“Read, read, read. Read everything — trash, classics, good and bad, and see how they do it. Just like a carpenter who works as an apprentice and studies the master. Read! You’ll absorb it.
Then write. If it’s good, you’ll find out. If it’s not, throw it out of the window.”
― William Faulkner
This is where I talk about my writing, mostly.
Tales + Tails: Novel Writing + Culture + Compassion
A U T H O R
For lovers of reading, writing, travel, humanity
Micropoetry and flash fiction
All things holly, jolly, and odd-ly...
addicted to verse
Investigating 19th century crime
A creative miscellany of mythic fantasies
Doing the best I can to keep it on the bright side
Designs for the money. Writes for the love of it.
... and how to put them right! Advice and opportunities for new, aspiring and upcoming journalists and writers of non-fiction
by Sam Allen
Words That Can’t
Fiction Writing
This is a space for me to write, share my words and play with poetry. You are very welcome here.
Published in Gold Dust magazine, Literally Stories, Near to the Knuckle, McStorytellers, Penny Shorts, Soft Cartel, Whatever Keeps the Lights On, and Shooter magazine.
Nail Your Novel - Writing, publishing and self-publishing advice from a bestselling ghostwriter and book doctor
Chantelle Atkins, Author
I think these words were written for me- I try to read everything because I love reading. I am trying to develop my writing skills.
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And a brilliant attitude to have if you want to write. Although it can be tedious, it’s also good to read books you don’t really enjoy or think are flawed- they can tell you how you don’t want to write. Tedious to stick with a book you’re not into, though. 🙂
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I just read a short story by Faulkner: that quote is the most simplistic thing he’s ever said! And true. Now I need to go get a book…sadly, when I write, I tend not to read as much. When I read, I get so involved I don’t write as much
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It’s a tricky balance- reading, writing and everything else.
I always feel like I should be reading more than watching TV, but some TV dramas have such great plotting (something I think I’m very weak at) that I justify watching them by telling myself I’m probably learning to plot better by osmosis. Course, I get carried away by who’s guilty, who’s innocent, what’s been done and why and stop paying attention to the structure completely…
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I love TV. Can’t help it. It usually on unless I am studying for class. But I can read and watch tv (and explain the tv plot to my husband). I think it’s the add kicking in!
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I’ve read my fair share of bad books, and if there’s one thing I’ve learned from that is to not let your audience influence your story.
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That’s a really interesting point- how much to write for an audience. I’ve read different advice (write for yourself/ for an imagined, ideal reader) and I just write what feels good to me. Could be why I’ve not had much publishing success though 🙂
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Personally, I feel like you should like and want to read something you’ve written. Trust your judgement as a reader as well as a writer. And success is slow a-coming , my friend 🙂
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