One of the most important things a published writer can—and should—do is give back.
By that, I mean when someone comes to you with questions, answer them. Answer them as fully and truthfully as you can. It’s what I’ve always endeavored to do.
Writing is not a zero-sum game; my success does not mean less success for you, nor vice-versa. When you win, we all win. I’d love to see you reach the top of the charts.
Some questions I get are thoughtful, interesting queries into the business of writing, or ask about the pros and cons of traditional-versus-indie publishing. I love diving into those arenas. And if I don’t know an answer, I make recommendations as to where the person could find what they’re looking for.
But there’s one particular word that pops up in questions that I consider a red flag. In some cases it's innocent enough and I’ll do the best I can to answer. In most instances, however, it alerts me that someone doesn’t want to do the work.
The word?
Tips.
Not a week goes by that I don’t receive messages and emails from people who long to write and publish. Hell, that’s one of the reasons I launched Big Fat Words, because I know countless millions of people harbor a desire—often a secret desire—to write a book.
But many of these notes start with the same six words: "Can you give me some tips . . .”
Maybe it’s just my own personal bias, based on what I perceive is really going on: Somebody wanting not information, but a shortcut.
Let me share my email response to a young man who started by asking for general “tips” on writing. I wrote back, probing to see how committed he was to actually working on his craft, and I included this question: “Do you read every day?”
I wasn’t trying to be funny or sarcastic. I was truly curious. To me, writers read, daily.
He immediately wrote back and doubled down: “I need tips on being descriptive. I don’t know how reading will help me with that. That’s why I’m asking for tips from you.”
I’m going to use this space to share my response to his follow-up, edited to protect his identity. You may think I'm full of it, and that's fine. But my words are heartfelt, and I do feel I’ve given the best possible answer for this young man and for anyone else who wants general “tips.”
Judge for yourself:
Hey Jaden,
I’m about to throw down some tough love you will not want to hear. Prepare yourself.
I appreciate the fact that you’re anxious to increase your knowledge about writing. I think that’s cool, and I encourage it.
But what I wrote back to you last time was sincere. Tips on being descriptive? The only tip I have is to constantly read and study how different authors do it.
Tips on dialogue? Read a bunch of novels and see how various authors do it. Some of them, like Elmore Leonard, are (in my opinion) masters of dialogue.
Tips on pacing? Tips on first paragraphs? Tips on setting?
Jaden, there just are no shortcuts for learning these things. There are no “tips.” Take 100 writers and they’ll have 100 different ways of being descriptive. Then 100 other writers will have 100 different ways of creating tone, mood, and writing dialogue.
Tips are like looking for a YouTube shortcut, like learning how to install a furnace filter. With writing, there are no shortcuts. The only way you learn is to read and to write. Every single day.
You won’t copy anyone else. That’s not what I’m saying. But you’ll gradually develop your own style based on the variety of other writing styles you’ve absorbed.
The stuff you write today will suck compared to what you write a year from now. And a year after that your writing will be much better again. I’ve never read a “how to” book on writing. My how-to books were just other books.
Are there books on the craft of writing? Sure. And many of them could be helpful. One of the few I’d recommend is by the guy I mentioned above. “Elmore Leonard’s 10 Rules of Writing” is one of the best ever, and he obviously feels the same way about tips that I do.
But if you’re curious about being descriptive, there’s no tip—just pick up a really good book, a classic like “To Kill a Mockingbird,” and see how Harper Lee described the town of Maycomb. You don’t even have to wade too far into it; she launches into a gorgeous description about three pages in. Find the paragraph that begins, “Maycomb was an old town . . .” and you will feel like you're really there.
I guarantee you any other author would’ve described it in a completely different way. So what tip would Harper give compared to these other writers?
When I think of the very best books on writing, I think of Anne Lamott’s “Bird By Bird,” or Stephen King’s “On Writing.” They’re not holding your hand and giving you tips on how to write a good sentence. They’re climbing inside your head and helping you learn how to be a writer, not how to write. There’s a big difference.
We don’t learn writing by getting tips, nor by seeing how ONE person does it. We each have our own style, and we get inspired by reading the hard work that another author has invested into a book or short story. We slowly—and that’s the key—we slowly grasp the nuances of writing and telling a story.
I know you want tips and shortcuts, but I don’t want to give you shortcuts. I was reading like a madman when I was your age. I probably went through two or three books a week, every week. And to this day, even though I’m busy writing every day, I find time to read 30-40 books a year.
These days I’m writing thrillers. So currently I’m reading a classic series of thrillers by an author named John D. MacDonald. His style is VERY different from mine, but I like seeing how he pulls it off. It’s refreshing and interesting. And ultimately it will make me think about trying new things.
You’re probably frustrated that I won’t just give you tips. I’d be doing you a disservice if I just fobbed off some stale tips and sent you on your way.
Writers write. Go back and look at what I said in my last reply to you: “Lots of people TALK about writing, but only a few really put in the work . . .”
I know this is not what you want to hear. You may want the YouTube version of learning how to write. But Jaden, in my opinion it doesn’t exist. Your questions are excellent, they really are, but the answers aren’t in a textbook. They’re in the books you’re already reading. Or hopefully reading.
So instead of reading for fun, start reading with the eye of a writer. Pay attention to how authors craft their stories, how they build suspense, how their characters converse. You need to read like a student of writing.
Sorry if I’ve disappointed you, but I wish you all the best in the world. Keep reading and keep writing. I think you’ll find over the years that your best teachers are simply other authors.
Dom
Postscript:
I never heard back from Jaden. I didn’t expect to. I think he was gone by the second paragraph, off to find the shortcuts I wouldn’t give him.
But in my soul, I believe my words will help others.
Maybe you.