Productive Prose, Better Pages

The Most Useful Writing Advice I Ignored

When you're starting out, you don't know enough to recognizewhich advice matters. You hear it. You nod thoughtfully. Then, if you’re like me, you ignore it completely. Years later, you rediscover it and realize somebody was trying to save you an enormous amount of trouble. Here are six pieces of writing advice I wish I hadn't ignored.

Why Good Endings Can Feel Disappointing

Most advice about endings focuses on resolution. Did the hero succeed? Was the mystery solved? Did the plot deliver on its promises? Those things matter, but they're rarely what readers remember. More often, readers finish a novel with avague sense of satisfaction or disappointment they struggle to articulate. The reason, I suspect, is that every story is really solving two different problems.

Why Writers Stall & How to Get Unstuck

Everyone wants artistic success to involve rare creative ecstasy and dramatic bursts of genius. Writing two books taught me that it comes down to discipline. You eventually end up holding a finished book, which feels almost surprising given how consistently the process resembled low-levelclerical work performed under mild psychological strain.

Non-Decorative Description

Advanced description problems are harder to diagnose than beginner ones. The prose sounds good, which makes writers protective of it. Unfortunately, readers don’t award bonus points for decorative suffering. Here's how you can create details that imply entire worlds, rather than extremely confident wallpaper.

Reviews: The Strange Economy of Stars and Feelings

In self-publishing, reviews matter. They influence readers, visibility, and your mood more than is sensible. One thoughtful review can buoy your week. One odd complaint can have you pacing around with a cup of hot coffee and a keyboard under threat of serious bodily harm. Here's how to survive the opinion market.