A tip a day to keep the rejections away
Welcome to my marathon of writing tips—one tip a day to make
you a better writer.
What are my qualifications?
For several years, I’ve written the Pet
Vet column for the Post Bulletin newspaper. I’ve had articles published in RunMinnesota, DVM360 journal, and The
Wagazine. I’m in a wonderful
critique group that meets weekly to tell me everything I’ve done wrong.
Save yourself some time by learning from my mistakes.
MILE EIGHT = READ A BOOK
Today's suggestion is based on pure instincts, not scientific research. In fact, some writers may take issue with
what I’m about to say.
So what is my controversial advice?
Simply this: Read a
book.
Not
your CP’s book. Not a novel you’re Beta
reading for someone. And most definitely
NOT YOUR OWN WIP!
Back away from your words, and read somebody else’s for a change.
And don’t take notes.
This is where some may disagree with me. Many writers believe that those who wish to
improve themselves should always read with a notepad and pen nearby.
But I disagree.
If you want to take notes, be my guest--but I give you
permission to JUST READ.
For fun.
Remember when reading used to be FUN?
Isn’t a love of books why you started writing in the first
place? That’s certainly what did it for
me. And now it’s gotten progressively
more difficult to turn off my internal editor when I read. It’s annoying to listen to my internal editor's
constant interruptions when I just want to get lost in a book.
I fear that as I learn more about writing, I become more
critical. Not that I’m
perfect. But it’s gotten harder for me
to truly enjoy a book.
It makes me sad, because I used to open every book with
excitement, and now it’s with a little bit of fear. Will this book be good enough to silence my
irritating internal editor?
I want to love reading as much as I used to, so I’m not
going to take notes anymore. I’m going to
send my internal editor on a mandatory vacation, and try to read like a child once again.
My suggestion is that you do the same. Fill yourself with childlike wonder, so that you have a well of inspiration inside you to draw from the next time you take up your pen.
See you at mile nine!
Abbreviations as follows:
MS = manuscript
CP = critique partner
WIP = work in progress
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