There are plenty of rules about writing. And plenty of people who will give you advice. Write every day. Follow a certain structure. Stick to a particular genre. Write to a specific market. Follow the latest trends. All these points are valid, but they are not set in stone.
Of course, advice from other writers, editors and publishing professionals can be helpful. But advice is not the same as a rule. What works perfectly for one writer might feel wrong for another. And many newbie writers can get so caught up in what they “should” be doing that they talk themselves out of starting anything at all. But remember, writing, at its heart, is your personal creativity. Which means you should follow what your instincts are telling you.
Of course, advice from other writers, editors and publishing professionals can be helpful. But advice is not the same as a rule. What works perfectly for one writer might feel wrong for another. And many newbie writers can get so caught up in what they “should” be doing that they talk themselves out of starting anything at all. But remember, writing, at its heart, is your personal creativity. Which means you should follow what your instincts are telling you.
If you want to write a memoir, write a memoir. If you want to write short stories, have at it. If you want to mix genres, experiment with different styles or tell a story in an unconventional way, give it a go. You have got nothing to lose. Don’t change your voice simply because someone says there is a “right” way to write.
You might soon realise that you’re not suited to short-story writing or that your memoir isn't that interesting. And, yes, you might eventually conclude that your steampunk/horror fusion is not such a great mix after all. That doesn’t matter. At least you will have got there via your own trial and error rather than following the “rules”.
So if you’ve got a story you want to tell in a particular way, or an unusual subject you feel should have a wider audience, write it down. You’ll never know if it’s going to work until you’ve tried.
You might soon realise that you’re not suited to short-story writing or that your memoir isn't that interesting. And, yes, you might eventually conclude that your steampunk/horror fusion is not such a great mix after all. That doesn’t matter. At least you will have got there via your own trial and error rather than following the “rules”.
So if you’ve got a story you want to tell in a particular way, or an unusual subject you feel should have a wider audience, write it down. You’ll never know if it’s going to work until you’ve tried.
