Fortune Cookies Can Sometimes Offer Wise Advice for Writers
July 5th 2010 22:53
Fortune-Cookie Wisdom
I don't generally take fortune-cookie fortunes very seriously. But, one day recently, as I went through some of those slender slips of paper that I'd found among my late mom's papers, I realized how often they consist more of good, sound advice than predictions about the future. And that started me thinking about how many of them might be applied to writing. (Most, it turns out!) So, in honor of Mom's July 3rd birthday, I thought I'd share some of them, along with a few of my own thoughts about each.
I'll share six of them in this post and the other six in my next one.
Here's the first group:
It is quality rather than quantity that matters. Do a good job.
While we certainly need a balance between quality and quantity to earn a living as writers, it's important to be reminded every now and then how much more important quality is than quantity--that is, if we'd like to derive any real satisfaction from our work.
Rely on long time friends to give you advice.
This is such a necessity in the writing--and especially the blogging--world. How often do we savor the support, encouragement, and wise advice of long-time writing and blogging friends?
Others appreciate your good sense of humor.
This is so true for us as writers. When we add a touch of humor to our work, it can lighten heavy topics and provide a moment of pleasure for our readers that makes them enjoy our work even more than they would have without it.
We can learn from everyone, even our adversaries.
For the writer, this can be looked at in more than one way. We can recall people and/or life experiences that have challenged us, recognizing their potential for teaching us lessons that can make our writing richer. We might also think in terms of our critics, who can teach us much about our writing, ourselves, and human nature--providing another rich reservoir from which to create our written works.
It is proper to speak the truth.
As we express ourselves in our writing, authenticity is so important. "Authenticity" may be an overused word in writing circles today, yet I believe it's a concept that will never go out of style. When we speak the truth, transparently sharing our hearts through our writing, we have greater credibility with our reader, which develops a trust that enables the reader to truly enter into our work.
Keep your idealism practical.
I love this one, because, while its emphasis is on practicality over idealism, the first part says, "Keep your idealism," which I believe is step one. While writing for a living involves the necessity to be practical by balancing creativity with pragmatism, we still want to stay true to our ideals, since these are part of the wisdom we impart to our readers. Our goal is to develop a healthy balance, sacrificing neither of these two vital factors in favor of the other.
I hope you've enjoyed these first six examples of fortune-cookie words of wisdom for writers and that you'll tune in next time for the other six.
Keep writing!
Jeanne
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Comment by Lillie Ammann
Comment by Jeanne Dininni
Writer's Notes
Thanks for stopping by to read and comment! I may be two days late, but I thought this would be a nice way to honor Mom, albeit in a very small way.
Comment by Jeanne Dininni
Writer's Notes
Don't think I ever realized just how much until I sat down and read this collection all at the same time!
Comment by Sharon Hurley Hall
Comment by Jeanne Dininni
Writer's Notes
Thanks for stopping by!
Comment by Karen Swim
Comment by Jeanne Dininni
Writer's Notes
It's so true that inspiration is everywhere -- if we will only look for it! And though fortune cookies wouldn't be the first place I'd think of looking for it, I'm glad I found that little stack of sayings among Mom's odds and ends. They gave me a mental and emotional lift, along with the opportunity to remember Mom at birthday time.
Thanks for the visit!
Comment by Dianna G
I Wish This Was 42
Fictional Worlds
Lovely post. Those are some interesting fortunes and definitely things writers-and by that same token, artists of any kind-can really use. I love hearing your take on them as well.
It is proper to speak the truth.
That's the one that really strikes me. Lately I've been noticing a lot of lies. Not big lies, but too big for me. Once upon a time I was a liar-now I hate lying more than anything else. Even the tiniest lie has been known to end a friendship for me-and a relationship as well.
Though I weave worlds and stories of great fantasy, at the story's core I try to keep an element of truth, deeper human truths that we can all recognize. I especially do my best to stay true to my characters, no matter how strange they are.
Love this post just like all the other ones
~Dianna
Comment by Jeanne Dininni
Writer's Notes
Thanks for sharing your thoughts on your favorite fortune-cookie saying. Honesty is really so important, and having that value betrayed isn't a good feeling. Even seeing someone lie to another can be an uncomfortable feeling because it makes us wonder when that individual might decide to do the same to us. Being lied to certainly erodes our trust.
I love what you've said about the deeper human truths you weave into your fantasy stories. That's what makes a story great -- the precise element that can turn a story into a classic. That element of universal truth is what draws the reader deep into the heart of the tale, because he or she can relate to that truth on an emotional -- as well as intellectual -- level.
Thanks so much for your insights! Glad you enjoyed the post!
Jeanne
Comment by Jeanne Dininni
Writer's Notes
Thanks for stopping by Writer's Notes. Drop by again sometime when you have more time to chat.
Jeanne
Comment by Cath Lawson
I can relate to all of these things, particularly quality over quantity. You see so many terrible writing jobs online offering $1 to $2 per article, or ebook page.
It would be so hard to produce decent quality work at those rates, without starving to death.
Comment by Jeanne Dininni
Writer's Notes
I don't even want to get started on the $1, $2, and even $5 per article writing jobs (but here I go).
The argument could (and probably should) be made that the writer's talent and expertise qualify him or her to earn an above-average wage. Yet, so often, we settle for the pittance a client offers, which is too often a mere fraction of our actual value to that client's business. Where would these companies be without us? Many have no one in the company who can write even halfway decent copy, and some (aka, the article mills) earn all their profits on the hard work of the writers they underpay.
Suppose we all said, "That's enough!" They would suddenly be forced to recognize our actual value to their bottom line. Unfortunately, for many reasons, writers will continue to work for less than they are worth. (It is, after all, a complex issue.) But, hopefully, little by little, as we awaken more and more to our real value, we'll all begin seeking and finding higher-paying markets and letting the clients who refuse to play fair fend for themselves.
Thanks again for the visit!
Jeanne