My 12 advice step for those who are aspiring writers like me · 5:17am Jun 17th, 2012
The reason I’m writing this is because chances are you’re like me, an aspiring writer who want to write and be recognized for your work. All of us write for different reasons. I write because I like to express my creativity and make people feel something when they read my stories. Be it sadness, happiness, anger, or more, if I can get you to feel something for a fanfic then I feel that I’ve done my job.
However, like most of us, I’m still in a sense learning how to hone the craft of writing. It’s not something you can just learn in a few weeks or months, it takes years to develop the right skills. Some are better learned while others are forced to learn on their own like me.
This is my advice for those who are trying to reach that extra mark and be like the high class writers we admire and look up to in this fandom and in writing in general.
1. If you’re writing then you are a writer
-The concept of being a writer is always different for everybody. Some people say you have to write a book to be a writer, others say you got to have specific concepts. I know people who claim I’m not a writer, but to me I am one. Because a writer is a person who writes. Doesn’t matter if he’s good or not, the moment you start making a story, essay, poem or script, you are a writer. Don’t let anybody else tell you otherwise
2. Never stop climbing the ladder
-Don’t think that just because you get a 10,000 hit marker on your story and get it to Equestria Daily that you’re the best writer in the world. There is always somebody higher then you and you can always achieve better. Never stop dreaming bigger and bigger the more you get up the rope. That being said, focus on taking your progress slow. Start with one shots, head up to short stories, then work on bigger ideas. Start in FIMfiction and then try to aim for Equestria Daily. You get on Equestria Daily, aim to get into The Vault. Take it right and take it slow. And when you do reach that goal, make a new one and achieve higher.
3. There is no true path
-There is no absolute way to become a writer. There is no single path that will equal success. Each writer follows a different path and sometimes they switch paths along the way. The path you’re on may be the best path you got, but it may take years to see success. Don’t search for the “right way”. Search for “your way”.
4. You will always feel the worst writer in the world
-This happens to everyone. It’s happen to me plenty of times. You look around this site and you see dozens of writers who are better then you and get more attention then you. Some days you just want to scream on how everything is unjust in the world. You think you’re nothing and that everything you write it’s nothing. You hate how everyone looks perfect and you’re constantly tired of people telling you to do this and that because every damn detail counts. You submit your fic and you get turned down so you hate on the Pre-Readers because you think the only way you’ll be recognized is if you’re perfect like them.
Listen buddy, life is never fair. It’s always going to suck and you will always have bad days. The thing that matters when this happens is if you can move on and work harder so you don’t have these bad days. If you let yourself get down from these negative feelings you’re only going to go so far in life. This stuff happens all the time so deal with it in a way that works for you.
5. You need both Creative and Technical
-The keys to making a story are the combination of good Creative and Technical writing. Most people will tell you that you need to be a good technical writer, but that’s not always the case. Even if a story looks good with all the grammar and structure, it can still have a terrible plot and horrible setting.
Granted, some people are better off in one area and have trouble in the other. I happen to be a very good Creative Writer, but not a good Technical Writer. To some people, they won’t care about one or the other, but if you want to get a higher rank in writing you will need to improve on both (Especially the technical writing in this fandom. It’s brutal among critics) Yes, you can have editors and such to help you with this problem, but it’s best to learn the two as well as you can. It will help you in the long run.
6. Take criticism like a man
-You are going to get spit at, cursed, insulted, and disliked for your fanfics. Everybody does this to everybody. Even a fic like Fallout Equestria gets hated for its existence. And you know what, who cares? People don’t like fics for various reasons. Maybe it’s the writing style, the plot doesn’t appeal to them, or it’s going into a direction they can’t follow. I liked Anthropology at first, but then after the whole “Human revelation” from Celestia I just stopped reading because I didn’t like the twist. Doesn’t mean I think it’s a bad fic, it just doesn’t appeal to me anymore.
Even when you’re going to Ponychan for editors and proof-reading, you’re going to have your fic ripped apart. Just remember, criticism helps you. A lot. It’s what helps us find what’s wrong with our stories and how we can improve on them. I want people to tell me my stories are bad because I want to see what my weaknesses are and how I can improve them. Yeah, it’s going to hurt your pride, but this goes back to my fourth advice. Learn to deal with it
And you don’t have to listen to the criticism; it’s your choice to do so or not. But I heavily recommend that you look at what the critic is saying, look at that part of your fic, and then read it carefully so you can judge for yourself if it’s good or bad. More often then not you'll find them right.
7. Be patient
-This is something I learned the hard way. Take. You’re. Time. Go at a pace that works best for you. Leave your work alone for a few days before re-reading it. Read it again and again. Edit it. When you think you’re ready to post. Delay it, send it to your editors, read it again. One mistake I’ve made is that I’ve always posted when I wasn’t ready because I was too edger. Wait for the right moment and then post. Wait for your audience to come. Wait for your moment to shine. Wait.
8. Be proud of your work
-Just as there will always be people who hate your work, there will be people who love it as well. People like reading what they like to read. There is no universal “best” or “worst” fics, only popular ones and not popular ones. But even those unpopular fics still have fans. Always be proud to have them by your side and make them the ones you want to please.
Remember, all fics should be geared towards a specific audience. Not a Pre-Reader, not everybody, but a specific audience. I write How We Met for Fluttershy and Dash fans. It doesn’t have a huge following, but Flutter/Dash fans love it. Upon Wings of Sacrifice is meant for Tragedy and Adventure lovers, not an overall romance story even though it plays the part. You must make the audience you want to target the focus of your fic, because if you stay on course you will attract others.
Never the less, you must always feel proud of your work. If you’re wondering if anything you doing is worth it. Take a look at your comments and see the people who praise your fic. They’re the ones who are happy to read it. And as a writer, that’s fine by me.
9. Don’t be obsessed with Equestria Daily
-I’m going to say this right now. Equestria Daily’s pre-readers are good people and I respect them. I don’t always agree with their methods or choices, but I respect the hell out of them. I’ve managed to get on that site twice(Once under a different name before I took this one), but this was before all the major rules were put down. Yet, it’s still one of my proudest moments.
There are readers out there who will not read a fic unless it’s passed the Pre-Readers. To some, if it’s not on Equestria Daily it must not be good enough no matter how much praise it gets on FIMfiction. It’s not their fault, that’s people opinion. Others hate the site because they think the rules are too strict and the Pre-Readers are all opinionated and like to dismiss a fic if they just plain don’t like it. Well, it is a personal blog written by personal people so it’s they’re right to deny and allow.
The thing is, while getting a fic on Equestria Daily is a good achievement, it shouldn’t be the focus of your writing. Your focus should be on your audience. I do try to get on the site too, just like anybody else, but my main focus is on this site. It’s better, it’s got less restrictions, and you get a much bigger quality of fics. You want to focus a single story to get on Equestria Daily, go ahead, but don’t get obsessed on it and forget who really matters. Your readers.
10. Reading is good, but writing is better
-Yes, reading is good for you and it will help you, but just because you can read War and Peace doesn’t mean you can write it just as good. Reading helps you get ideas for how to write, but like any idea it needs to be taken into practice. That’s where writing comes in. The best thing to do is write, write, and write. Sure you may suck at first, but like any craft you work on it to get better. Start writing now and don’t ever stop. One day you’ll get to that point where you can write just as good as the stories you read.
11. Be friends with your editors
-There is no shame depending on an editor. Professionals do it all the time. You will go though tons of bad drafts just to get every mistake out and who are the people who spend their time doing that? Your editors. You want to get to know your editor and learn from them so you can learn how to be better yourself. My main editor has become a good friend and we’ve both help each other in our stories. He also helps me learn my mistakes and points out what I can do to improve. We may not agree on everything, but he, as well as my other editors, has helped me learned a lot. Granted, I still have more to learn but either way it’s good to know who your editors are.
12. Never give up
-When I was struggling in college, I wrote on a mini-white board that said “Never Give Up, you will be a Game Designer”. That board’s ink hasn’t changed in 3 years and I look at it every morning when I wake up and every evening when I go to bed. If you give up on something, you have lost. When I look at myself when it comes to writing I know I can achieve the same amount of success all the five and six star writers in this fandom have accomplished and bring a similar impact that they have caused. It’s going to take many fanfics, many trial and errors, and many bad days but I feel I can get there.
And the same should be said for you. So what if you get shot down by the Pre-Readers a dozen times. Work your butt off to show them whose boss. They want you to succeed just as much as I and the rest of us do. Maybe you’ll make it and maybe you won’t. But how will never know if you give up.
That’s my advice. Say what you will.
Rated out
I SO needed to see something like this posted. All true, and it's actually parallel to the premise of a chapter I hope to write.
My only frustration is you can't favourite blogposts
I was about to click on my stories tab to continue my WIP when I saw my notifications, and thus this.
I so totally needed this. How did you know?
178842>>178838
Because all writers are like this. Even the best. We need to hear this stuff from each other to know what we are and where we're going.
Wonderful advice to take to heart, I can't seem to though.
I keep getting bogged down so much that I don't feel like writing anymore.
I liked this
I've gotten a few people ask me for advice on writing. If I get any more, I'm going to point them towards this. It sums everything up perfectly.
179359
Cool
Good blog post.
I wondered if it was just me who was so neurotic about my work and my stats, but from what I've seen, a lot of writers on here tear their hair out over this stuff. Lately I've been beating myself up for not having a good "watcher to views" ratio. I think the main thing is that I'm better at marketing my stories than writing them, so I tend to disappoint people.
264995
Well if you please at least some fans, you've done something. You should still take pride in your work and your accomplishments as a writer.
I was diving through the site, and I found this blog post.
Thank you, I really needed to read something like this. Yesterday I started to feel pretty sad, I don't know exactly why, but thanks to your words now I'm feeling much better.
Mind if I put a link to this in my userpage?
423651
Sure
What a wonderful blog post - I love running into lists like these, that help aspiring writers. A shame that, in many cases, the things you have outlined are things that people only learn as cold hard lessons through time.
In particular, you bring up, perhaps subtly, that writing transcends ponies.....the quote "you can't rush art" comes to mind: for many of the youngest aspiring, it's easy for them to give up and get frustrated, especially in the face of writers who, from the get go, seem to have a talent and ability to become popular with everything they write -- those people however, have been writing typically for years before they came to this fandom....it's the same thing with musicians, animators or what not -- the biggest most popular in the fandom, didn't become as talented as they are overnight, but because they have been practicing for years, and their arrival into the fandom could be seen as a "right place at the right time" kind of moment - that they are bringing their talents at the level in which we find them, only because they have spent years cultivating their talents till now...it's just, that now, they are making works about ponies. It's easy to get frustrated at not being able to have the spot-light, but as before, those that get it didn't cheat their way in, but have been working for years.
And for that matter, they aren't chasing popularity....people do what they do because they love to do it - whatever popularity they get, is purely an unintended byproduct of them simply doing what they love to do. Yes, everyone wants to be acknowledged and praised, but attempting to start making fanworks, or cultivating any sort of talent purely for the sake of attention, will be hollow, self-defeating, and you will probably fail before you even really begin...it's a lesson I learned myself when I wrote a few stories as a teenager about 10 years ago: I quickly discovered that the few positive reviews I was getting, as nice as they were, were not enough to spur me on and I began to re-evaluate why I was even writing in the first place...Sure, I had some natural talent in writing, but I was making a lot of fundamental mistakes in the "why" department, and the ego-stroking I was getting wasn't enough to keep going.
And even if you don't become popular....well, that's a subjective term at any rate: what is popularity? Getting onto Equestria Daily? or having a small dedicated group of fans? I'd say the latter much more then the former...that your fic which never makes it to the front page, may seem frustrating, but having a group of people who can't get enough of it, should more then makes up for it - That for some reason, your work is not reaching the highest levels of notoriety, is not necessarily because your writing is undeserving of it (the phrase "correlation does not imply causation" comes to mind), and as before, if you have a group of people who love your fics, you should find that's more then enough. Popularity is simply too much of a fickle thing to chase after or be concerned with, much less be the reason why you do what you do in the first place - regardless of whether you get 'popularity' or how long it lasts, you'll wake up tomorrow at the same level you were at the day before. The common fact that wonderful works barely get acknowledged, while trite gets celebrated every single day, no matter what we are talking about, should be sufficient proof enough to further put a pretense like "popularity" away from your mind. You want acknowledgement? You want attention? Fine, but do it for the right reasons, do it because you actually want to better yourself for the sake of it, and like a 'happy accident', you find your works one day on the front page...you'll probably get there faster, like that, instead of just been trying to desperately bring attention to yourself from the first step, assuming you get there at all.
As for Equestria Daily, I'm glad you made one entire reason concerning them because, perhaps with the fandom in general or any great interest a person can have, obsessions can very easily become unhealthy, and too many have an unhealthy desire with getting noticed by them -- while I wouldn't say I have a vendetta against them (why would you?), it's wrong to see them, or their standards, as representing the highest echelons of writing or the highest level of anything...in the end, they are simply another pony site with a dedicated group of people with dedicated interests -- that's it...in the same vein as not chasing fickle popularity, you shouldn't be improving yourself for the sake of trying to get on their website, so you can feel proud and acknowledged and you finally hit the big time......No no no -- once again, what are they? They are just a group of fans who have specific interests and tastes....that's all: They are fans like you and me, who like what they like, and don't like what they don't like. You shouldn't try to appeal to them as a constituency, or worse, see them and their choices as objectively the highest category of what bronyhood has to offer.... Do you feel like your fanwork rightfully deserves to be on their website and isn't? Newflash, Maybe that's the truth! - maybe your work is objectively high-quality, and got ignored because they simply didn't like how so-and-so was presented, or simply didn't like the concept to begin with ...is that really an objective critique that you should take to heart and bash yourself for it, and must now constantly re-edit your work to fit their standards ? Hardly, and especially if you already have your own dedicated audience who love your work for what it is ....as before, they are just fans like you and me, who have their specific tastes, regardless of what they are or how picky they may be, and the last thing you should do is put a simple blog, a fansite, on a white pedestal or as a critical threshold that you must reach no matter what to prove your awesomeness.....it all goes back to the same old question: are you writing because you love too, or just chasing popularity? Because the latter will fade, and you'll wake up tomorrow on the same level you were before, regardless of who noticed you, how many people, when they did, or whatever.
Focus on quality, focus on appealing to the people who actually matter, and not chasing after empty notoriety...you can argue that you're only as popular as you are talented, and, say, seeing EQD as this critical threshold is indeed good because it gives you something to shoot for and getting on their website is a sign of how much you progressed...but that's just not true - it goes back to the 'correlation does not imply causation'....and that, all the time, trite work is celebrated over ignored gems, regardless of what we are talking about. As ever, write stories/make music/whatever because you love to do it, better yourself for the sake of it and not because you are chasing notoriety (and if you get it? A happy accident), and appeal to the people who actually matter and not those who don't, no matter how popular they are - for the nth time, you may think you or others are only as popular as they are talented, but that's simply not true, and you shouldn't judge yourself and your works, or others, but the level of acknowledgement they get. By all means, scour FimFiction for quality fics that don't have 1000 upvotes...you'd be shocked at the kind of creativity and quality that will forever go completely unnoticed, simply because it never hit the front page.
Very often, it doesn't even seem to be popularity that would-be writers/musicians/whatevers are chasing after, but simply the fun and excitement that seemingly comes with popularity - my advice to them? Make some friends....really! Why? Because if you find a group of like-minded people who share the same interests as you, that you can talk too and email with....then suddenly it doesn't matter how talented or popular any of you are...that alone can make a world of difference in how much enjoyment you are getting, and make you forget all about writing, making music or whatever it was you thought you wanted to do.
Other times, they simply want to put themselves out there more and become more like the super-productive and passionate fans...that's fine, but as ever, do it for the right reasons and keep things in perspective: When I was in high school, I remember I wanted to be more like the super-passionate people of the fandoms I loved, who went to all the cons, made quality fanworks, and so on....what happened? I failed before I began because I simply didn't have the time, money, or even desire to put myself out there as much as I wanted to - what's worse, it was causing me to like the fandoms less. Don't let that happen to you.....the same way you shouldn't feel miniscule by the biggest in the fandom, or those who are super-passionate and creative, don't feel you have to "prove" yourself and make fan-content in order to have fun or feel acknowledged, that's silly - the biggest fans are only the biggest because they have so much time and so on to devote themselves to ponies, and for almost everyone, that's simply not the case....we have real-life obligations that prevent us from doing more (which is nothing to be ashamed of), or shoot, maybe you just aren't that big of a fan - it doesn't matter....put yourself out there as much as you can and are comfortable with... and if you want to do more, do it for the right reasons, and not necessarily for acknowledgement: it will be much easier on you, and probably more successful. Once again, I say all of this because I went through all of these feelings myself.
And finally, to return to my original point....was how I loved the subtle message of "writing transcends ponies"....anything does - the people who are most talented (talented, not necessarily celebrated) are the way they are because they worked their butt off to get there, long before this show existed...and they will undoubtedly keep improving regardless if they drop out, or after the show ends -- in the same way, you shouldn't not write, or whatever if you feel it's "too late"...that you'll never get to the high level you want because the show's popularity will end by the time you get there.....that's ridiculous! There is nothing that says that FiM will lose it's following anytime soon, or that the show will end anytime soon for that matter - if making quality pony fanworks is so important to you, start right now! Maybe you won't get the quality (or more accurately, notoriety) anytime soon, or even ever, but you will start to improve yourself....you'll start off, on what others started ages ago, and even if you never get the popularity you wanted to in the Brony fandom....guess what? it's not the end of the world: especially if you discover a new fandom, and now you are the "hot-shot" with the high talent who is just making awesome fanworks left and right and seemingly got that way "overnight".
"You can't rush art", plain and simple, and very often, it's ignored anyway for something lesser...ultimately, who cares though? Do what you do because you love it, and cater to those who care and love you for it: EQD has it with their standards and their audience...make your own!
(Sorry for the mega-long post - you brought up a lot of things I haven't gone into in a long time, and I found myself with a lot more then I expected to say)
This is amazing, and it doesn't just apply to writing it applies to life in general
I tend to get frustrated 'cause I put a lot of work into my stuff and take a lot of time on it, and then nobody notices it.
(especially on my Deviantart account) I look at all the other great pictures or stories and think I'll never get there, yet I've made progress. Their are a lot of helpful things, but that last rule I have to say is the best, I get discourged a lot but I know I'm making progress and someday people will notice my stuff. As long as you never give up you'll get there. 
This is just too amazing for words, it's really inspiring and really helpful. There truly is nothing better then knowing that other people go through the same struggles you do, and because of that can help you. You've certainly helped me with this advice, and just the thought that other writer's are also perfectionist's who think there work isn't good enogh makes me happy, great to know I'm not alone
1010767 Really this is just about as amazing at the actual post
Popularity is a fun thing to have, but if you don't enjoy yourself and focus too much on standards, you won't be happy. If you just focus on having fun though, you may come up with better results then you thought you could
It's really such a simple concept, and I continue to wonder why so many don't see that. comments are fun because you can find ways to improve yourself (constructive criticism) or to start up a fun conversation, not just to get praised. It's nice to get praised, but it's even nicer to actually talk and make friends.
Really when making a story (or whatever else) a good rule to follow is, make it so you can enjoy it , not so others can. If you don't like your story then improve it. If you do like it, post it. If nobody seems to notice it, well what does that matter?
As long as you can enjoy it, then that's all that really matters. In the end your only doing this because you enjoy it, not because you want to be popular, as that will only make you upset and frustrated.
Honestly I gave game design a try (I will admit I enjoy it and still make indie games every once in a while) but it takes a lot to do and it wasn't what I felt was my calling in life (that I found to be music or to be more specific, the arts but I still do it) so I decided to move on to try other things before settling on it and I think that was the best decision in my life because I moved to poetry and eventually writing in general plus other things such as animation but I also found that I had a huge passion for music and now I am a DJ (and producer) and I love it. What I am saying is while you may think that something sounds cool and would be amazing as a career, it might not be for you so my advice to you: Give game design a try but don't focus all your efforts on it unless you generally enjoy it fully and you feel like its your passion, I enjoy it but keep it as a hobby which could be turned into a career if needed be but I wouldn't choose it over other things like music (DJing and producing). If you need guidance for where to start I'd be happy to help, after all you helped me in more ways than you know.