1. Character descriptions can be so tough to nail. For example ... characters in their late thirties to late forties: Most people look great for their age ... until they finally look their age. What does forty really look like? (More like thirty-five or more like forty-five?)
2. Just like in books, life progresses in chapters--and all chapters, good and bad, eventually end.
3. Aristotle had it right: Don't tempt the fates, for they have a unique sense of humor.
4. Life is too short to waste time on bad prose.
5. Characters must evolve noticeably as a story progresses (and, for all you writers out there, progress is realizing that brilliance you wrote five years ago is pretty crappy compared to the brilliance you're writing today).
6. Just like characters, we all need goals, and nothing worth having comes easily.
7. Life is filled with reviews. I've found there is a strong correlation between skill level and experience and one's ability to take constructive criticism.
8. No one likes overly needy characters. Remember that the more you care about what others think, the less they'll likely think of you.
9. Far too often, a story's antagonist will do whatever it takes to prevail over the protagonist, no matter how good a person or deserving of positive things that protagonist is. Moreover, the antagonist typically views him/herself as the good guy. Chose your friends wisely.
10. Not all books have happy endings, and oftentimes characters have little to no choice in the outcome. It is up to you, however, to decide which genre your personal book is going to be. (Hint: try not to make it a tear-jerking drama.)
2. Just like in books, life progresses in chapters--and all chapters, good and bad, eventually end.
3. Aristotle had it right: Don't tempt the fates, for they have a unique sense of humor.
4. Life is too short to waste time on bad prose.
5. Characters must evolve noticeably as a story progresses (and, for all you writers out there, progress is realizing that brilliance you wrote five years ago is pretty crappy compared to the brilliance you're writing today).
6. Just like characters, we all need goals, and nothing worth having comes easily.
7. Life is filled with reviews. I've found there is a strong correlation between skill level and experience and one's ability to take constructive criticism.
8. No one likes overly needy characters. Remember that the more you care about what others think, the less they'll likely think of you.
9. Far too often, a story's antagonist will do whatever it takes to prevail over the protagonist, no matter how good a person or deserving of positive things that protagonist is. Moreover, the antagonist typically views him/herself as the good guy. Chose your friends wisely.
10. Not all books have happy endings, and oftentimes characters have little to no choice in the outcome. It is up to you, however, to decide which genre your personal book is going to be. (Hint: try not to make it a tear-jerking drama.)
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