It cracks me up to read writer advice columns sometimes. So many of them parrot what they think to be true without really considering if it holds up in practice. My least favorite: Write what you know. Considering that back a few decades ago when I first heard this advice I was living in the middle of a corn field and knew all about nothing, I failed to see the wisdom in it. That’s because there is none, but then, who knew?
There are other words of wisdom being touted from print to blog and frankly, I’m growing deaf from the echoes of bad advice. Instead, let’s insert some common sense and see what these myths look like in the real world, shall we?
Wrong way – Write what you know. Obviously if you have a limited background, you realize right away this isn’t going to work. Instead, try this:
Right way – Write about what interests you. Always wanted to learn about bungee jumping? Me neither, but the point is something out there is catching your attention, be it the latest celebrity gossip or new barbecue tools for backyard chefs. Somewhere you’re wondering where to get information on something. There you go – there’s your next query.
Wrong way – Work for free to establish clips. Can you hear me groaning in pain here? Never, I repeat never work for free unless your mother’s asking. There is no valid reason why you should give away your talent. If the client thinks enough of your query to hire you, he needs to pay you. So, try this instead:
Right way – Establish clips through credible sources. That does not include content mills. They’re not credible. The measurement I use: if they have a defined audience and a real editor who expects good writing, they’re probably credible. When in doubt, ask other writers. The bad clients get a fast reputation.
Wrong way – Start with the small markets and don’t even think you can sell to big markets for XX years. Nonsense. Good ideas sell. Instead:
Right way – Fit the idea to the publication. This also banishes the myth that you should send the same idea out to twelve publications. Each magazine has a specific audience and slant. Your article on financial reform may fit into Time, but it’s not going to fly with InStyle. Do your homework.
Wrong way – If you’re not inspired, you shouldn’t try writing. Obviously this was written by someone unfamiliar with deadlines. Some of my best work has come from my back being against the deadline wall. Instead, think this way:
Right way – write no matter what. My NanoWriMo experience this year is proof positive that blazing through the writing is a great way to inspire more creativity. If you have deadlines, you have no choice. You can’t wait for your muse. You have to grab it by the legs and drag it to the ground.
Wrong way – Set aside enough time to write, or else don’t bother. Please. I’ve written blog posts in ten minutes and have taken pieces of hours to get an article together. Instead:
Right way – Write when you get any time. ‘Nuff said.
What myths are you scoffing these days?
The biggest current myth is that we live in a civilized country. If that was the case, we'd all have health care.
Good list, Lori. I've been knocking my head against those platitudes (and platypuses) for many a year.
My fave transcends the freelance business and spills like a damaged oil barge crashing against the Alaska coastline into fiction, playwriting, etc: Show don't tell. To which I reply, I'm a storyteller, not a storyshower. (Hmm, a shower of stories, interesting.)
I question any advice that starts with "Never" or "Always."
Absolutists tend to wear the biggest blinders.
Devon — AMEN.
Lori, my only exception to the "NEVER work for free" rule would be writing for a charity. I know many nonprofits have plenty of money to spend on writers (after all, look at their CEOs' salaries), but volunteering to write for a small local charity (i.e., that doesn't have plenty of money) would be a decent way for a beginner to get clips.
Amen, Devon!
Lori, this list is so true – especially #3. I once queried a well-known magazine three years ago and was absolutely shocked to get the assignment. The only reason I even tried is because I felt I had nothing to lose.
Lori,
I say if you don't write what you know, know what you write. Just be sure you learn what you need to know about the subject of your writing and don't try to bluff your way through.
It's amazing how inspiring a looming deadline can be!
Another wrong way: Never send out simultaneous submissions.
Right way: Send as many submissions on the same topic out as you like, just (like Lori's third Right Way says) tailor each query to a specific market. Even if you're pitching two women's weeklies with identical audiences, you can tweak the pitches to fit with each magazine's preferred format.
Except this one, B – Never write for free. 🙂
Devon, from your lips to Congress's ears.
Joseph, the "Show, Don't Tell" one doesn't bother me so much, but maybe it should read "Don't give us 'He was mad and wearing a red shirt', but 'The blood rushed to his face, matching the blood-red of his shirt.'"
Good one, Katharine! It's the only exception (besides family).
See? Kim, you've proven the point. Go for it – what's the worst that could happen?
Lillie, SUPER advice! Know what you write – I love it!
Paula, totally agree. If you've done your homework, the queries would all be different. I don't buy the "don't send simultaneous submissions" anymore because editors just don't bother to respond. Etiquette has to change on our side too in order to compensate that. Otherwise, we'd be sitting on ideas for months.
Lori: It hasn't been the most uplifting of mornings for me, & I've gotta thank you for the mental image of you sitting in the middle of a cornfield scowling at the stupid advice you've been given — first "laugh out loud" moment in a day that was really aching for one 🙂
Now, onto your question. Here are three sets of "words of wisdom" that have not served me very well over the years:
* Don't rock the boat
(Sometimes the boat needs a good rockin' — I'm not one to challenge every decision that comes down the pike, but a philosophy of silent submission can create as many problems as it endeavors to avoid.)
* Talent trumps all
(Work hard, market, revise, re-plan, re-focus, work harder, market more, plug away, keep plugging away, market some more, work smarter — do all this, sprinkle some talent on top, & *then* you're moving in the right direction.)
* Now is not the time
(There is always a reason why now is not the time — but following that logic, now will *never* be the time. Acknowledge the challenges, prepare for setbacks, plot an intelligent course, then work like crazy to get there. Suddenly, now may be just the time after all.)
Finally, I *love* B's admonition to run from "Never" and "Always" like they're chainsaw-wielding maniacs. Absolutism is rarely the answer (and yes, I reallyreallyreally wanted to write that "Absolutism is never the answer.")
Okay, there was a HOUSE in the middle of the corn field, too. Pest. 😉
The "talent trumps all" one is so bogus. I remember a freelancer our magazine worked with who was double-dipped in talent. But he was impossible. He insulted clients, turned things in late, and was a royal pain in the arse. Give me reliable and moderately talented any day!
"Give me reliable and moderately talented any day!"
I've been looking for a tag line for my imminent website update & new business cards, & I think I've just found the perfect one.
Hugh C. McBride: Reliable & Moderately Talented Since 1967
PS: Yeah, I kind figured there was a house involved in yer cornfield situation — but my initial misreading provided a much-needed smile, so I decided to go with it 🙂
Writing is never for free. Depends how you are taking compensation. I write a lot for SEO purposes, and don't get a dime.
Lori, I love this post! It's a great no-nonsense reminder not to fall into these myths. One myth I've encountered is people who think you need a journalism degree or tons of training. Many successful writers essentially taught themselves.
I don't mind the "write what you know" line. In fact, I'd probably give it. What interests someone is great, but if they're clueless they're clueless. Anyone can regurgitate a Wikipedia article about something that interests them and call it writing these days. Not everyone can speak knowledgeably about something that interests them. Those who can are the specialists companies are happy to pay good money for (even when they're new).
It's not about telling people to only write what they know right now so much as finding what interests you and take the time to get to know the subject matter well enough to specialize. Some specialize not in subject matter, but in format (writing magazine features, writing press releases, writing white papers, etc.). Either way, it's about taking what you know and learning how to apply it to worthwhile gig opportunities. That's just the way I look at it at least.
Good twist on it, Jenn. I think new writers have a tough time understanding what it means to "write what you know" when you don't know much beyond your immediate world. And you're so right – you can't just spew out rechewed cud from the Internet. You have to do the legwork and learn the topic. I've often said we're five-minute scholars in this job. We have to be. To write authoritatively, we have to know what we're talking about.
Susan, very true. You DON'T need a degree to be a writer. You need to practice your craft and know the basic rules of sentence structure.