10 Great writing tips from great writers (+10 terrible ones)

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Every writer has their own take on exactly what is needed to write a damn good book. Well, we’re here to either prove or debunk (in our opinion) some wiring tips to help you become the best author you can be.

In this video, we’ll be looking at great writing tips. Everything from sitting down to just write, through to getting into your first draft and is show don’t tell really a thing? Amazing tips from amazing authors, the likes of Margaret Atwood, Hilary Mantel, and more besides.

Plus, we’ll be highlighting some writing tips that we just don’t think are that worthwhile listening to. Yes, just because someone is a great, well respected author, doesn’t mean to have to listen to them! Stephen King, Agatha Christie, Ray Bradbury and even Maya Angelou (sorry!) we’re coming for you.

All in all, it’s your choice whose advice you decide to listen to, but watch this video to get Harry’s opinion on what exactly you should and shouldn’t be listening to.

And a reminder – you can get all the slides from all our YouTube videos by going here:

[kevinobrien]

I think what Agatha Christie was getting at was that inspiration often comes out of mundane activities. With your mind occupied by trivial tasks, it often is more creative because nothing clutters up the creative process. I've seen this with my own writing.

[mich_writes_fiction]

That Anton Chekhov tip is one of the best ones on showing not telling.

[lenandov]

I use my voice recorder on the phone. Anytime I have something, I'll just speak it. And you KNOW speaking thoughts is MUCH faster than writing.

Later, I can listen and write or speak some more.

I try to have something worth writing before I sit to write. But then again, I'm not trying to sell books. I'm just working on a story.

Cheers all. And don't get discouraged. Or if you do, allow it, get over it then continue.

[suesea]

When Ernest Hemingway said to ’sit at the typewriter and bleed, ’ (David Mamet also mentioned the quote) I took it as implying for his soul to bleed, and not meaning that the writing process itself is painful.

[joshdouglas]

thank you! This was the most inspiring thing I've seen on the internet. I've watched dozens of insipid videos of authors stating the obvious. This is the first time I heard writing advice that made me use my brain. Well done!

[donnaharper]

I love the way you organize these tips, giving both good and bad together. Most people run down one list, then the other. Your format is so much more effective. Thank you.

[Journey_to_who_knows]

Brilliant tip, if you need new ideas, smash your head against the keys and what words can be autocorrected, use them

[LadyEmpathy]

I have now subscribed. You're amazing!

[danielwright]

I discovered the best ideas come from my first rewrites. For instance, I was working on a rewrite of a short story--a Lovecraftian tale for the modern era--when halfway thru the process I received an idea that broke the story wide open and now I'm 60, 000 words into making it into a novel, with potential to carry the story further in follow up novels. I can't wait to see what happens when I complete the rough draft and work on the rewrite of the novel.

[AnimeEmpress]

Really great advice, esp the tip on suspense!

[lanadelrey]

The Agatha tip is probably the best and most useful one i've ever read, but i think it depends entirely on what kind of person you are.

[jeffwatkins]

I really like your practical approach, Harry. It has its eye on the pro writing ball. My only caveat is I think you do Ray Bradbury an injustice. He was a poet, and his quote glitters with his brand of star-struck hyperbole. But what it boils down to is "love to write." And that IMO is the best possible advice for a writer.

[ExploreEmbraceExpress]

I LOVE your insight! One of the most frustrating things about watching videos on writing is how many contradictory tips there are. Sometimes it’s to the point there are so many rules it feels restrictive. I love writing for the freedom of expression, and I appreciate you showing us no matter how great a writer may be, their advice may not be as great. This video is a good reminder critical thinking is a real thing that we should implement any time we are listening to advice. Thank you for your content.

[rachelleyutzy]

I really enjoyed this video. Thank you for sharing. I am definitely going through your playlist!

[johnparnham]

An interesting comment about adverbs. Almost everybody who teaches writing seems to want you to avoid them like the plague. Steven King is univsaly qouted as an example but Bernard Cornwell uses them in his novels and the writing doesn't suffer one bit. They say that using adverbs is 'telling not showing' but it seems to me that adverbs are often necassary to keep the book moving.

[hannahloser]

Thank you, this is really going to help me! -Brian Griffin

[leedarkin-miller]

Walking shares a history with writing. Mindless activities catch gold. Agatha C's comment is spot on.

[augustllewellyn]

#11 understand the contexts behind the bad points, and realise, they are paradoxically perfect.

[BidwellRunner]

2:22
The description advice is great. Sometimes people imitate the descriptions of old novels, but when those were written people didn't have computers, tvs. Textual descriptions were the only source of info for what China looked like, what the jungle and desert looked like, to people of yesteryear. Modern audiences don't want to read a description of something they've seen unless it is meaningful in some way.

[Krztph]

I really liked this video. I thought it was great how you actual bad tips from real authors to show that sometimes bad advice could come from good sources