Richard Laymon’s Rules of Writing
Writing by Jana on Thursday, 26 of June , 2008 at 2:01 pm
I’ve read a few books over the years about writing fiction; none of them have ever done anything for me other than give that initial burst of inspiration that feels so damn good at the time but is very short-lived. Kinda like crack cocaine, I guess; but less expensive.
A couple of those books have managed to stick with me, but not in any substantial way. I also know a few writers who spend more time reading books about writing than actually doing the writing; the real work that has nothing to do with dreams and aspirations and lofty ideals, but with work. Because writing is hard. Preaching to the converted, I suppose, but I’ve been feeling lately as though I’m in a creative dump and it really does bear repeating that the craft of writing takes extreme dedication and practice and effort. And I’m not the only one feeling as though everything I pen is riddled with cliche’s and obvious bad grammar and infantile prose.
So I guess my point is: stop reading dozens of books about creative writing! But do read Richard Laymon’s Rules of Writing, because it’s the most concise and realistic advice I’ve ever gotten, and you may just agree.
Or maybe my point is that writing is hard work and no book will provide you with all the answers you need. I don’t know, I think my real problem is that it’s the middle of the afternoon and I need to be fed.
Category: writing
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