Recently, some damn fool was just damn-fool enough to ask me for advice: “What one thing would you say to someone who wants to write?”
Well, writing is hard enough without having to worry about what others think or whether your “facts” are “correct” or if there should’ve been a comma just then or a semicolon or an umlaut (or even if some guy thinks it’s kinda douchey that you’re writing a post about giving writing advice, even if that guy is you).
So I’d say don’t sweat it. Enjoy the process, the journey, the coming-up-with-junk. The imperfection. Don’t be paralyzed by precious. Just write more and more without thinking so much about the little details like “grammar” and “quality.” Have fun writing. Be a writer not a Wrote. Done is overrated. But wait, that’s not my one thing.
Right is overrated. That’s my one thing right there. And yes, it took me a little too long to get to it, but I don’t care because, you know, all that stuff I said up there.
I don’t fancy myself much of a writer. (In fact, I’m embarrassed that I just used “fancy” as a verb.) I just try to make myself laugh or tear-up or throw up in my mouth a little bit (and then I immediately regret using that last one which jumped the shark probably a decade ago on one of those episodes of Friends where Chandler did something that made the others wonder why they were all still hanging out with this guy who’s really not as good looking as the rest of us).
So I just write. And yes, sometimes I write about what I know. That’s what they say, right? “Write about what you know.” Okay. But what about writing about what you don’t know? Making stuff up? Sure, it’ll be all sorts of wrong, but so what? It’ll be interesting and weird and unique and a whole new kind of wrong for both you and the reader. And that’s okay. It’s just writing. And sentence fragments.
And random paragraph breaks. And it’s not like you removed some guy’s heart and put it back in upside down. It’s just writing. Take a risk. Write blind. Write fast. Write dumb. Hit publish. Then do it again. Right or wrong.
shouldn’t there be a link for us to sign up for a seminar or something?
God no.
and I loved it…very inspiring as well as honest. You are very talented!
Thank you. As I get older I’m finding it takes too much time and effort to fake it. So in the end, I’m really just lazy.
I realized this at age 18 my grip on reality is tight, I love writers like your self because you inspire writer like me who want to grow up to be as creatively agile. keep it up I’m watching/reading!
love your blog as well!
You never cease to amaze me. Your posts, whether well thought out or just thrown together, always leave me with the same thought. Wow. I can’t help but fancy your blog Mike.
I cease to amaze many, Wendy. But thank you. Very kind.
Nah….I disagree. And I’m disappointed that you didn’t notice that I used fancy as a verb…
Oh I noticed. I just didn’t want to condone.
I took a writing class once where the teacher told us to turn off our monitors (that was directed toward us control freaks).
Just start typing whatever comes into your head, and edit it later. I’ve passed along that bit several times. So far, no takers! Would you try it?
Absolutely. You mean here? Now? Well, ironically, I’m very concerned that once I get to the end of this comment it will be sucky, or will be a-foot-and-half long because I didn’t stop writing until i was happy or at least it wasn’t totally sucky.
(I was happy there.)
Thought I’d mention two things.
I know someone who, during an in-class essay was just staring at his paper. THe teacher came up and asked what was wrong. He replied,
“I’m waiting for the red underline to tell me if I spelled this word correctly.
Or I got that from somewhere else, I’m not too sure. My mind is a bit muddled.
Also, as for writing and being ‘right’,
“It is hard enough to remember my opinions, without also remembering my reasons for them!”
~Friedrich Nietzsche
um, i loved this post. loved.
And I, your comment.
love this: “…and it’s better and wrong and beautiful.”
good post.
By far, my favourite post of yours, or anyone’s, for that matter. 5 stars. Like.
Wow. Thank you. You win the comment competition. (Though if someone else can get me on the writing staff for Letterman I’ll have to open up voting again. Sorry.)
But that might make Letterman, you know, funny.
Awesome read in the middle of a mediocre work day. I might start saying Opey-Stopey now…
Do it! Let’s make it huge!
Having read most of your writings and get impressed by them, reading grammar don’t matter is a relief from the advice and giving us laymen a vote of confidence.
Thanks. And I’m a “lay” as a man can get.
I enjoy reading your post and this one was informative and witty too. You make some good points about writing sir and I agree with most of them. It is a rare time where I sit down and plot my words, most of the time I just plop them down. Wow I cannot beilive I really typed that. Anyway it is very true that one should just take a swing at it. I do not think that writing is for everyone, and I realy question if I should do this anymore. The truth is that you will never know if you are a writer until you give it a try. That and until your ready don’t be too serious, your never going to want to write if you don’t find it to be fun. FYI if “Opey-stopey” is great, my son beats his Toy Story gmae and shouts “I winned Daddy!” and I love it.
Thanks for that.
Call me Pollyanna, but I DO think writing is for everyone. Anyone can do it. It’s just that not everyone does. And does it enough. And never-ever gives up finding their voice.
Writing is always hiring.
And who’s to say what “success” is? When can you call yourself a “Writer?” Only when you’re published? When writing puts food on your table? When it makes you happy?
It isn’t that I think that some people cannot write. What i mean is that not everyone will want to write. I think that people can do what ever they set their mind to and that is what I try to teach my kids. I just like to make sure no one passes up a chance to try something they normally wouldn’t do without giving it an honest try before dismissing it.
You are correct about success it has many definitions, as a matter of fact I have 7 whole followers and that is more than I ever asked for and it makes me feel pretty darn good. I hope I didn’t offend at all, I love to write and I think that everyone should find their passion whether it be writing or making pies.
… and no offense at all. No worries. I love it.
Hitting publish freaks me out! But so does jogging. The hardest part is putting your shoes on.
simply awesome. Happy V Day!
I usually prefer okie and/or dokie. Because sometimes it’s just too small of a space to have them both.
One of the things I love about writing is the ability to create new words, define them, and add them to urbandictionary.com. If nothing else, I’ll point my kids in that direction when they ask what I’ve published.
Introdouche: Urbandictionary.com
The way in which a douchebag would go about introducing his/herself, bragging about their meaningless accomplishments in an attempt to impress you
Awemment. An awesome comment.
Love it! Excellent advice, AND. A fun read! Thanks for the inspiration.
I like your take on writing…. very inspirational to me, knowing that I don’t have to be “perfect” when I write and just to enjoy it.
You’re absolutely right Mike. If you’re not having fun you shouldn’t be doing this.
Thanks for the reminder that perfection is not always necessary. Sometimes you just have to write for writing’s sake and enjoy the process. What a great blog! Glad I stumbled upon it
Great advice. Thank you!
Mike, I am very happy that I found you on WordPress. I really look forward to your blogs.