Writing advice for non-absolute beginners

[inkdust]

Amend the click-bait style title to add "...if you already know what you're doing." I was pleasantly surprised by this list because it seems to articulate some of what we've said about writing advice (I know at least I've said it) - that so much is directed toward total beginners, stated as utter absolutes, and ends up running counter to our instincts as storytellers. This list is intended as an antidote.

"The Ten Worst Pieces of Writing Advice You Will Ever Hear" [if you already know what you're doing]

What do you all think?

Comments

[serria]

Thanks for posting this - it's an awesome reaction for those creative writing class commandments, thou shalt not use adverbs, etc. Writing is like any art. There are guidelines out there that can help you develop your skills and put a lot of critical thought into the craft, but in the end, most of it is just current popular opinion among critics on what constitutes good writing. Not that it's outrageous to advise that we think about showing, not telling, or making our sentences stronger by eliminating useless words. But I think worrying about them too much just stifles creativity and natural, authentic writing. That was my experience, anyway, after taking my first creative writing course.