One whole year of Writing All Wrong! I’d make a celebratory cake for you all, but my baking skills range from the inept to the maladroit.
Instead, I’ll highlight some of the year’s most popular, hated, and engaging posts. Thank you very much for visiting, and I look forward to more of you picking up something here and putting it to use.
That’s why we’re Writing All Wrong.
Without further ado: This Year’s (Completely Arbitrary) Top Ten of Writing All Wrong
Because it’s by far the most hated, argued, loathed, and despised post in all of Writing All Wrong. It’s been accused of “missing the point” and being “clearly flawed.” I’m fine with opinions on opinions. But if you’re a flash fiction connoisseur, this is a must-read. It’s the only post on the interweb that argues against flash fiction, daring to go where no others are brave enough to tread.
You Don’t Need to Make Your Characters “Relatable”
Because all of the hits on this post come from people who are trying to make characters relatable, and nothing more. If you’re not questioning “why” things should or shouldn’t be done in writing, then you’re doing it wrong.
8 Things to Keep Out of Your Opening Sentence
Because you cannot afford to stumble right out of the gate. A bad enough opening sentence will close the door on your book before there’s a chance to crease its spine.
Because writer’s block is nothing more than a pothole that you dig yourself. It’s a disease suffered only by the “aspiring, wannabe” writer.
Ten Ways to Move from “Wannabe” Writer to “Writer”
Because you’re a fake if you continue to trumpet yourself as something you aren’t – a writer. NASA Weapons Engineer, NBA 3-Point Specialist, Pope: those are things you “aspire” to be. Not with writing. Off the duff and to the desk with you!
Writing Contest? Duh, WINNING!
Because writing contests are less about writing and more about attention. That is fact. But since they’re part of the ecosystem, it’s best you know how to play the game.
Because I had fun on this post, and I think the simile is an underused tool in fiction.
Incongruous Juxtaposition – Genre Combination and the Art of Mayhem
Because it’s funny, and you need to laugh.
Because . . . writing groups – ugh. They’re beyond redemption.
10 Questions Writers Must Ask Themselves
Because you need to be asking more questions of yourself. Calibrate that craft, and interrogate your instincts.
Here’s to another year of Writing All Wrong. Cheers.
Writing All Wrong can be reached via email (WritingAllWrong@me.com) and followed on Twitter (@WritingAllWrong).
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