The First Piece of Advice
From reading James Clear’s article “The Daily Routines of 12 Famous Writers“, two pieces of advice stood out to me from those routines. And what I’ve recently learned is to focus on the things that stand out to me for a more effective learning experience. For some reason, my mind decides what particular things it finds important, and figures in its own complex intricacies, what information will benefit me the most. I assume that everyone’s brain works like that one way or another. With no more preamble, the first piece of advice that stood out to me was from Jodi Picoult. She states that she does not believe in writer’s block, because the ‘affliction’, what I consider it to be, is due to having too much time on one’s hands. The antidote is to just get to it because one can always edit abysmal work later, but “You can’t edit a blank page.” I can’t argue with her logic, it’s straight to the point and no nonsense –I like that.
The Second Piece of Advice
The second piece of advice comes from Khaled Hosseini. He does not outline his work because he doesn’t like to box himself in and prefers the story to go in the direction it wishes. This makes sense to me because creativity needs to flow freely, and act according to its own rules, rather than by constraining, methodical structures people attempt to impose on it. Maybe some people can be systematic with their creative work, but I like Hosseini sure can’t. Anyway, what really caught my eye was when Hosseini states that one should “write for an audience of one –yourself.” He’s absolutely correct, in my opinion. How can anyone truly know what others actually like or want to read? Individuals are subjective, so I can only truly speak about what compels my mind and what it wishes to share. Whether my writing is good, great, or complete garbage is also subjective, and up to the audience to decide. So, I’ll keep Hosseini’s advice: “Just write about the things that get under your skin and keep you up at night.”
The Recurring Themes
Moreover, the article concludes with three common themes Picoult, Hosseini, and the remaining ten employ in their respective writing routines. The first is physical activity which helps with keeping the juices flowing. I can relate to this as I find long walks in the woods by myself helpful. I can let my thoughts run free and voice them out loud without having others stare at me thinking I’ve lost it. The second is to do the most important thing first: to write. Many of these writers prioritize tackling their craft first thing, no exception. I personally struggle with this one because I am naturally prone to write later in the evening when the tasks of the day have come to a close. The third is to do the hard work while embracing the struggle. Paradoxically, I think I can do the hard work, but embracing the struggle itself is an intimidating adversary. Maybe it has something to do with acceptance. Accepting that the hard work may go unrecognized, but it has to get done nonetheless, because people need constructive things to do whether they are successful at them or not.
If you’d like, read Clear’s article and comment what pieces of advice stood out to you from the authors’ routines.