Do You, Boo! (Wednesday Wisdom)

 

#wednesdaywisdom – “You gots to be true.” (Lo-Key)

 If ever an urban colloquialism worked for a career… “Do You, Boo!” works for writers.

People are consistently asking me and other writers for tips and tricks on how to write a great book.  But, in all honesty, what may work for me (or another writer) may make you want to curse.  And, that is not what we old heads want.

When I talk to my English Composition students, I tell them… “There are no tips and tricks to writing an essay.  I cannot tell you “how” to write an essay.  It will be different each time and you will approach it different every time.  What I can do is teach you strategies, methodologies, steps, and give you tools that will help you write your essays.  But, ultimately, you have to make time to read the writing assignment, review your notes from class, and decide what strategy, methodology, steps, and tools will help you write the essay.”

I also give them one more caveat.  These tools, strategies, methodologies, and steps are ones that I use regularly.  I am going to teach you how I use them.  But, it does not work for you, then do not use it.  If it will work better doing it a different way than I showed you, then do it a different way.  I am giving you what I think will help you.  You have to figure out how to use it.

 

Also, you can admire a writer.  You can like their style.  You can even make part of their style your style.  But, you have to stop yourself from being a carbon coy of that writer.  You have to be yourself.  You do not want people reading your work and saying, “She just copied…” or “This is just like… work.”  You want to be yourself.  And as a writer, being true to yourself is the most important part of being a writer.

 

So, as a writer, you need to learn your craft.  Read books on how to write, especially how to write in your genre.  Read articles on how to write.  Read published authors’ works.  Talk to other writers.  Join writing groups.  Build a network to help you be a better writer.  Soak up all the advice, lessons, words, and wisdom that you can.  But remember, you have to take what works for you and use it the best way that works for you.

You want to be a writer… then, do you, boo!

Being true to yourself is part of developing your writing style.