On writing

A storyboard is like a map of your novel. It will document the beginning, middle, and ending of your novel. You can use this map to stay on course throughout your writing process.

What is true, though, is that you should only write (or paint or photograph or act, etc.) if you love it. If you enjoy the act of creation. If you get satisfaction from wrestling with words and shaping sentences and producing paragraphs. If you do not enjoy it, don’t bother. There are many other things to do in life. And many easier ways to make a... See more

i don’t think that we artists are capable of conjuring up work that is wholly original. we are a mirage of references. our work, especially as young writers, is often a mimicry of those who came before. the difference here though is when we consume work, we digest it until it mixes with everything else we’ve eaten, all of our own memories and fears... See more

Having a problem to solve, or a question that demands an answer, makes the text live and move. Otherwise, it is just a clump of words, and it is unclear why I should read on.

The more you incorporate everything that you love and that comes easily for you, your interests, your sense of humor, your grammatical tics, etc, the more your style emerges.

Being able to spin up a room of your own with a few clicks is one of the great advantages we have over previous generations. Make use of it.

it should feel like work rather than labor

people often believe they have a writing technique problem, when, actually, what they have is a sincerity problem. They think that writing is onerous, when, actually, they mean that writing as if they’re someone else is onerous. If you’re not the kind of person who actually cares much about writing an epic fantasy novel, then no matter how much you... See more

— how I already feel about the matter;

— exactly the thought that popped into mind while the cursor was blinking;

— why I suddenly paused to think during writing;

— how I would say it to a friend;

— every doubt, emotion or personal opinion;

— and so on.