Story Going Long
So This Will Be Very Short Tonight…
Besides, I think I stirred up enough dust last night. Interesting that the feedback and emails I got the most on was not rewriting (Heinlein’s Rule #3). It seems there are a ton of people who are dead set on destroying their creative voice by rewriting. Wow, is that myth strong.
Now back to the ever growing story on my own computer. Have a great weekend.
4 Comments
Brad D. Sibbersen
I’ve come to love how at any mention of Heinlein’s Rules someone will always fall all over themselves doing mental gymnastics to explain what he REALLY meant by #3. He meant what he said: Don’t rewrite. Great run of blogs lately Dean. Thanks!
dwsmith
Thanks, Brad. Yup, he meant what he wrote. And he was very blunt about in the original article. Because those rules are so hard to follow, Heinlein said, is the reason there are so few professional writers and so many aspirants. And if you can make up a reason to not follow one of those rules, then guess which side of the coin you fall on?
Emilia
I think a lot of writers are unsure of themself and want validation from someone higher up in the hierarchy, so to speak.
I notice that in myself. I thought about asking if I should stop submitting to magazines which give feedback, if that feedback feeds my critical voice. It’s a roll of the dice. Most of the time it doesn’t, but a few times I’ve had the feedback stuck in my head and stopped me from writing.
I know the answer is: “if it stop you from writing, don’t do it. Things that feed your critical voice will stop you from writing eventually”.
dwsmith
Yup, got it in one, Emilia. And then work on developing a thicker skin so that nothing gets in to stop your writing.