2024 Author: Malcolm Clapton | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:44
A professional writer should be able not only to write in an interesting, intelligible and beautiful way. He differs from an amateur in that he does it all the time, regardless of the circumstances, setting and mood. It is the secrets of the second side of professionalism that Hillary Rettig's book “Write professionally. How to overcome procrastination, perfectionism and creative crises."
I must say right away that I can recommend the book to everyone who writes. Are you taking your first steps in writing, or do you already consider yourself a master of words? Is writing your hobby or craft for making a living? Fiction or nonfiction? None of this matters, because the advice in the book is effective for anyone who writes.
Why am I so sure of this? Everything is very simple: I have already used many techniques and methods in my writing practice, having reached the realization of their effectiveness by the “scientific poke” method. Therefore, if you are just starting out, this book will save you from wasting time looking for effective tools. If you are an experienced fighter, add some great writers' weapons to your arsenal.
People who suffer from "writing blocks" think that the reason is laziness or lack of willpower. But this is not the case. It's not a lack of something, but the inability to use what you have: skills, talents, energy, imagination, a sense of responsibility.
Hillary Rettig "Write professionally"
In this book, you will learn how to overcome procrastination and pathological perfectionism. These tips, I'm sure, will be useful not only for writers, although they are given in the context of the writing craft. An entire chapter is devoted to resources, and you will find out what and who refers to them.
Of course, we will talk about time as a resource separately. It seemed to me that I would not learn anything new about time management, but apart from useful additions to my database, I received a delicious motto as a gift:
Always look for where to invest your time, not how to spend it.
I really liked the chapter on optimizing the writing process. I saw that some of my ideas about how this process should go not only inhibit it, but also wake up my inner piper (and this is not the one who plays the bagpipes).
The book details prejudices about writers and writing, and provides advice on how to deal with rejection. Believe me, this will facilitate not only the activity itself, but also your whole life.
The book has only one drawback: it did not come out and did not fall into my hands 10 years ago, when I was just starting my path as a writer. Although, perhaps then I would not have understood how effective and important Hillary Rettig's advice is.
The last chapter and appendix contain tips for a professional who will definitely become an amateur who has worked and put into practice the recommendations from the book "Writing professionally". And this is not just a beautiful statement, but the confidence of someone who has gone from an amateur blogger to a person who makes a living as a writer.
So go for it, every success to you in this exciting field!
Write Professionally by Hillary Rettig
Writing well is a useful skill, and it's not that hard to develop. The best way is through "", a free and cool writing course from the editors of Lifehacker. A theory, many examples and homework awaits you. Do it - it will be easier to complete the test task and become our author. Subscribe!
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