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Writing tips
By Joe | January 29, 2008
I seem to be getting quite a few emails from people in the UK recently asking how you go about becoming a writer. Funny how things like this come in batches. My first thoughts when I get two or three enquiries a day is that it’s a friend winding me up. I spend time on answering and they come back with ‘Ha! Gotcha, you loser.’ However, it’s not (I think). These are general requests for help, not one of my numpty mates with too much time and too little sense. So I’d thought I’d start sharing my responses. Maybe that way I won’t get so many emails, which means my inbox will have more room for those lovely messages suggesting I improve my manhood, or from my old mate Dr. Rabbadabba Dickmulch who has just inherited £1,000,000 and wants to share it with me, for a small fee.
Anyways, first tip as follows…
If you have all the technical skills necessary for writing, ie a grasp of grammar, an extensive vocabulary and the ability to put words in the right order, the best advice I can give you is to remember this…
The only difference between WANTING to be a writer and actually BEING a writer is that one actually gets words down on paper.
I know from experience that there’s a great deal of excitement to be had from planning your book/feature and imagining it being read by others. Whilst this is definitely part of the writing process, at some stage it must be replaced by actually sitting down and filling the screen. Procrastination is the writer’s worst enemy - apart from a room full of screaming kids, of course.
Get your thoughts down on paper/screen, whatever they may be. Then, when you’ve got enough of them, go back and arrange them into some kind of logical order. NOW you have a book forming.
Topics: Writing tips, General musings |
January 30th, 2008 at 10:43 pm
Hey there Joe. I read your book there about travelling with ketchup then swapping it for salsa then some lads not coughing up for the rent and all that. Anyway i know your Paul and dave (joy’s brothers)I tried to be a writer myself but realised early on that I didn’t have the pens for it. Incidently I am living in new brunswick which is where canada goes to cry and as such would be ideally situated should you wish to leave me out of any travel books you may wish to successfully complete…. too many ‘to’s in that sentence right? I’m right aren’t i? yeah I know… it’s all on the hoof old bean, I am away home…. see ya later
all the best- Mick
March 8th, 2008 at 4:16 pm
Hi Mick
Thanks for the note. Sounds like you’re high on moose droppings, or whatever it is that floats peoples boats in New Brunswick.
Had Paul and Dave staying with us here on the Rock recently. A hoot and a blast that caused a severe dent in my malt whisky stock and a brace of hangovers to rival the best.
From what I hear, I believe you’re into crayons (or is it pencils?). Drop me a note of where I can see some of your stuff. Working on a book that needs some nifty handwork.
Keep warm.
J