Too much theory
June 6th 2009 19:16
The internet is great. When I first went online in 1998, I was surprised to find so many other people who went through the same, or at least very similar, thing as I. There were countless writers asking the questions I asked, doubting their abilities just as I did, and exchanging tips, quotes from published writers, creating communities.
Soon I found writing communities and read every piece of writing advice I found. That was 11 years ago, when the general consensus on my side of the Atlantic was that writing couldn't be taught. You were either born to be a writer or you weren't, in Their opinion. So I was glad to learn that some people, famous writers among them, thought you can indeed teach the craft to those who had talent. I started to read books on creative writing, I read novels in the genres that interested me to see how other people did it, and I joined online writing groups. I grew more confident as a writer, I had a few small successes, but one thing never changed: I felt I'd still need to read more on the craft, get as much theoretical knowledge as possible.
The problem with the internet today is that writing advice is endless. You can read and read and read until the end of days, I suppose. True, some background knowledge on how novels work and how other people go about writing them is helpful, but no amount of theory can ever replace writing practice. If you want to write a publishable piece of fiction, you need to write lots of unpublishable rubbish first. Things you would never admit you wrote. Because knowing what works in theory doesn't mean you sit down and write a publishable text. You make mistakes, and you learn because of them.
I've recently fallen into the trap of reading up too much theory again, instead of sitting down and write even when I know what I'm writing is awful. That's why I'm glad I discovered Blovelspot. I signed up today, and while I'm still considering the options for my first blovel, I'm sure this is just what I need to forget about all the theory I don't know about yet and do what really matters: Write.
Soon I found writing communities and read every piece of writing advice I found. That was 11 years ago, when the general consensus on my side of the Atlantic was that writing couldn't be taught. You were either born to be a writer or you weren't, in Their opinion. So I was glad to learn that some people, famous writers among them, thought you can indeed teach the craft to those who had talent. I started to read books on creative writing, I read novels in the genres that interested me to see how other people did it, and I joined online writing groups. I grew more confident as a writer, I had a few small successes, but one thing never changed: I felt I'd still need to read more on the craft, get as much theoretical knowledge as possible.
The problem with the internet today is that writing advice is endless. You can read and read and read until the end of days, I suppose. True, some background knowledge on how novels work and how other people go about writing them is helpful, but no amount of theory can ever replace writing practice. If you want to write a publishable piece of fiction, you need to write lots of unpublishable rubbish first. Things you would never admit you wrote. Because knowing what works in theory doesn't mean you sit down and write a publishable text. You make mistakes, and you learn because of them.
I've recently fallen into the trap of reading up too much theory again, instead of sitting down and write even when I know what I'm writing is awful. That's why I'm glad I discovered Blovelspot. I signed up today, and while I'm still considering the options for my first blovel, I'm sure this is just what I need to forget about all the theory I don't know about yet and do what really matters: Write.
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