I’ve read a lot of really good writing advice.
I’ve read some abysmally bad writing advice.
Let me debunk some for you.
Debunked and Busted
When I was still part of a writers’ forum, a literary agent joined, intending to give good advice and help new writers. He was alas, shamefully treated and driven away (take note – this is career destroying behavior…). But he did explain to me why sometimes writing advice is horrible.
You don’t see doctor wanna-bees encouraging other untrained doctors, then going out to perform brain surgery without training.
–Name Withheld
Keep this in mind.
The writing advice you may get may be from someone who’s collected tens of thousands of rejection slips. Indeed, there is a book out there by an author who never was able to get published – until he wrote a “how to write a novel” book.
His abysmal advice?
Come up with a book idea, then let it sit for ten years without doing anything with it.
My guess is, he’s trying to eliminate competition.
Other bad advice from another writer?
“Don’t have a writer’s platform – it trains you in the wrong kind of writing.”
Same conclusion. Trying to eliminate competition. I’ll spill the beans and tell you I found that advice on someone’s writer’s platform.
Hmmm.
Just because you see writing advice doesn’t mean it’s good.
Good writing advice is often found again and again, because authors trying to help others found this works. If you see it once or twice, be suspect.
Often, it’s common sense and you know it when you see it.
