One of my nieces is taking entrance exams for secondary schools, and while visiting her this weekend I happened to read the guidance one of the schools gives the children for story-writing under exam conditions. Two particular items caught my eye which I think could be of benefit to all writers, including those of us over the age of 10, so I will share them here:
Don't attempt to write about anything you have not experienced or cannot imagine
and
Try to finish.
(Looks at incomprehensible, unfinished manuscript of new novel, sighs, goes back to work.)
Employee gets laid off due to extreme body odor: ‘I genuinely felt bad for
him. He had only just started the job and hadn’t really had the chance to
show what he could contribute. You could tell he felt embarrassed and
ashamed’
-
To pass the smell test
I felt really identified with this story because I've had to deal with this
issue multiple times in my life. I don't mean with my bo...
2 hours ago
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7 comments:
that's brilliant. Beats any advice Hemmingway ever gave,hands down. x
Great advice: but don't be too hard yourself Marie.
I totally agree with "Don't attmept to write about anything you cannot imagine", but "have not experienced"? Writers do that all the time! Hence, imagination.
I like "try to finish" though. Sigh indeed.
(Looks forward to seeing your new novel on the shelf at the book shop)
I think it's an either / or re have not experienced or cannot imagine. I may have missed out the 'either' by misremembering. I hope so, anyway.
I may also be guilty of giving myself a hard time. Thanks Lisa.
Thank you for advice :)
I read your book 'Gods Behaving Badly'. It was soo great and soo much funny... So amazingly created characters! (Apollon and Aphrodite were my favourite characters)
I'm fifteen and I have blog too and I write short stories...
Uhm...I just tell to you 'Thanks!'
(I'm sorry, my english sucks...)
Your fan from Czech republic
Hello MrsHentai! Thanks for your comment. Your English doesn't suck at all. (And you'll notice I'm not replying in Czech...) So glad you enjoyed the book, I love the way it reaches people in countries I've never visited, in languages I don't speak! Good luck with the blog and with the writing. Marie x
Hey,
I have to warn you that my comment has nothing to do with this post.
So if you're not interested you should stop reading it. like, now.
Anyways.. I've just finished reading "Gods behaving badly" (in it's Hebrew translation), and really loved it. Made me literally laugh out loud. Especially the part when Alice screams and screams and screams and screams.
Can't wait for your next novel,
Amir.
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