Writing Advice From Twitter

In this post, Writers Write explores writing advice from Twitter.

Twitter is great for writers.

Twitter is for opinions and thoughts. You can voice your own, or dig through others’.

Here is the best writing advice from Twitter.

Writing Advice From Twitter

1. Support Writers

‘Writers I know have gone above and beyond the call of duty to support each other privately and publicly during this pandemic.’ @jodipicoult

Responding to @inferno4dante, Picoult had this to say in January 2021.

While the first tweet was removed, we can guess what it said. The first poster might have been complaining about lack of support during COVID.

Support writers, and you will receive support. Writers are nice – at least, most of them are.

If you are not getting support, find another audience.

2. Use Talent (and Ink)

‘I wrote first 2 Potters by hand and typed them on a 10 yr old typewriter. All a writer needs is talent and ink.’ @jk_rowling

In August 2016, JK Rowling revealed that a writer doesn’t need fancy equipment.

When asked how a writer can get started sans a MacBook, she dug into her own process. It’s not about what you use to write it, but about what’s being written.

A MacBook could have written this sentence, but a quill or pen also might have.

Focus on your writing, not only your gear.

3. Throw The Style Book

‘It’s simple: throw the style book out. If you hear a comma in your head, the comma goes in (see what I did there?). If you don’t you don’t.’ @StephenKing

Stephen King says to throw the style book out.

King says write the first draft, and then edit the second.

Don’t get stuck on style. There’s always time for this later.

4. Write First, Draft Second

‘Write down everything that happens in the story, and then in your second draft make it look like you knew what you were doing all along.’ @neilhimself

Neil Gaiman supports a hefty first draft.

First, he says: write everything down.  This gets the story on paper. The second draft lets the writer go back, make changes, and improve the story.

Never hold back when you write. Anything that doesn’t fit (or fits elsewhere) can be changed in the second edit.

5. Use Beta Readers

‘I’m about to turn in the next Temperance Brennan manuscript, and Skinny is helping me with the last few details.’ #amwriting #Bones #ColdColdBones’ @KathyReichs November 2021

Bones author Kathy Reichs had this to say in November 2021.

She ran her manuscript Cold, Cold Bones by her cat for thoughts.

Her process is good advice for any writer. Use beta readers, even if you tell your story to your cats. Soon, recounting your story lets you see how it can be better – and how it reads through.

Read out loud. When sentences ‘don’t seem right’, this is where you notice.

6. Keep Writing

‘The only advice anybody can give is, if you wanna be a writer, keep writing. – Stan Lee, RIP Storytelling Legend’ @JP_Books

James Patterson quoted Stan Lee on his own Twitter account.

While Patterson has given enough advice of his own, it’s good to see that even our writing heroes have heroes.

Stan Lee’s advice is often repeated. That’s because you should listen: even Patterson thinks it’s great advice.

Keep reading, and keep writing.

7. Marry Writing

‘Love this advice from Patricia Cornwell in our current issue: “Treat your writing like a relationship and not a job.”‘ @WritersDigest

Writers Digest posted advice from Patricia Cornwell on their Twitter account.

Cornwell says writers should be as dedicated to their work as to marriage.

Love it, treasure it, work at it every day. That’s how a writer should be to their work. Once it becomes a job, there’s reason to hate doing it!

The full interview was for the October 2012 issue of Writer’s Digest.

8. Encourage Yourself

‘It took me 40 years to write my first book. When I was a child, I was not encouraged to follow the career of a writer because my parents thought that I was going to starve to death.’ @PauloCoelho

Paul Coelho wasn’t encouraged to write. He did it anyway.

A lot of people say writing isn’t a real job. (Well, then writers don’t pay real bills, either.)

Coelho encouraged himself. He also went on to become a bestselling author.

Sometimes, you can’t count on anyone else for kind words. You’ve got to keep writing, and encourage yourself.

The Last Word

I hope this writing advice from Twitter inspires you to write your book.

By Alex J. Coyne. Alex is a writer, proofreader, and regular card player. His features about cards, bridge, and card playing have appeared in Great Bridge Links, Gifts for Card Players, Bridge Canada Magazine, and Caribbean Compass. Get in touch at alexcoyneofficial.com.

If you enjoyed this, read other posts by Alex:

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2. 8 Elements Of Great Gothic Fiction
3. 7 Bits Of Editing Advice From Famous Writers
4. 8 Bits Of Writing Advice From Eudora Welty
5. 6 Bits Of Writing Advice From Louis L’Amour
6. 7 Bits Of Writing Advice From John Irving
7. 6 Writing Lessons From The World’s Top Websites
8. How To Write Like A Leader
9. 7 Journalism Mistakes (That Got To Print)
10. 6 Bits Of Writing Advice From The Beat Generation
11. 8 Bits Of Songwriting Advice (From Bestselling Songwriters)

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