Writing Tips from Famous Authors

Thanks for this article. I liked Stephen King's advice (and appreciation for editors): Stephen King – Be open to criticism. The more successful you get, the more you need to listen to your editor. And I need to follow Margaret Atwood's suggestion to keep a notebook of interesting things that you want to remember. I also like the advice (from you, Kristin?) to write something every day and to do it at the same time. Some writers might not agree with how long to write (I believe you suggested 10 minutes so that it's doable for most folks) or think that you need more self-discipline. One of my favorite Anne Lamott quotes is, "Butt in chair." She doesn't beat around the bush about the need for discipline in writing. It's on the days that you feel least inspired that sitting your butt in a chair and doing it anyway regardless of mood pays off. Not everything we write is worthy of publication, but if we fail to practice the craft of writing, and write for different venues, we are planning to fail. As Lily Tomlin said many years ago in her Edith Ann character on "Laugh In," "And that's the truth!" (pfffffft! Raspberry!)

Neil Gaiman is awesome :D