In light of the passing of renowned writer Anne Rice, Lit Hub shares some of her most enduring advice to writers.
On writing, my advice is the same to all. If you want to be a writer, write. Write and write and write. If you stop, start again. Save everything that you write. If you feel blocked, write through it until you feel your creative juices flowing again. Write. Writing is what makes a writer, nothing more and nothing less. – from Rice’s official website
Go where the pleasure is in your writing. Go where the pain is. Write the book you would like to read. Write the book you have been trying to find but have not found. But write. And remember, there are no rules for our profession. Ignore rules. Ignore what I say here if it doesn’t help you. Do it your own way. – from Rice’s official website
Ignore critics. Critics are a dime a dozen. Anybody can be a critic. Writers are priceless. – from Rice’s official website
Keep going. Remember that you must finish the novel for it to have a chance in this world. You absolutely must complete it. – from Rice’s Facebook page
Treasure your own voice, your own characters, your own vision. Never think you’re too weird, never think that you’re too crazy. Look, if I can make it, you can make it. –on CBC/Radio-Canada, 2014
