Today is World Storytelling Day. I hope that does not apply to politicians, as most of what they do is storytelling. I will assume we are speaking about writers and playwrights, etc. The people who really tell stories.
My first comment goes to everyone who has planned to write a story but never finished it. I learned this long ago, but happened to see a Facebook meme online two days ago that is all new writers need to know. You already know the author.
I cannot recall where I saw or heard that before, but it is golden information. Others have told me they tried to write a book, but constantly went back to tweak this or that. That never works. You will end up in a spiral of rewrites long before you write THE END. The end then never comes. I think it is a shame, but then again, there is less competition for eyeballs if others quit. Obviously, there are so many writers out there who have published that we do not immediately stand out.
I have another dear friend whose father started a very successful personal protective device company. He asked me if I would help write his story. Of course I said yes. I still have not heard or seen any information for me to start with. That is another issue with new writers. You wait to gather all the information before you start. Then, you never get all the data you want, and the project goes cold. I know both the father and the son very well. The father is now 82 and I do not know if it will ever happen. That’s a shame, as I worked for that company for fourteen years (through multiple acquirers). They completely changed the earplug market.
Perhaps I am specially blessed. I never seem to run out of ideas for the next book. Too often, I stall somewhere in the middle. If the muse does not guide me, those shells of stories sit helplessly on my laptop. As I have mentioned before, I am working to resurrect some of them now. In my case, sometimes the story takes control and I lose track of where I was originally headed. Maybe that happens to you too.
I also recall a book file from a woman in Spain (I think). She hired a translator, who was terrible. I could not understand half of what was going on. I let the author know the problem, but never heard back.
Perhaps the writers in the Rave Reviews Book Club are especially blessed. There are always new stories to read and review. Still, part of me goes back to those others who tried, but could not complete what had been their dream. Imagine the incredible stories we have missed. If you know other writers, give them a pat on the back, and Stephen King’s advice. Truer words have never been said. I wish you all the best.
Thank you for reading my post. I hope something I wrote can help you write your next great novel or nonfiction book. In your free moments, please check out the posts by the other authors taking part in this 30 Day Blogging Challenge. You will be overjoyed. To go there now, just click the link below.
King’s meme is truly good advice, Karl.
Karen, I cannot remember when I heard that advice the first time, but it was at least a dozen years ago. So true.
It is definitely great advice! I am lucky to have critique partners that I can send my chapters to, one at a time, which helps me write it and let it go to move on to the next one. I do spend some time revising as I write once I get some feedback, and I find it helps motivate me to continue. Everyone has to find his/her style, but if revising and editing prevents one from continuing to write, then it should be put to the side until the story is complete. Great post, Karl!
Yvette M Calleiro 🙂
http://yvettemcalleiro.blogspot.com
Absolutely right, Yvette. I am grateful I saw that meme the other day. Writers may not listen to me, but Stephen King? I hope your writing team is coming up with something great for your next story.
Hi, Karl,
It was different for me when I got back into writing. I don’t use Stephen King’s method. But if it helps others, I say right on!
Have a lovely day and take care.
Shalom shalom
Hi Karl,
Your wisdom comes from being in the trenches yourself and sharing your experience with others. From the little writing I have done I know exactly what you mean. You have to go where the story leads you and not a moment before.
So true, Shirley! I’m glad I learned the lesson long ago. There is always a time for rereads and fixing, but it has to be when the story is complete. We all make mistakes. I am looking forward to your next book.
Karl, sage advice! Of my books, I only work on one at a time and do so until it’s finished. I don’t have half written books on my laptop…wish I did! I’m thinking about repurposing articles from my blog and creating a book from them. I’ve started it three times, so far. Good luck on your next books!
This is a great idea, John. Looking forward to reading it!
Hi, Karl!
Stephen King’s advice should be read by everyone who has a story to tell, but hasn’t written it down. I wish I had a bunch of unfinished books to go back to, but I’m a one-book-at-a-time writer. I’m working on a trilogy and won’t publish until all three books are done, so it seems to be taking forever. But I’m writing, my critique partners are reviewing and making suggestions, and I’m planning to binge-write in April for Camp Nano to give the third book the boost it needs before I go back to make it right. Great post!
Blessings!
Patty
Karl–This is great advice. I have a bunch of ideas rolling around in my head and listed in a file I call story ideas, but I only write one at a time. It’s too hard to go with the flow of characters if you have too many balls in the air at one time.