1.Every writer has advice. Doesn’t matter how little they write, how often their work is published, or how few or how many readers they have, every writer has some words on writing.

2. No writer is obliged to follow advice or live a certain way to be creative. Make your own rules if you want to, but slavish devotion to another’s dictates on how will make writing into a chore and to me this kills the joy in it. And if there is no joy where is the why of writing?

3. You don’t have to be good. Have you read books, or possibly anything? There is much that is published that is so far from good it’s in its own star system. If you can harness a popular wave before it peaks, you too can be mediocre and incredibly successful. Just write, and if it’s not good, the good news is you’ll likely improve if you take some advice (see point one). The goal is for one reader, such as an editor or agent, to see that your writing is good enough for them.

4. No idea, plot, setting, or character is unique, but you are. Don’t write yourself out of writing before you’ve begun because your idea has been done before. The old idea will be fresh because it hasn’t been done by you before.

5. Each rejection teaches you something about your writing, or the editor, or the publication/publishing house.

6. There are a vast array of writing opportunities out there but you have to take the time to find them.

7. Acceptances are brilliant diamonds in the inky cloak of night that is the publishing world. Acceptances by editors are sweet moments of joy treasured forever, unsullied by doubts, editing negotiations, and the possibility of a multitude of different issues that can throw spanners in the works between the wonder of the yes of acceptance and actual publication.

8. Even after 20 or so years, there is magic in writing.

9. Even after 20 years of revisions, rejections, and neglect, a piece can find a publisher.

10. Take the emotion out of professionals messing up your editing your work. With time, and a deep breath, look at suggested edits as rationally as possible. Trust that editors only spend time on works they think are worthy, and if that’s the case, then perhaps their work on your writing will take it from the foundation stones of a story to a gem everyone values. But also defend your words, editing has room for negotiation. You are not obliged to follow advice, but assess your level of expertise and knowledge in comparison to the person offering it. Outside perspectives always reveal things you can’t see.

News:

I have a poem out. It’s called Cardboard and is in edition 13 of Last Stanza Poetry Journal, available now for purchase in the usual places these types of things are sold.

The 2023 writing update

• Rejections: 42
• Pending: 17
• Accepted (3 carried over from 2022): 12
• Published: 12