Happy New Year, and welcome back from our holiday break at Genreality. We’re wrapping things up this week. Never fear, the blog will stay archived, posts will still be available for reading.
I’ve enjoyed posting here, having a place to put all my thoughts about writing and to share what I’ve learned about the business of writing and publishing. Thanks to all of you who’ve been reading, and especially to those of you who’ve come up to me at signings and conventions to tell me how much you’ve liked the blog. I’m so glad our work here has been useful for you. I’m still blogging at my personal site, and you can also find me on Facebook. I’m sure I’ll have more to say about writing in days to come.
In closing: The question I get asked most, even more than “Where do you get your ideas?” is “What advice would you give to new writers?” I get asked this in interviews, in e-mails, at signings, at parties. I try to condense my response into something short, memorable, true — and practical. Here’s what I say:
Write as much as you can. When you’ve finished and sent off one thing, start the next. Always be working on something new.
Improve your writing as much as you can. You have to get better. Challenge yourself. Write more, write better.
Read as much as you can. Words are tools, you can learn a lot by seeing how other people use them.
Analyze what you read. Figure out what you like, and do that in your writing. Figure out what you hate, and why, and then don’t do that. This is how you get better.
Educate yourself. Know how the business works. Know what a scam looks like. Talk to people. Learn.
Repeat, forever.
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I’m sad to see Genreality closeing its doors per se. I enjoyed reading all your blogs and am thankful some of you have blogs of your own, so I can continue reading.
I’ve not been able to read everyones books that posts here but there on my list and I will eventually get to them. I’m look forward to what each of you do in the furture and hope to even get to meet a few of you at a signing somewhere. (Dragon con anyone?)
Again, thanks Carrie, Sash, Ken, Diana, everyone! Its been an enjoyable ride.
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Carrie, you’ll be able to read more about my thoughts on the blog, and you in particular, tomorrow. I started to write it here and realized it was too long.
For now, I just wanted to say thanks for all the advice, and I second your short & memorable pieces above.
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Thank you for everything! I am sad to see you go. It’s been wonderful to get your advice and wisdom as I make my way through publishing.
All the best to you and Happy New Year!
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Thanks for the comments! Happy New Year!
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I, too, will miss Genreality. Although I am *not* an aspiring fiction author, I have thoroughly enjoyed everyone’s posts & have learned so much about the world of writing & publishing, as well as making dreams come true. Thanks for a wonderful ride!
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Awwwww…. So sad to see you go. The archives will be nice but no new posts?
I second Laurence’s comment, it’s been wonderful to read so much advice and wisdom. Will miss you guys!
With your permission, Carrie, I’d like to share your advice on the Facebook walls of the three writing groups I belong to. I will definitely ‘sign’ YOUR name, of course. I believe these are good words of wisdom to start the New Year.
Blessings and best of luck to all.
Renee-Ann
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Hi Carrie I am so sorry to see you guys go. I should of commented more for all you. I have enjoyed Genreality for the last year and a half and have certainly learned from it. Thank you.
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I enjoyed your post Carrie, it has helped me in so many ways. Thanks for always the feedback when we followed up with your post. It was a great time and I will miss checking this blog, instead of working!
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Good advice and I vow to do these things because I am determined to revise my first book, start my second and get the whole publishing thing going.