(Click above for the audio version of this newsletter, read by me)
A common question that I get asked by the writers that I mentor, is whether or not they should be reading books about the craft and rules of writing. There are so many on the market, ranging in theme and in quality. There is no doubt that some of them are really useful and writers can certainly find them helpful at different stages of their writing life. So, the answer I usually give is…
Yes, if you are called to, BUT
1) Try Not to Use Craft Books to Avoid Writing
Writers are usually (though not always) pretty avid readers and I have noticed often that reading How To books about writing can be a cheeky way to feel like you are writing when you are not. While writing my first novel, my kindle was a graveyard for 99p editions of books called How to Finish Your Novel, Hurry Up and Finish your Novel Already and The Idiot’s Guide to Finishing a Novel…you catch my drift. I was so tortured by the story that wanted to be written, but blocked by my imposter syndrome that I looked for external help in these books. Sadly, the only answer was to work out what was blocking me and sit down and write, it wasn’t to buy another book. I have seen this procrastination technique in many a writer. I think we can convince ourselves that, like with other professions, we need to study in order to write. It can certainly help, but be honest with yourself if the How To books are piling up faster than the words on the page.
2) Resist Taking ‘The Rules’ of Writing To Be Like Letters of the Law
I always feel that it is important to read books on the craft of writing with an objective eye. No matter if it is written by a best-selling author or if a writer you admire swears by it, you are not them and that is your superpower. Read critically. Do you agree? Does what they are saying make sense to you? Does it make you excited? Do you feel inspired to go off and write a story or does it leave you feeling flat, feeling not good enough, locked out? Pay attention. Your opinion is just as valid. It can be helpful to learn rules, simply so you know which ones you want to follow and which ones you plan on breaking ;) but don’t let the rules stop you from writing at all.
3) Don’t Forget about Context- Whose Rules Are They Anyway?
If you have read stories from different countries, different traditions, you will notice that stories change. Yes, there are some ideas that all stories have certain aspects, which is probably true, but when so many of these crafts books written in English are written by white people, from Western countries it makes me question, whose rules are we following exactly? There are so many more ways to tell stories that have likely been lost, overlooked and missed in the chase for Hollywood epics and bestsellers. Living in Mexico I know that written Spanish has such a different style to written English, and if you have watched French films you will know that many of them differ greatly from US mainstream movies. So, I think it is worth remembering that if you don’t find yourself within a book on craft, it is not because you don’t know how to write, it may just be that the book doesn’t speak to a way you intuitively know how to do your craft.
By all means read craft books, but try to write from intuition not from rules
Try to always write your first draft at least, without thinking of writing rules, ideas about craft etc. My concern when people rely heavily on these books is that they lose their essence, the bit which makes them unique. So, by all means edit with ideas that resonate with you from craft books, that you think can help make your piece stronger, but please always know that you are what makes your writing special. Be as creative as you want to be, no matter what the rules say.
Having said all of this, I would love to hear your favourite books on the craft of writing and why you like them. I am currently reading A Swim in a Pond in the Rain by George Saunders and I love it because he isn’t telling me what to think but is inviting me to reflect and come along for the journey.
Mentoring
I feel so honoured to be working with truly wonderful and inspiring writers, helping them bring projects to completion or rebuild their confidence with the craft.
If you want 2022 to be the year that you (re) find your writing voice or that you really move forward with a project that has got stuck, I would love to hear from you.
Writing is magic and I truly believe that in writing we are trying to answers the questions we have about life on the page. I am so grateful when I can be a conduit in guiding my clients back to their inner storyteller.
If you would like support with your writing, please get in touch or book in for a free twenty minute consultation, to see if I am the right person to help you.
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