Margaret Atwood offered fabulous advice for writers fourteen years ago and I missed it.
Thank goodness for the almighty algorithms that serve nuggets of wisdom. I don’t know how that happens. Sometimes I like it, but other times? It definitely feels invasive…seeing something in my social media feed which addresses a complaint – unuttered – that I’ve tussled with.
But I’ll leave the concern about algorithmic eyes aside for the moment, because I want to share a couple of things from Atwood that left me laughing…crying. From recognition, yes. As if she’d crawled in and knew just what to say to moi.
Here are two segments from Atwood’s “Rules for Writers”. (Italicized words in bold – for emphasis – are mine. Notes of deep recognition and/or hilarity. Margaret Atwood knows me?)
You most likely need a thesaurus, a rudimentary grammar book, and a grip on reality. This latter means: there’s no free lunch. Writing is work. It’s also gambling. You don’t get a pension plan. Other people can help you a bit, but essentially you’re on your own. Nobody is making you do this: you chose it, so don’t whine.
You can never read your own book with the innocent anticipation that comes with that first delicious page of a new book, because you wrote the thing. You’ve been backstage. You’ve seen how the rabbits were smuggled into the hat.
Thank you to those who’ve asked about my latest Project. (Note: The capital “P” is given out of respect. An homage to the gargantuan amount of time it’s taking to move it along.) I’m getting there and Atwood’s advice made me smile and nod, with the reminder that humor fuels me better than anything else. Even cookies.
If you’re a writer trying to make headway, I’ll leave you with a final gem from Atwood:
Don’t sit down in the middle of the woods. If you’re lost in the plot or blocked, retrace your steps to where you went wrong. Then take the other road…
Been there! The middle of the woods is no place for me.
Sending hugs,
Vicki 😉
Margaret Atwood’s 10 Rules For Writing Fiction – Writers Write
Keep Going! – Victoria Ponders
Hi – I’m Victoria, Vicki, Dr. Vicki. I hold a doctorate in Adult Education and I’m a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), and author of Surviving Sue | Eckhartz Press.
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Victoria Ponders 
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