A thesaurus, a grammar book, and a grip on reality.

Shakespeare & Co., Paris

This article from the Guardian has been making the rounds on blogs and email lists populated by writer-types. It's a compendium of great writing advice by great writers. It's also organized in helpful list form. Lists are good.

Number Seven on Margaret Atwood's list stepped off the screen, slapped me across the face, poured me a cup of black coffee and told me to get back to work when I really needed to hear that. On this snowy New York morning, I hope you find a piece of advice that shakes you awake as well.

You most likely need a thesaurus, a rudimentary grammar book, and a grip on reality. This latter means: there's no free lunch. Writing is work. It's also gambling. You don't get a pension plan. Other people can help you a bit, but essentially you're on your own. Nobody is making you do this: you chose it, so don't whine.
--Margaret Atwood
Posted on Thursday, Feb 25, 2010