Write Good or Die

It’s been a while, since I wrote about a book, but now I found the one! As a new writer, I am trying to improve my writing and so I was exciting when I found a book titled, “Write Good or Die” by Scott Nicholson.  I’m telling you… this book is amazing.

Here is the description:

Survival tips for 21st century writers, from best-selling authors Kevin J. Anderson, M.J. Rose, Heather Graham, J.A. Konrath, Gayle Lynds, Alexandra Sokoloff, Jonathan Maberry, and more. How to develop your craft, improve your writing, get an agent, promote your work, embrace the digital age, and prepare yourself for the coming changes in the publishing industry. Edited by Scott Nicholson.

I will not give a review here, I’ll write one on Goodreads. In this post I want to share with you what I learned form that book. As you read on the description, the book is a collection of posts and articles and every author who participated, has some important info to share.

It starts with my favorite chapter, “If I only had the time”, where Kevin J. Anderson, describes perfectly how hard it is to write a book. And it’s harder than everyone thinks, harder than a writer thinks when he/she starts writing. With that book I learned that it’s okay to make mistakes. Tell me one new writer who didn’t make one! As Mur Lafferty says “The day you accept that your writing is allowed to suck is your first day of being a writer-the day you let yourself free.”  I read about writers’ stories, about the world of publishing, the craft of pitching your book, about point of view and everything there is to know.

Some though, stuck in my mind more than others, like the chapter about discipline by Kristine Kathryn Rusch. I don’t know about you, but I see myself as a Freelancer. Yes, I am new and I suck, as Anderson said, but I am and it’s time to accept it. Rusch describes with her own unique way how hard it is to be a Freelancer and I totally can relate. Mark her words, “Seriously. What gets most people to their day jobs isn’t the job. It’s the money they get from the job, money that lets them pay the bills and support their family. Sure, a handful like their work, but most like the paycheck and benefits better. Here’s the problem: there are no paychecks and benefits when you work for yourself. If that’s your motivation for working, then you’re not going to have much luck freelancing— providing you carry that motivation into your freelance work.” 
How true is this, right? I spend all my time in front of my PC, writing, reading, learning, trying to be better at what I love. My eyes are red and my head is pounding but I still don’t move from that chair. Is the money that makes me work that hard? No, because there aren’t any. But I can’t say that I am working though because people don’t get it. No money, no work. That sucks!

In chapter 16 by Scot Nicholson, I learned some rules that I must follow on my writing and which are the bad habits that a writer should avoid. As he said, “The final bad habit of unsuccessful writers, one which makes all the above meaningless: the habit of not writing. In my career, I’ve only seen two kinds of writers. Those who succeed and those who quit. Be one of those who succeed.” 
I really want to be one of those. 

I could quote the whole book, but I guess you get the point. :) Every page I turn I find something worth remembering and I am sure you will feel the same. This book has the survival tips for writers. 

Go get a copy!