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Writing every day is an admonition new writers hear constantly. The best reason for the saying is, perhaps, heard from an unlikely source:
The discipline of writing something down is the first step toward making it happen. -- Lee Iacocca
I couldn't agree more.
So have a great day: stop reading and begin writing.
(Note: Before you leave, look to your right and vote in DWP's poll located in the upper righthand corner and tell us your favorite type of posts.)
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» Why should you write every day? from Writelife
I don't usually do short little posts like this, particularly when it's a small item that I frankly stole from someone else's blog, but this is worth repeating - over and over:The discipline of writing something down is the first [Read More]
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University of Chicago Press Staff: The Chicago Manual of Style, 15th Edition
Standard style book if you're writing books.
Michael Seidman: Fiction: The Art and Craft of Writing and Getting Published
Written by editor with 40 years experience with top publishing houses.
William Strunk Jr. - A MUST HAVE!: The Elements of Style, Fourth Edition
Reading this should be an annual ritual.
Lucile Vaughan Payne: Lively Art of Writing
Best definition of passive voice and why it is not appropraite to use, as well as those rare times when it is. Great section on writing effective sentences and on their variety of pattern and style.
Jon Franklin: Writing for Story: Craft Secrets of Dramatic Nonfiction by a Two-Time Pulitzer Prize Winner
Classic work for both nonfiction and fiction writers. Best definition of the flash back technique and why it is difficult to use in a narrative structure. Highly recommend!
Phillip Lopate: The Art of the Personal Essay : An Anthology from the Classical Era to the Present
Worth buying for the introduction alone! Excellent explanation of the personal essay, its history, and the many voices and styles.
Ray Bradbury: Zen in the Art of Writing: Essays on Creativity: Expanded
Needed for the sheer jolt of joy expressed!
What a creative mind you have, receptive to your craft at all times, apparently, to find an applicable gem in a different discipline! I've always backed up a bit from Iacocca's notion to say that the idea must exist before the reality, but putting it in writing is a fine part of the process of actualizing anything. It doesn't matter what you think up as a writer, until it's written down, it doesn't exist as writing.
Posted by:Georganna Hancock | May 15, 2005 at 11:30 AM
Well, I personally feel that writing everyday is not necessary but you must be constantly thinking of ideas, themes and characters when not writing.
Posted by:rohit | May 14, 2005 at 09:08 AM
I was going to reply but typing something brilliant, but your admonishon.........
Posted by:Mark | May 13, 2005 at 09:21 PM
Amazing: Read your post, was about to voice my strong agreement, took the second to vote in your poll, and what is at dead last? Writing exercises!
But the interesting thing that I've noticed lately is that while I can write whenever and near constantly, when asked as in class or a writers meeting the other night to write a few lines given a word or a setting, I cannot write decently at all! The thought evidently, must begin on its own, and prompts leave me blank and staring into space for ideas.
Posted by:susan | May 13, 2005 at 10:57 AM