Writing Advice that I Hate (Kind of)
When you or I start out as a fiction writer, you try to suck in as much new information and advice as you can. Some advice can be pieces of gold that help you majorly in the long run, others are best left under the rug. But often the best way to learn something is by doing and learning through personal experience. However, here are a few staple pieces of writing advice that I have grown to resent to a degree, not so much for their intention but by how much they are either misunderstood or shouted out constantly from the rooftops until you develop a headache.
Here are some writing advice that I’ve grown tired of hearing:
Show Don’t Tell
This is one of those Golden Rules that gets bashed over the head of every new beginning writer of fiction. I don’t exactly despise this rule for what it means, but sometimes it gets pushed so hard that the fear of breaking it becomes quite paralyzing to new writers.
At its core, Show don’t Tell can be easy to execute. Use the senses to describe environments or the actions of characters. Use subtext and filters in dialogue to express how some characters may feel without being on the nose about it. Let the physical actions of a character speak for themselves rather than say their emotions outright etc.
Definitely heed the advice of this rule, but I’d ask to not let it loom over you like the sharp scythe of the Reaper pressing against your neck. At it’s very worst, Show don’t Tell is for high-school book reports. At its best, it can be a subtle and quiet tool in your writing toolbox that you naturally develop overtime. Furthermore, there’s also no harm in knowing when to Tell. And it does happen. Nines times out of Ten, please Show by all means, but I believe you ought to know how to do both effectively. A few instances where you could Tell is when discussing the internal monologue of a character, or even Tell if you want to change things up or add dramatic effect, especially at the height of emotions.
2. Write what you know
I often find this one to be heavily misinterpreted. If you know nothing about zebras, then perhaps it’s not good to write a novel about them if you haven’t done any research. If anything, this tip may be misconstrued as overdoing it on the research.
I find that this tip works far better in the context of your own personal experiences and how they can melt into your stories.
Stories that deal with specific themes and problems are better written and more authentic when written by those who know them all too well. For example, as someone who has never fought in a war, it might be difficult or even disrespectful for me to try to write about the trauma and processes of characters who have gone through warfare, at least depending on the context.
Research is one thing if it will help you give authenticity and immersion to your story. It’s part and parcel of why Tom Clancy’s books are so well-received for their uncanny accuracy of real-world military struggles and situations.
Treat this tip lightly, but don’t let it constraint or let it prevent you from learning new things. Some interesting facts I have learnt best when conducting research for my stories.
3. Write everyday
Really?
Every day?
Listen, consistency is key, and having a regular practise of an art will keep you sharp. But as a strong advocator for self-care, I urge you to not push yourself too hard to the point of burnout.
If you plan a schedule or a routine to work on a specific project and give a specific amount of time to writing when you are comfortable, that’s encouraged and perfectly fine. Healthy even.
But don’t think you are any less of a writer by checking in on yourself and taking (not long) breaks. Ironically, I hate when others ask me to take breaks form my writing as that is something I wish to do of my own accord when I feel it’s right.
Hopefully, if you enjoy it well enough, breaks from writing won’t feel like breaks so much as occasional breaths in.
What other writing advice do you despise? Am I wrong about something? If so, give me an earful!
Thank you for reading and have a beautiful day!
Daniel
