hate… and ones we REALLY wish we hadn’t.

STORY TIME: I read a series one time (no, I’m not going to tell you which one it was… and NO it wasn’t The Twilight Saga), there was just so much going on. The protagonist went through so much to the point they couldn’t catch a break. The antagonists were never ending it seemed, and when one was defeated… SURPRISE they’re not actually dead. By the time I got to the last book, I did start to read it, but the series had already drained the life out of me, I skipped to the last 2 chapters and finished the series off that way.

We, as writers, definitely do not want to do that. I don’t want my stories, or my future novels, to drain the life out of anyone. I want my stories to be an escape for anyone and everyone. What disappointed me the most about that series… it was a “reboot” of one of my favorite stories of all time, however when I began reading I was let down so hard by what was on the pages… and the more I read, the more disappointed I became. Again, this goes back to Beverly’s advice. I’m going to write the book I want to read. How about you all?

Well, that’s all for today everyone!!! I hope you enjoyed the words of wisdom on Writing Advice Friday. On Monday, we begin practicing our Creative Writing!!! Enjoy your weekend!!!

Love, Leslie