The 6 Best Pieces of Writing Advice I've Ever Been Given

We all need these creative reminders sometimes.

Throughout the years I have been given a lot of advice. Most recently as I continue into adulthood, I have been told to work hard, get a good night’s sleep, and always put on moisturizer that has SPF and defends against fine lines. But, that is not the kind of advice I have been thinking about most recently.

As I continue into writing my second real life adult book (I honestly have no idea how else to describe it other than I am writing it both for myself and the hope of publication), I have been thinking back on all the writing advice I have been given since I wrote my first sentence fragment. Some advice has been helpful, others discouraging. 

Now though, as I finally begin to find the groove in my own writing practice and what works to keep me ready to open a document almost every day, some pieces of advice still manages to hold strong.

"You story will always be a copy of another. It will still be your own unique story."

I have heard this advice right along with the whole, “everyone is special” line you get when you’re a kid. A few years back however, while watching Christine Riccio’s (author of Again, But Better and Attached to the Hip) writing journey on YouTube, she explained this piece of advice, or rather reminder given to her by her screenwriting professor in college, best.

We are inspired by everything around us. Movies, other books, nature. But because you are different, and see things different, your story will be different and unique. Perhaps it could even be something the world has been waiting to hear in exact poignant detail.

"A real writer isn't afraid to start over and throw out words." 

Tiffany Reisz, writer of The Original Sinners series and other fantastic novels, said this. Or she at least said some form of these words online somewhere. The moment I heard it, I knew this piece of advice was meant for me.

When something goes wrong in my writing, I am someone who wants to throw it all out and start fresh and build. Maybe, I realized, as long as I did ultimately get to “The End” it was not always a bad thing. With each delete and rebuild comes a stronger foundation.

If the story is meant to be told, you’ll write it again.

"Some words are better than no words."

Need I say more? When you don’t have the time, just think this over and over again. Whether it be a hundred words you have time for or 10 thousand--Write the words.

“You must read in order to write.”

Sometimes writer’s get burnt out. I know I do. As a writer, I create from inspiration and pure willpower. Reading is what first brought me to my interest and joy of writing. Sometimes I have to relax, read a good book, and remind myself of where the joy first came from and what I am working so hard towards.

“Embrace the journey. Find the joy.”

Because not everyday the words flow easily.

“You’re worried about writing because you are a writer, not because you are not.”

I was told this during my senior year of high school by an English teacher who witnessed my slight meltdown after feeling I had nothing left in me to write. I was worried and afraid that this dream of mind to write a novel and create was no longer meant for me as I moved towards college and real life.

When I feel this way, and wonder if I am meant to do something else, I remind myself of Mrs. Brodric and her words of confidence.

Have you ever received a piece of writing or creative advice that has stuck with you?

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