Everything I Learned About Writing

              Risk being un-liked, stop obsessing and be yourself.  Write what you feel.  Don’t worry about what people will think of you or your writing.  Never abandon your narrative voice.  Your writing should be consistent in everything you write.  The same story should never be told twice but you should always be visible in your writing.  If you don’t write in the same voice, then it’s NOT you writing.  Be different. Be exotic.  Entertain your audience.  They are your critics, so impress them.  If you’re the only one who’s not put to sleep by your story then it’s NOT a good story! Give it a twist or two.  Go for the unexpected. Impress yourself with your writing.  Write something that’s never been written before.  Make it interesting!  Write for yourself, write for your audience, write for your audience about yourself.  “Be afraid of wasting anymore time obsessing about how you look and how people see you”.  Be tangential.  Take the trip down a different road this time.  Go back to your past, as awful as it may be.  Write about it. Write out of vengeance but disguise those you write about.  I don’t, but you should!  Favor one character over the other and give them flaws.  Nobody’s perfect.  Be believable in your plot, setting, and characters. A sad story should give the audience false hope and vice-versa.  Make a good story, regardless of what form it takes. Enjoy your writing and write!  It is your obligation as a writer.