Recognize Bad Advice and Winner of Ditzy Doings Prize

Bad advice. At least once, we’ve all listened to it, then wished we’d spit it in a bucket somewhere.  

As serious writers, musicians, parents, or friends, we are forever looking for ways to improve our skill and reach more hearts with our lives. We read books, attend conferences, and go on as many blogs as we can, to get the best advice possible.  

But sometimes we come across a bit of bad advice. If we know it’s bad, good. We can spit it out like a cow spits out the stubble, only swallowing the grain. If we’re unaware that it’s bad, then not good. We can go down a wrong path in our career, or at the very least, waste precious time.  

A frustrated writer once told me not to read craft books, stating that my writing was good enough and those books would only confuse me. Had I listened to this bad advice, I would be a much poorer writer than I am today. With the help of all the craft books I’ve read, in spite of that poor advice, I believe my writing is improving every time I sit down to type, or get out my journal to muse.  

Have you ever read or heard some bad advice concerning your writing, or another skill? Did you know it was bad, or did you listen to it, later realizing it wasn’t sound? How do you sift advice to weed out the stubble from the precious grain that nourishes?

And now, the Winner of our Ditzy Doings Prize goes to...

GLENDA CHILDERS of  Gg-notes on the journey

Congratulations, Glenda, for making us feel so smart, and for being courageous enough to share your fun moment!

If you'd like to see what ditzy doing won Glenda a tropy and a $5 gift card, click on this link: Win a Prize for the Most Ditzy Doing!

Good Advice-filled Day,

The Treasure of Good Advice

Last Wednesday we talked about bad advice we’ve received in our writing careers. I was impressed by your wisdom in discerning the difference between treasures worth keeping and junk masquerading as valuable.

Today let’s share some good advice we’ve received. For me, the recommendation to attend a writers’ conference, and the ensuing cheerleading I received at the two I’ve attended, have enriched my writing career beyond every dream. Another priceless gem I benefited from was to read excellent writing. It sounds almost too simple, but it works. As you read articles, books and poems that are well-written, you learn by example how to artfully craft your own works.

What valuable counsel has helped you most in your quest to improve your writing? What rubies of wisdom would you give to new writers needing some help?