“Write what you know”. Is it merely a dangerous idea, or could there be something genuinely useful in this controversial writerly advice? Read more…
In our continued effort to improve our writing, we can be very sensitive to the advice of others. Here’s a reason not to follow so-called “common knowledge” advice about what is a very personal craft. Read more…
Another one of those writing maxims and possibly the most obvious, and self-descriptive one of all. So what could I possibly have to say about the advice that “writers write”? Read more…
Behold, another writing maxim; a do-or-die rule that everyone agrees on! Or do they? We’ve tackled such rules before, but are we about to blow “Write Every Day” out the water? Read more…
“Show don’t tell” is a writing maxim as tired as “write what you know”, or “writers write”. But it seems whenever it’s mentioned the writer tells you to take the rule with a pinch of salt or flat out ignore it altogether! What’s the deal? Read more…