 Fantasy: September 27, 2017 Issue [#8522] |
  Fantasy
This week: Writing Advice Edited by: Robert Waltz  
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Good advice is always certain to be ignored, but that's no reason not to give it.
-Agatha Christie
When you encounter seemingly good advice that contradicts other seemingly good advice, ignore them both.
-Al Franken
The only thing to do with good advice is to pass it on. It is never of any use to oneself.
-Oscar Wilde |
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Recently, a forum post linked to this page of writing advice:
http://ocwriters.network/2017/08/29/top-10-writing-myths-holding-back/
If you're so inclined, take a look at that list (it's Part 1; the link to Part 2 is down below the comments). But I'm not going to address the specific points that author makes; what I have to say this week is more about advice in general.
In the years I've been doing these newsletters, I've given plenty of advice. I've even taken my own advice from time to time. Thing is, though, I've found that few people are willing to take someone else's advice - even if they asked for it. Sometimes, especially if they asked for it.
It's even worse for writers, I think. Writers are, after all, readers, and if there's one trope that holds true across all genres of fiction, it's this: In a story, advice given is never taken.
Think about it. Have you ever read a book, or seen a show, in which someone gives well-intentioned advice, and the advisee actually follows it? I can't think of any examples, myself, but I'm sure you can think of plenty of examples of advice not taken.
"Don't stray from the path."
*Characters stray from the path.*
"Don't wander off."
*Characters wander off.*
"Whatever you do, don't press the red button."
"You mean this one?" *Click*
In fact, if someone in a story gives someone else some advice, and the advice gets followed, well... that would leave the reader hanging, wouldn't it? We all want to know what happens.
So we writers, conditioned to this trope, probably tend to ignore advice at a higher rate than the general population.
I've always wanted to put a sign on a door in my house going, "Never open this door!" On the other side, of course, would be nothing but a motion-activated camera so I can catch people opening the door. But they don't have to know that. For all they know, I have clowns hidden away in there. Or spiders. Or clown spiders. Anyway, not going to happen because I never have guests anymore (probably something to do with the spiders).
So, knowing this, I have just one sentence of advice for you:
Never take any writing advice, ever. |
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And here I was planning to write a fantasy for NaNoWriMo this year. Wanna be my tutor? 
