eWriteLife Blog

“Only a mediocre writer is always at his best.”
- W. Somerset Maugham

As writers, we often delude ourselves into thinking that we must always be inspired to write. If it’s not ‘inspired writing’ - it’s not writing at all.

Maybe there’s some truth in it.

But then, as many writers who depend on written words for food, rent, and shelter can attest: We can’t always depend on inspiration. There are times when we just have to do it. Write, that is.

So, we draw our inspiration not on the whispering winds or the majestic sunsets, but at the thought of eviction or that gurgling stomach. Or, from anything else that makes us bleed words on that empty page.

Maybe that’s why Pearl Buck ended up saying: “I don’t wait for moods. You accomplish nothing if you do that. Your mind must know it has got to get down to work.”

So, we plough on: word after word after word. Until we reach that goal - and deadline. Or rather, lifeline.

That is why I’m here. Stuck, but here nevertheless. This can remind us that though there will be times when we feel stuck and uninspired, we can still keep writing.

How about you? What do you when you get stuck and uninspired? Do you have tips for other writers on how to get ‘unstuck’ and write with or without inspiration?

Note: This was previously published in a slightly different format at Suite101.com. I’m the original author, of course. So I have the right to reprint this. And, so far, I haven’t given permission to anyone else to do the same.

(?) Question from Jaye A. Clarke and Denise:

How do you critique a book or write a book review?

(!) Answer from Kevin Tipple:

Well, whether it is an author that I have never read before or an old favorite, I make sure I have a small pad of paper with me to make notes as I begin the book. I jot down the title, author, publication date, ISBN, and publisher.

As I read the book, I make notes to myself of the names of the characters and how they are related in the story. I look at tense and point of view, along with writing style and a basic description of events. As I move through the book, I concentrate more and more on the narrative style of the author and the story he or she is telling. Does it work for the reader or are there basic holes in the story?

One of the things I avoid at all cost when I write a review is giving away all the events that happened in the book. Too many times, I have read reviews where the reviewer told everything that happened in the work. Why read the book if you already know how it is going to turn out?

What I attempt to do is give a more detailed explanation than what is on the book jacket, at the same time not giving away too much information. I want to help the potential reader make a decision whether this book is interesting to him or her, without ruining the book. And, believe me, if someone feels that you ruined the book for him or her, they will most certainly tell you about it!

(?) Question from Rick:

I just began to write my first book and am having a little trouble. The reason is probably that I read great authors books and expect my writing to sound a lot like theirs. If anyone can help me get over this please reply. Thanks.

(!) Answer from WellStar:

I have been working on a book for almost ten years and have finally gotten to the point that I am making progress. So , for what it is worth, here goes.

Have your story done to completion before you begin. By that I mean do what is necessary to assure yourself that you know who the characters are and what is going to happen. Outline, outline, outline. You can change things and make adjustments as you go but if you have no idea where you are headed, it is difficult to get anywhere. I have outlined the lives of almost all of my characters and made notes on their personalities. Not in the beginning, but it became necessary if I was going to keep them straight in my mind and see they did not act out of character.

As a scene comes to mind, write it. You don’t have to wait until you arrive at that part of the book to write what is happening. Write the ending first, if that is what you have fixed in your mind. Write that dinner conversation, that day at the beach, the battle, the @#%$ scene — carefull on the @#%$ scenes; they can run away with you — that court scene you have already finished in your mind.

Establish a schedule to write and then stick to it. If you write full time, then write at least five days a week, then schedule days off to run errands. If you have to set up something to write, do it before your scheduled time. Do not waste time sharpening pencils when you should be writing. But also schedule time for recharging your batteries.

Revise, revise, adjust, edit. Many first novels are unpublishable but that doesn’t mean they are not good stories. The normal, and most boring, novel begins at the begining, moves along in normal time sequence narrative, climaxes and then finishes. Try something else. And remember that a novel is either a series of stories joined by characters or a series of characters joined by stories. Hemingways first attempt at a novel was ‘The Sun Also Rises’ (’Fiesta’ in Europe). It is actually three short stories joined by characters. Make it interesting and fresh for the reader. And your potential publisher.

Continue reading ‘Starting a Book: Writers Helping Out!’

Do you know how other writers gather inspiration? Answer this trivia and see - Match the author and “inspiration techniques” accordingly.

Writers
1) Thornton Wilder
2) Ernest Hemingway
3) Willa Cather
4) Rudyard Kipling

“Inspiration Techniques”
a) wrote in pencil on onionskin
b) takes long walks before working
c) wrote with blackest ink on special blue paper
d) reads the bible every day

Read on for the answers…

Continue reading ‘Writers Trivia: Inspiration by Writers’

A few years ago, I run a “Favourite Writing Stuff Survey”. A few writers by the name of Nancy, Teresa, Louise, Paul, Carol, Sharon, Margery, Barb, Ken, and Ern took part in the survey, along with a few other writers. And, I’d like to share the results of the survey again right here.

First, off we’ve got the following:

Self-Editing for Fiction Writers by Renni Browne & Dave King
Louise Dumont Says: “It not only tells you what NOT to do but it gives you an example of something written in passive voice and THEN shows you how to correct it!”

Other Pluses: a “Show & Tell” chapter, well written with many examples

* Stein on Writing by Sol Stein
Writer Says: “Loaded with helpful info, but especially on characterization.”

Continue reading ‘Favourite Writing Books By Writers (Part I)’

Tip #6 from How to Increase Your Chances of Publication

Repeat after me: “There’s no such thing as getting blocked or stuck.” OK, maybe that’s exaggerating it a bit. Of course, there will be days when you simply can’t write. But, even during those days, try to keep your writing appointment.

You can’t increase your chances for publication if you’ve got nothing to submit. So, keep writing! Once you’ve finished a project, send it off and work on a new project.

If you’ll do the numbers of statistical probability (and common sense :-)), you’ll realise that prolific writers have more chances for publication. Of course, they might also get more rejections. But, if the probability is 1:10 (1 acceptance out of every 10 submissions), then you’ll possibly get more acceptances if you come up with 100 submissions, right?

Your Assignment: Set up a writing appointment. How much time can you dedicate to writing? Just one hour a week? Never mind. Just stick to that appointment and produce as many works as you can. Then, every time you finish something, get it out of the way by submitting it to a publication.

Oh, and yes…

Never, *Never* Give Up

So, you’ve tried all these things and nothing seems to happen? Keep trying! I believe passion and dedication are two of a writer’s best capital in the publishing business. Don’t ever run out of those things and declare bankruptcy.

If you’ve read this far, I know you’ve got what it takes to get your writing going. Let me know whenever you get that byline, OK?

Tip #5 from How to Increase Your Chances of Publication

Be it an email or a manuscript, don’t settle for anything less than the best you can do. Always run your work through spelling and grammar checks. Also, it won’t hurt if you learn the proper formatting and if you consult some style guides.

Yes, your work may not always be “squeaky clean” and perfectly typo-error-free - but at best, you know you gave it your all. No matter how others may respond to your work, you always end up a winner this way.

When I was working on my About.com site, I know I was doing it all on spec at first. I also knew I had competition. I could’ve said: “It’s no use!” during the over-a-month-long training. But I decided that the job was too important for me. I wanted to have it. And I wanted it real bad.

So, I researched for many hours, brainstormed, wrote, edited, asked my husband to re-edit, re-wrote, and re-wrote some more. I checked what other About.com Guides are doing and tried to exceed what I saw.

You could guess how I felt when I received that email saying: “Congratulations! - ” I still have a long, looonnnggg way to go. But it sure feels good to be a part of of the biggest web companies (recently acquired by The New York Times) - and to see my work being viewed by thousands of readers every day.

So yes, don’t let competition get to you. Always, always give it your best shot and prove that you’re the one who could write that article (or story or novel or column). And, if you really created a knock-them-off-their-socks package, you’d surely get published. Not just once, but many times over.

Your Assignment: Which market did you choose to write for? Study the best article, the best stories, or the best poetry they’ve got. You’ll know this based on headlines, endorsements, and if applicable, reader responses. Compare it with your work and/or current projects. Are there similarities and differences? Then, find ways on how you can make your work better.

Tip #4 from How to Increase Your Chances of Publication

I share this tip again and again because I find this a really rewarding way towards publication. If you’re a part of writers’ groups (or at least, writing partnerships), you’ll get loads of benefits including getting “leads” and valuable feedback on your work.

When I first met Aileen Suquila-Santos, a very good writing (and now, all-around) friend, I was only working on a couple of paid writing gigs. So, she told me about the gigs she’s working on at the time and encouraged me to submit. I did the same with her. Now, almost every gig she got, I got it too. And vice versa. Now, is that a great way to find more publishing stints or what?

But, that’s just one example. I’ve created several writing and teaching opportunities by networking as well. So, go ahead and look at your existing network and see who can help you in your writing life. If there’s no one, see if someone can introduce you to someone else.

Of course, one quick way to get around networking is by joining writers groups.

Your Assignment: If you’re not a member of any writing group just yet, go and find one today. You may want to start with your local writers groups and/or you may consider taking part in my online writers’ group. Zero-in on about one or two writing buddies that you may want to get to know on a more personal level. The friendships you’ll find along the way may or may not get you published, but the rewards you’ll get from such relationships are priceless.

Tip #3 from How to Increase Your Chances of Publication

Whether you’re asking for writers’ guidelines, pitching in an idea, or submitting a complete manuscript - writing great letters is a good thing to practice. I have gotten some good writing leads just based from “letters to the editor” that I sent out.

Once, I sent a congratulatory letter to a freelance writer whose work I admired. The said writer wrote back to me in excitement and came up with several proposals and a paid writing job. And, another time, I received a lucrative freelance writing gig just based from a letter to an editor I wrote. Yes, the editor-in-chief of a national glossy magazine wrote back to me with a writing job offer.

So, start writing those letters! Some basic tips that you might want to pick up are as follows:

• When requesting for guidelines or sending out congratulatory notes, don’t just give a one-liner. Emails like “guidelines please” or “congrats!” just won’t cut it. Give a brief background of your work and perhaps a relevant URL or two. Tell him or her why you’re requesting for guidelines or why you think the work you’re commenting on deserves merit. This may or may not get you anywhere - but it’s definitely good writing practice.
• Don’t overdo it! If you’re simply inquiring about a possible writing job, don’t send out a complete manuscript and/or your two-page resume. Unless, of course, it was asked for by the editor or publisher.
• When sending out a manuscript, do include a brief note to the editor or publisher. Let him or her know how you found out about their publication, why you like to submit your work with them, and a brief writing background. Don’t leave your recipient guessing about that submission.
• Don’t hesitate to follow up. Sometimes, mails get lost and you don’t receive any response. Don’t fume just yet! Write again without sounding demanding. Editors and publishers are busy, buuusssyyy people. So, don’t bug them too much either :-D.
• Sending out queries won’t hurt you. Sure, you might be ignored. Sure, you might get rejected. Sure, you just might hit the jackpot. What are the chances? Well, you’ll not find out unless you try. Go for it!

Your Assignment: Practice writing cover letters and queries. Remember the guidelines you’ll collect for the market study? Try and send out one query within this week.

Tip #2 from How to Increase Your Chances of Publication

Some people believe that the only way they’d get published is if they have clips. But, it seems like clips only come to those who get published. Yeah, the classic chicken-and-egg thing.

However, I don’t believe that this is still the case now. Especially not when there are so many avenues for writers. Thanks to the web, it is one of the best times to pursue one’s writing dreams.

If you’re just starting out, I recommend that you limit your target market into about 5 to 7 at first. Also, try to move from low-end market to the high-end market. This will build your confidence and your portfolio.

If you’re already a published writer, then having a good portfolio is no longer a problem. Just make sure your clips are e-friendly especially if you want to get into web writing.

What are e-friendly portfolios or clips?

These are submissions that you send through email in text- only format. So, do learn art of submitting ASCII text Sticking to blocked paragraphs, keeping away from the tab key, and avoiding “curly quotes” are just a few things to keep in mind.

Also, a portfolio of your work in a simple web site, starting your own weblog, or saving your work in .pdf formats are also good ideas to consider.

Your Assignment: If you don’t have a web site and/or web log yet, start one soon. I understand if you don’t feel like learning HTML and all that stuff. There are sites that offer free sites that are HTML-free anyway. Especially with web logs, you can easily start one without knowing much technical stuff.