A reader writes

Last updated on: December 31, 2014 at 3:28 pm by Mark Shea

A reader writes 2014-12-31T15:28:03-07:00 Mark Shea

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You are one of the most enjoyable writers I read. Beyond, “Read. Read. Read.”, which I assume will be your answer and which I already do, what books/resources would you recommend to grow as a writer? What has helped you? Thanks!

Gawrsh! I’m flattered!

Well, you alread took away my first, second, and third replies, so I will add a fourth: read. (Ha!)

There are a few things that come to mind. First, as much as possible, write about what interests you and nothing else. If you are interested in what you are writing about it will show in your writing. The passion will be there. If you aren’t interested, dittos.

Second, use short words rather than long ones and old words rather than new ones (unless it is your misfortune to have to explain the meaning of new, long words).

If you are writing to persuade, then meet your audience on its terms, not yours.

If you are writing to persuade, bear in mind that there are two sorts of people, those who ask questions to find things out, and those who ask questions to keep from finding things out. Engage the latter only as a foil for the benefit of the former. Otherwise, do not cast you pearls before swine, do not give what is holy to dogs.

Have as much fun as you can. That way, your reader will too.

Look at your argument from your critic’s viewpoint and really face the holes in it. When you are trying to tell the truth, you have nothing to fear from critics. They’ll just make your case stronger.

Appeal to the senses. We are incarnate being and relate better to ideas that are clothed in the language of the senses. Much philosophical folly could be avoided if people stopped talking abstractly and instead thought like ordinary people.

If you are writing fiction, go pore over the helpful tips being offered by John C. Wright on his fun blog.

Don’t be daunted by rejection. Everybody–and I mean everybody–gets their work rejected by editors. When it happens to you, just think, “I’m earning my stripes as a writer.” The good thing about editors is that there’s another side to the coin: periodicals are like immense vacuum cleaners for ideas and words. They constantly demand new material and fresh blood. If you get rejected, it just means they couldn’t use this piece. It’s not a verdict on your worth as a human being or even as a writer. Try another mag. Tweak the piece to make it more amenable to the particular audience you are writing for. You’ll get the ball in the cup if you keep plugging.

Once you get a few piece published, the editor will start to know who you are. Then you have a relationship you can build on.

Keep an eye out for stuff going on in your life that might be a story idea. Part of the reason I maintain this blog is because conversations here spark ideas for articles elsewhere. Dickens used to wander about London, listening to people talk about his serials in the English press and getting ideas for stuff that he might write next.

Hope that helps. The main key to writing is stapling your butt to the chair and doing it. It’s lonely work (another reason I maintain the blog–for company). But it can be very rewarding too when you craft just the right sentence. It’s a bit like a fantasy fulfillment if you are the sort of person who looks back on conversations and kicks yourself because you should have said *this*, but instead you said *that* and you felt like a dork afterwards. Writing gives you the chance to say *this* just exactly how you wanted to say it.

Don’t expect to get rich doing this, by the way. One of the funnier sorts of troll I get in my combox is the guy who says, “You just converted so that you could get rich as a Catholic writer.” Not. Engaged. With. Reality. The main reason to do this (or any) work is because you love it. The love will show.

Best wishes in your endeavor!

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