10 Brutal Writing Lessons
I’m not a fan of the term ‘brutal honesty’. This is because too often, the person being honest is paying more heed to the brutality than the honesty. Yuk. No thanks!
That said, sometimes we all need a hardcore reality check. This is especially the case in screenwriting, filmmaking and publishing. There’s so much romantic BS and myth-making going on in these industries, it can be difficult to see that reality.
I’ve made it my life’s work to demystify the spec pile, the process and the industry. With that in mind, here’s 10 brutal writing lessons we ALL need to learn or revisit. Ready? Let’s go …
1) Start now, FFS!!!
Don’t wait for real-life to get less manic. Don’t wait to take the perfect course, or do XYZ amount of research.
The author Doris Lessing said, ‘Whatever you’re meant to do, do it now. The conditions are always impossible.‘
She was 100% on the button. So, stop procrastinating and get going, FFS!
2) Your brilliant idea *probably* sucks
No, the concept for your story did NOT come to you ‘fully formed’. That’s not how brilliant ideas work.
You need to DEVELOP them by breaking story. You can’t skip it. Why would you want to, anyway?? That’s the fun bit!
MORE: How To ‘Break Story’ And Write Something Great!
3) Perfection is literally impossible (and not even desirable anyway)
Too many creatives are in pursuit of perfection in their drafts. This will hold you back, BIG TIME.
Besides, there’s no such thing as a perfect novel, movie or TV show. Perfection is not the endgame.
Make your peace with that. Then you might actually finish – and sell – your writing!
4) Stop trying to reinvent the f–ing wheel
If I have to hear one more writer tell me they have a ‘new version’ of some trope, genre, character or whatever, I’m gonn a go postal. Nine times out of ten, it’s just a rehash anyway.
Stop trying to be clever and discover what’s gone before. That’s the ONLY way you can see what’s missing from the big picture!
5) Don’t accept bad deals because you’re desperate to be picked
A bad deal IS worse than no deal. Instead of being desperate, do whatever it is you want YOURSELF.
Whether you’re an author or screenwriter, you’re not ‘locked out’. You CAN make it happen for yourself.
Find out how instead of chasing after bad deals or wailing ‘woe is me’ on social media.
6) Learn how the industry *actually* works (not how you assume it works)
Screenwriters: pay particular attention to how much it costs to make a movie or an hour of TV. Learn who is making what.
Authors: find out about the different types of publisher, plus how self-publishing works. Make informed decisions.
Both: Find out how reader and audience preferences change, year on year. The industry is in constant flux.
7) If you don’t know your genre, you will FAIL
You simply cannot write comedy, horror, thriller, science fiction, fantasy etc by the power of intuition alone. There are genre tropes (aka conventions) that readers and audiences sign up for.
If your story does not have them? IT IS NOT THAT GENRE! It is that simple. Do your frigging research!!!
8) Industry pros want the ‘same, but different’ (cry harder)
Originality is overrated. Finding a new take on *anything* is DIFFICULT. So show how awesome you are by digging DEEP and doing this.
9) No one cares about your genius
Okay, so you work hard? That’s a given. Being a creative *is* hard work.
But readers and viewers don’t care about HOW you got there. They only care about the story. So get on with it!
10) There is NO f–ing shortcut. Deal with it!
Keep on keeping on. If you never stop putting one foot in front of the other, you will get to where you want to be eventually. How can you not?
Last Points
I get it, these brutal writing lessons can seem demotivating. After all, this writing malarkey can seem overwhelming. The romanticisation of the process and industry can feel very tempting.
But that won’t work for you want to sell your writing and maintain a career. This industry is brutal AF. If you keep your head in the clouds, it will chew you up and spit you out. Don’t say I didn’t warn you!
