This is in all areas of this work: editors have little to no say in what they can accept and work with; it all passes by the lovely marketing folks and the acquisitions people, bean-counters and number-crunchers.
I am in agreement with you, Ramona, but this thing is far more insidious and wide-spread.
But one does have to be able to live with the knowledge that what they might have to offer the world isn't "enough"--and so they strive to be what is wanted.
Then again, if I'm in a different mood when someone asks the question, and at my most cynical, I might have another answer. Quite the question you've raised here!
Are you saying they ask that question because they don't want to get it wrong and maybe waste a lot of time getting there? Could be, but aren't they just whistling in the wind by asking complete strangers what they should write about?
Someone in advertising or computer science would answer completely differently than someone who writes essays or opinions or fiction or poetry or....
I guess my point is, since there's no simple answer, why ask the question?
My mind takes me to: why ARE they asking the question?
And to the writing/publishing sphere as a whole.
Why would someone take the time to set up a Substack account, come to office hours, and "whistle in the wind" about this if they didn't have some sort of desire to do... something? Do people really have that much time? They might. I'm shocked by how much time people inject into the likes of Twitter.
I do think that too many people feel utterly lost these days--and that is a sad piece indeed. They might just begin to write--anything--and then to listen, to hear what their deep self is saying.
Yes, you're right. People do feel lost these days, and maybe I'm being unfair. Maybe they're not looking for an easy fix. Maybe they're simply looking for someone to tell them it's okay to write what they want to write. But that's now what they're asking, is it?
So then the debbil' on my shoulder wants to say there are enough dilletantes in the writing world. You can't start writing by asking strangers what you should write about. Once you've taken the time to learn the craft, you'll be brimming with ideas.
Exactly. The kind of person who says "What should I write about?" should sort themselves out first. I mean, would you turn up to a photography club and ask people what to take pictures of? It's ridiculous.
Omg I’m the first to comment! That never happens. Here’s my experience:
Writers want to write. They have a big book idea, they might have even started writing it, but they have been told that to sell that book eventually they need to begin building their brand yesterday. And part of that brand, for a writer, is a platform where they write short-form content regularly so would-be readers of their eventual novel will fall in love with their voice and ideas and then buy and read the eventual book so the author can finally start making money from the book.
But, especially as a long-form fiction writer, it’s hard to know what to write in short form on a regular basis.
What I’ve heard, and what I pass along, is to write around the themes you treat in your stories. My book is about reproductive rights and motherhood, so I write about motherhood and women’s issues. It’s a sci fi dystopian book, so I share other dystopian/sci fi stories. That kind of thing.
That’s my answer. Think about the themes of your broad work and write about it in short form. Notice connections as you go through your days, make lists of ideas for essays, get clear on how these ideas are connected to the themes in your long form work, and write about them.
This is a good response (and by that, I meant to Ramona's points here!) I leapt into my answer...and you've reminded me to slow and ask the person what is their end-goal...so I can understand the question better. Thank you. I do find this marketing aspect of the new world of publishing just HARD though--after publishing a memoir of caregiving, I had to write a number of unpaid articles for publications in order to market the thing. Later, I realized if I'd done it the other way around--published the short pieces first, done the platform-building thing, the book would have sold to a larger publisher. But I wanted to get it out into the world because it was the book that I wanted to read when I was going through...
It really is a sick game we have to put ourselves through. Especially if you really only want to write the one book, it’s so hard to realize too late that you should have done things in reverse.
My response was based on my own work which is long form but it’s so hard to keep up with making short form content because it detracts from the focus of the larger story in trying to tell. I’m getting better, though, and I’ve been consistent with nicci’s notes for quite some time now.
My experience with publishing my own novel has led me to begin another book, this time nonfiction, about all the things I learned a day late and a dollar short about publishing my novel. Will I learn from my past mistakes? One can only hope…
Yes... it was the rejection letter from HarperCollins saying how much they loved it blah blah blah, and how much they'd like to see my next memoir... that hurt. They want to see numbers, not words.
My hopes are that I never have to go through ALS again with anyone... so can't imagine writing a second!
Good luck with your nonfiction book, Nicci. It sounds very interesting. I've been published by 'proper' publishers several times, but became so disillusioned that I went down the self-publishing route, and like it much better.
Thanks! Yeah even the process of finding an agent/publisher was disillusioning.
I am publishing my nonfiction book in installments at the Writing Cooperative and then will release the whole thing along with a masterclass after it’s done!
Hmm. I'm not the best one to answer the question, because I've never asked it. I occasionally ask myself, "Of several writing ideas or projects, which I should devote attention to?" Or "Do I have enough time to work with this idea I just had, or do I make notes on it and hope I can retrieve that thread later?" (I'm 50/50 on working from my notes — sometimes I understand what I've written, but the notes don't put me back in the mainframe where I SEE the results in my head again.) I guess if someone asked me, "What should I write about?", I'd have to counter with, "What have you written up to this point in your life?" And if they can't give me examples, then, sorry, you're not a writer and you need to think about another line of work.
I think the stock answers are 'Write what you know', or 'write what your heart tells you to write', or 'What would you like to write about?' But aren't they just fluff-offs and time-wasters?
Not to drop in as a Pollyanna here but is it possible that this is not *really* the question they are asking; rather, they may be asking if what they DO have in mind, is worth doing. Sometimes it's just the simple act of wanting someone to blow on your embers when the criticism and rejection seems overwhelming. Of course maybe such a person shouldn't be writing at all (although my own skin can be quite thin depending on the day!) - but I suspect many of us have felt this way :) That said, I have also been in writing workshops where people push back in their chair and say things like "Yeah I've meant to publish a couple of short stories but just haven't got round to it yet." Arghh!
Yes, in my kinder moments I want to think they're just floundering and don't know where else to go. This writing business is such damned hard work! We're slaving here and we're unappreciated. New writers see that soon enough and it's demoralizing.
I do think they ask it out of desperation, but it's asked so often now it's become too easy an out.
What obligation do we, as toiling writers, have to try to come up with a satisfactory answer? I'm asking, now that I think of it, because maybe I'm feeling guilty for NOT answering.
I mean, my whole role here at Writer Everlasting is to build a comfort station for writers. Why am I turning my back on those who ask an essentially unanswerable question? Is it because the question suggests they're not serious about the craft? That could be it.
It's why I've turned to you all to see what you think.
This is a fascinating question. I love your comparison to asking ‘what kind of air should I breathe today?’ That said, I understand the impulse. I think the question is born out of desperation as well as indecision. I've asked it before, but it's almost always rhetorical. I've asked it aloud in those moments I feel like I'll never have another idea, but I know the question of what to write is a problem I have to solve myself. Only I can save myself by simply committing to a topic or a paper or a story, even when I feel unsure about it. Deciding to go for it is how the real work can begin. I wonder if the people asking this question in office hours are simply afraid of committing to any idea in case it ends up being the wrong one.
The other question I find interesting is "how do I keep writing". I think sometimes the how of writing can be as inexplicable as the what. Obviously there's plenty to learn in terms of style and technical skill, but how do you give instructions on sitting with the blank page until something comes out?
I do think fear and desperation enter into it, and I have to say, they always get kind and thoughtful answers on Office Hours. So may it has some value. if only to let them know they're not alone. But I still shy away from it. Maybe because I can't think of a useful answer.
I think your question, "How do I keep writing?" is a good one. Maybe that'll be the next Q&A!
Write about what you feel and what you know - your own experiences and own feelings. Start there. It can lead to fiction, it can lead to auto fiction, maybe something else. Be personal.
Hmm, that's a tough one for me because my problem has always been feeling I have more to say than I have time to say it. As you say, it's tough enough finding time to write something well, without having to also come up with what to write.
Like you, I never know what to say when folks ask that question in the Substack chat.
Some good comments already here, but I think it boils down to, what do you have to say and start there. I do think there are people who think that writing is this easy thing that they can just sit down and do. They don't want to put the work in to do GOOD writing. But if they want to do the work, just start writing. Say what you want to say. Make it short and develop a habit. Skill and ideas will come the more they write.
I think this is really just the same question as, “Where do you get your ideas?” They’re welcome to some of my ideas, if they want them. I have way too many!
Honestly, if a writer asked what they should write about, I'd answer with another question. I'd ask them what they can talk about day after day and never run out of things to say and never get sick of showing up. Sometimes that's a topic. More often it's a group of people and if they know who the group of people is, they won't run out of topics. :)
Sometimes it's a group of people. For me, creatives. Writers, mostly. Because they create the things I need like air, and yet struggle so much. If I got paid enough, I could write daily. Alas, I need to eat so there is also the job.
That's okay, happy to explain. Sometimes it's a topic. Like the people who can write about climate change every day and never tire of it. Or self growth, or programming, or any topic. But other times, our passion is a group of people.
For example, James Finn writes to the LGBTQ community. And it's never one topic. One day it's politics that affect them, another day it's mental health, or history, or bullying, etc. but it's always issues that affect the LGBTQ community.
Here's another example. Farmers. If farmers are what you care about, you might be writing about harvesting one day, the challenges of kids helping on the farm in the face of child labor laws, building a chicken coop, etc -- but everything is relevant to a farmer.
Sometimes I think it's easier to write for a group of people than on a single topic. There's more room for diversity in topics. lol
I would put the question back on them - what do you want to write about? If I've learned anything from the writer's hour it is that I should write what is in my heart and what I have a passion to talk about.
I think they probably get that question/answer a lot. And wouldn't you think that's the first question they'd ask themselves when they sit down for the first time to write?
You would think so. I sure did. Then again some people may just jump in - thinking that writing sounds like fun or an easy way to make money without leaving home. Then I could see them asking such a question.
Agreed - it is a frivolous question - that's why I would put it back on them and not take any more of my time. Only they have the answer to the question. If I did give an answer they might think of "why not" or say yes but not be completely committed to the project.
I've never had a writer ask me this question (just born lucky, I guess). I have had young writers ask how they can get a job as a writer. Most recently I wrote a 5 paragraph email to a young woman (recent graduate of a state university with a BA in English) which began with "What do you want to write about?"/"What can you be satisfied writing about?" and continued with specific steps she should take. In her reply, she very politely thanked me, then asked "But how do I get a JOB as a writer?"
I wanted to say that perhaps she should learn to read first. (But that would have been mean.)
"What should I write about?" sounds to me like someone who lacks confidence in their own writing instincts and is looking for permission to follow them.
It’s a recurring question at Substack’s Thursday Office Hours, but I’ve heard it before. It just seems unanswerable to me, and I can’t imagine even asking it!
"So my immediate first impression is we have a dilettante on our hands. Someone who wants to be a writer but doesn’t want to do the work." I'm afraid I agree, and perhaps unlike Alison I'm in a good mood and not feeling in the least bit cynical! The implication is that writing doesn't require much thought or expertise. My answer to such a question would either be nothing or something along the lines of "If you don't know what to write about, what are you doing here?"
An exception, though, would be in a writing group. In the STSC the prompt for the next 'Symposium' is Dinosaurs, and my initial reaction was "What the hell can I write about on that topic?". I've also been invited to write a guest post for someone, with a similar reaction! But if you are thinking of starting a blog or a newsletter and you have no idea what to write about, that suggests you don't know why you want to start it in the first place. In which case, why do you want to, and please stop wasting my time!
Unkind? No, not at all. I think it's unkind to play along with such a dumb question, pretending there's some merit to it when there isn't. We do those people no favors by encouraging the thought that writing is just something you can do without any kind of apprenticeship.
Personally, I tend to resent that idea, knowing how much work went into my own progress. It could be I'm a slow learner, but there were no shortcuts that I remember, and plenty of obstacles.
I had to desperately want to keep on in order to keep on.
Don't be daft, Alison. I'd like all the publicity I can get! Seriously though, thank you for asking, but a mention of me and my newsletter would be very welco indeed 🤓
'What should I write' is akin to asking 'what should I cook for dinner'? Both questions are premised on a set of tools, ingredients, and skills readily at the disposal of the person asking. Ergo, based on self knowledge, only the person asking the question can provide an appropiate answer. Alternatively, they're ignorant of the need to be in possession of a few rudimentary tools, ingredients, and skills, which would negate the question; it's flushing the silence with words. I can ask for spaghetti, but I'll be getting takeout if they don't have any pasta and don't know how to cook.
Yes, there's that, but with writing the only tools needed, the beginners think, is something to write with. The rest should come easily, considering how much writing they've already done in their lifetimes. Notes, letters, essays for school, term papers--how hard could it be?
That's the problem. And you've given me an idea for my next blog. Thank you!
Yes, that was my thought, too. Being functionally literature and having a keyboard means low barriers to entry. Until last year, I was unaware that there's a huge online industry, especially on YouTube, for sharing the formulas to successful writing, with a large and fawning audience, and in the process, encouraging a million suboptimal would-be writers. There's something a bit off about it.
The advice I have just followed is to just start writing and not worry too much about how good it is or how many people will read it and that’s what I’ve done. I am retired and not planning to do it for money but I would like an audience. Hunter Thompson once said words to the effect that writing is a hard dollar and I believe him! It’s all channelled anyway isn’t it? All you’ve got to do is make sure the channels are open and then write it down and hope that God has something to say!
I think the advice to 'just start writing' means 'learn the craft first' rather than 'just start publishing'. Or it should, anyway. I've read too many pieces by would-be writers who think they can skip that first part--namely learning how to write--and just go on to laying down whatever they want, hoping to build an audience.
I've never seen it work for them. They're not around long.
I wish it were as easy as channeling or waiting for God to fill in the blanks. None of us would ever have to worry about our writing again.
I see you haven't started your Substack newsletter yet, so I would encourage you to reconsider. If you want to draw an audience you're going to have to give them something worthwhile. Something that will make them want to come back. As you've probably noticed, there are vast crowds of writers waiting in the same wings to entice them.
Well I can’t argue with what you say and maybe I’m in dilettante mode at the moment! I hate formal learning and I don’t want to spend a lot of money that I don’t have so I’m just slowly getting into it,I published my first ‘article’ yesterday and we will see. I may get a book to read about it. Thank you for your response.
Well, it's your Substack and you can do what you want with it, but you're here at Writer Everlasting right now and this is the place where you'll be exposed to 'real writing'.
It costs nothing to get good advice, so don't think you have to pay anyone for it at this stage. You don't. In fact, please don't.
I've written several posts for new and early writers, with what I think is advice that will keep you on track. Here are just a few of them. Feel free to comment on any of them. I'll see it and I'll respond. And hopefully others will, too. This is a community of writers.
I hope you'll pay special attention to the comment sections, where you'll find some amazing writers with worthwhile advice. They've been there, they've done that, and they know what to avoid.
This is in all areas of this work: editors have little to no say in what they can accept and work with; it all passes by the lovely marketing folks and the acquisitions people, bean-counters and number-crunchers.
I am in agreement with you, Ramona, but this thing is far more insidious and wide-spread.
But one does have to be able to live with the knowledge that what they might have to offer the world isn't "enough"--and so they strive to be what is wanted.
Then again, if I'm in a different mood when someone asks the question, and at my most cynical, I might have another answer. Quite the question you've raised here!
Are you saying they ask that question because they don't want to get it wrong and maybe waste a lot of time getting there? Could be, but aren't they just whistling in the wind by asking complete strangers what they should write about?
Someone in advertising or computer science would answer completely differently than someone who writes essays or opinions or fiction or poetry or....
I guess my point is, since there's no simple answer, why ask the question?
Sorry, this is where my mind takes me these days!
My mind takes me to: why ARE they asking the question?
And to the writing/publishing sphere as a whole.
Why would someone take the time to set up a Substack account, come to office hours, and "whistle in the wind" about this if they didn't have some sort of desire to do... something? Do people really have that much time? They might. I'm shocked by how much time people inject into the likes of Twitter.
I do think that too many people feel utterly lost these days--and that is a sad piece indeed. They might just begin to write--anything--and then to listen, to hear what their deep self is saying.
Yes, you're right. People do feel lost these days, and maybe I'm being unfair. Maybe they're not looking for an easy fix. Maybe they're simply looking for someone to tell them it's okay to write what they want to write. But that's now what they're asking, is it?
So then the debbil' on my shoulder wants to say there are enough dilletantes in the writing world. You can't start writing by asking strangers what you should write about. Once you've taken the time to learn the craft, you'll be brimming with ideas.
Exactly. The kind of person who says "What should I write about?" should sort themselves out first. I mean, would you turn up to a photography club and ask people what to take pictures of? It's ridiculous.
You are much kinder about it than I am, Alison :-)
Omg I’m the first to comment! That never happens. Here’s my experience:
Writers want to write. They have a big book idea, they might have even started writing it, but they have been told that to sell that book eventually they need to begin building their brand yesterday. And part of that brand, for a writer, is a platform where they write short-form content regularly so would-be readers of their eventual novel will fall in love with their voice and ideas and then buy and read the eventual book so the author can finally start making money from the book.
But, especially as a long-form fiction writer, it’s hard to know what to write in short form on a regular basis.
What I’ve heard, and what I pass along, is to write around the themes you treat in your stories. My book is about reproductive rights and motherhood, so I write about motherhood and women’s issues. It’s a sci fi dystopian book, so I share other dystopian/sci fi stories. That kind of thing.
Thanks, Nicci, but that doesn't answer the question--what would you tell writers who ask you what THEY should write about?
Although I do love your comment!
That’s my answer. Think about the themes of your broad work and write about it in short form. Notice connections as you go through your days, make lists of ideas for essays, get clear on how these ideas are connected to the themes in your long form work, and write about them.
Okay! That's great! Thanks.
Though I wonder how many of them are into long form work. I get the feeling they want to make their fortunes with the short and sweet.
This is a good response (and by that, I meant to Ramona's points here!) I leapt into my answer...and you've reminded me to slow and ask the person what is their end-goal...so I can understand the question better. Thank you. I do find this marketing aspect of the new world of publishing just HARD though--after publishing a memoir of caregiving, I had to write a number of unpaid articles for publications in order to market the thing. Later, I realized if I'd done it the other way around--published the short pieces first, done the platform-building thing, the book would have sold to a larger publisher. But I wanted to get it out into the world because it was the book that I wanted to read when I was going through...
Thank you for your points, Nicci!
It really is a sick game we have to put ourselves through. Especially if you really only want to write the one book, it’s so hard to realize too late that you should have done things in reverse.
My response was based on my own work which is long form but it’s so hard to keep up with making short form content because it detracts from the focus of the larger story in trying to tell. I’m getting better, though, and I’ve been consistent with nicci’s notes for quite some time now.
My experience with publishing my own novel has led me to begin another book, this time nonfiction, about all the things I learned a day late and a dollar short about publishing my novel. Will I learn from my past mistakes? One can only hope…
Yes... it was the rejection letter from HarperCollins saying how much they loved it blah blah blah, and how much they'd like to see my next memoir... that hurt. They want to see numbers, not words.
My hopes are that I never have to go through ALS again with anyone... so can't imagine writing a second!
And onward we go... Write on, Nicci.
Sorry for ignorance, but what is ALS please?
Good luck with your nonfiction book, Nicci. It sounds very interesting. I've been published by 'proper' publishers several times, but became so disillusioned that I went down the self-publishing route, and like it much better.
Have you self-published as physical books, or strictly e-publishing?
Thanks! Yeah even the process of finding an agent/publisher was disillusioning.
I am publishing my nonfiction book in installments at the Writing Cooperative and then will release the whole thing along with a masterclass after it’s done!
Hmm. I'm not the best one to answer the question, because I've never asked it. I occasionally ask myself, "Of several writing ideas or projects, which I should devote attention to?" Or "Do I have enough time to work with this idea I just had, or do I make notes on it and hope I can retrieve that thread later?" (I'm 50/50 on working from my notes — sometimes I understand what I've written, but the notes don't put me back in the mainframe where I SEE the results in my head again.) I guess if someone asked me, "What should I write about?", I'd have to counter with, "What have you written up to this point in your life?" And if they can't give me examples, then, sorry, you're not a writer and you need to think about another line of work.
I think the stock answers are 'Write what you know', or 'write what your heart tells you to write', or 'What would you like to write about?' But aren't they just fluff-offs and time-wasters?
I mean, is there really any good answer??
Not to drop in as a Pollyanna here but is it possible that this is not *really* the question they are asking; rather, they may be asking if what they DO have in mind, is worth doing. Sometimes it's just the simple act of wanting someone to blow on your embers when the criticism and rejection seems overwhelming. Of course maybe such a person shouldn't be writing at all (although my own skin can be quite thin depending on the day!) - but I suspect many of us have felt this way :) That said, I have also been in writing workshops where people push back in their chair and say things like "Yeah I've meant to publish a couple of short stories but just haven't got round to it yet." Arghh!
Yes, in my kinder moments I want to think they're just floundering and don't know where else to go. This writing business is such damned hard work! We're slaving here and we're unappreciated. New writers see that soon enough and it's demoralizing.
I do think they ask it out of desperation, but it's asked so often now it's become too easy an out.
What obligation do we, as toiling writers, have to try to come up with a satisfactory answer? I'm asking, now that I think of it, because maybe I'm feeling guilty for NOT answering.
I mean, my whole role here at Writer Everlasting is to build a comfort station for writers. Why am I turning my back on those who ask an essentially unanswerable question? Is it because the question suggests they're not serious about the craft? That could be it.
It's why I've turned to you all to see what you think.
And, as always, you've come through!
This is a fascinating question. I love your comparison to asking ‘what kind of air should I breathe today?’ That said, I understand the impulse. I think the question is born out of desperation as well as indecision. I've asked it before, but it's almost always rhetorical. I've asked it aloud in those moments I feel like I'll never have another idea, but I know the question of what to write is a problem I have to solve myself. Only I can save myself by simply committing to a topic or a paper or a story, even when I feel unsure about it. Deciding to go for it is how the real work can begin. I wonder if the people asking this question in office hours are simply afraid of committing to any idea in case it ends up being the wrong one.
The other question I find interesting is "how do I keep writing". I think sometimes the how of writing can be as inexplicable as the what. Obviously there's plenty to learn in terms of style and technical skill, but how do you give instructions on sitting with the blank page until something comes out?
I do think fear and desperation enter into it, and I have to say, they always get kind and thoughtful answers on Office Hours. So may it has some value. if only to let them know they're not alone. But I still shy away from it. Maybe because I can't think of a useful answer.
I think your question, "How do I keep writing?" is a good one. Maybe that'll be the next Q&A!
Write about what you feel and what you know - your own experiences and own feelings. Start there. It can lead to fiction, it can lead to auto fiction, maybe something else. Be personal.
Hmm, that's a tough one for me because my problem has always been feeling I have more to say than I have time to say it. As you say, it's tough enough finding time to write something well, without having to also come up with what to write.
Like you, I never know what to say when folks ask that question in the Substack chat.
I know! It's why I say nothing.
Some good comments already here, but I think it boils down to, what do you have to say and start there. I do think there are people who think that writing is this easy thing that they can just sit down and do. They don't want to put the work in to do GOOD writing. But if they want to do the work, just start writing. Say what you want to say. Make it short and develop a habit. Skill and ideas will come the more they write.
I think this is really just the same question as, “Where do you get your ideas?” They’re welcome to some of my ideas, if they want them. I have way too many!
Honestly, if a writer asked what they should write about, I'd answer with another question. I'd ask them what they can talk about day after day and never run out of things to say and never get sick of showing up. Sometimes that's a topic. More often it's a group of people and if they know who the group of people is, they won't run out of topics. :)
That's a great answer! What are you obsessed by? That's your topic!
Sometimes it's a group of people. For me, creatives. Writers, mostly. Because they create the things I need like air, and yet struggle so much. If I got paid enough, I could write daily. Alas, I need to eat so there is also the job.
I'm not sure what you mean by 'a group of people'. I'm missing the context. Sorry.
That's okay, happy to explain. Sometimes it's a topic. Like the people who can write about climate change every day and never tire of it. Or self growth, or programming, or any topic. But other times, our passion is a group of people.
For example, James Finn writes to the LGBTQ community. And it's never one topic. One day it's politics that affect them, another day it's mental health, or history, or bullying, etc. but it's always issues that affect the LGBTQ community.
Here's another example. Farmers. If farmers are what you care about, you might be writing about harvesting one day, the challenges of kids helping on the farm in the face of child labor laws, building a chicken coop, etc -- but everything is relevant to a farmer.
Sometimes I think it's easier to write for a group of people than on a single topic. There's more room for diversity in topics. lol
Oh, I see. This would be your answer to 'What should I write about?' Sorry. I was still on the whys of the question! Duh!
lol.
I would put the question back on them - what do you want to write about? If I've learned anything from the writer's hour it is that I should write what is in my heart and what I have a passion to talk about.
I think they probably get that question/answer a lot. And wouldn't you think that's the first question they'd ask themselves when they sit down for the first time to write?
You would think so. I sure did. Then again some people may just jump in - thinking that writing sounds like fun or an easy way to make money without leaving home. Then I could see them asking such a question.
In that sense, the question is frivolous. So, again, why should I take the time to answer?
Agreed - it is a frivolous question - that's why I would put it back on them and not take any more of my time. Only they have the answer to the question. If I did give an answer they might think of "why not" or say yes but not be completely committed to the project.
Yeah, I guess my thing is just not to answer at all. Depends on the tone, I suppose.
I've never had a writer ask me this question (just born lucky, I guess). I have had young writers ask how they can get a job as a writer. Most recently I wrote a 5 paragraph email to a young woman (recent graduate of a state university with a BA in English) which began with "What do you want to write about?"/"What can you be satisfied writing about?" and continued with specific steps she should take. In her reply, she very politely thanked me, then asked "But how do I get a JOB as a writer?"
I wanted to say that perhaps she should learn to read first. (But that would have been mean.)
"What should I write about?" sounds to me like someone who lacks confidence in their own writing instincts and is looking for permission to follow them.
It’s a recurring question at Substack’s Thursday Office Hours, but I’ve heard it before. It just seems unanswerable to me, and I can’t imagine even asking it!
"So my immediate first impression is we have a dilettante on our hands. Someone who wants to be a writer but doesn’t want to do the work." I'm afraid I agree, and perhaps unlike Alison I'm in a good mood and not feeling in the least bit cynical! The implication is that writing doesn't require much thought or expertise. My answer to such a question would either be nothing or something along the lines of "If you don't know what to write about, what are you doing here?"
Peter Coffee said "If you have nothing to say, a wordprocessor won't say it for you." (Cited in my seminal treatise, Lots of Laws: https://terryfreedman.substack.com/p/lots-of-laws)
An exception, though, would be in a writing group. In the STSC the prompt for the next 'Symposium' is Dinosaurs, and my initial reaction was "What the hell can I write about on that topic?". I've also been invited to write a guest post for someone, with a similar reaction! But if you are thinking of starting a blog or a newsletter and you have no idea what to write about, that suggests you don't know why you want to start it in the first place. In which case, why do you want to, and please stop wasting my time!
Do you think I am being unkind?
Unkind? No, not at all. I think it's unkind to play along with such a dumb question, pretending there's some merit to it when there isn't. We do those people no favors by encouraging the thought that writing is just something you can do without any kind of apprenticeship.
Personally, I tend to resent that idea, knowing how much work went into my own progress. It could be I'm a slow learner, but there were no shortcuts that I remember, and plenty of obstacles.
I had to desperately want to keep on in order to keep on.
Don't be daft, Alison. I'd like all the publicity I can get! Seriously though, thank you for asking, but a mention of me and my newsletter would be very welco indeed 🤓
'What should I write' is akin to asking 'what should I cook for dinner'? Both questions are premised on a set of tools, ingredients, and skills readily at the disposal of the person asking. Ergo, based on self knowledge, only the person asking the question can provide an appropiate answer. Alternatively, they're ignorant of the need to be in possession of a few rudimentary tools, ingredients, and skills, which would negate the question; it's flushing the silence with words. I can ask for spaghetti, but I'll be getting takeout if they don't have any pasta and don't know how to cook.
Yes, there's that, but with writing the only tools needed, the beginners think, is something to write with. The rest should come easily, considering how much writing they've already done in their lifetimes. Notes, letters, essays for school, term papers--how hard could it be?
That's the problem. And you've given me an idea for my next blog. Thank you!
Yes, that was my thought, too. Being functionally literature and having a keyboard means low barriers to entry. Until last year, I was unaware that there's a huge online industry, especially on YouTube, for sharing the formulas to successful writing, with a large and fawning audience, and in the process, encouraging a million suboptimal would-be writers. There's something a bit off about it.
The advice I have just followed is to just start writing and not worry too much about how good it is or how many people will read it and that’s what I’ve done. I am retired and not planning to do it for money but I would like an audience. Hunter Thompson once said words to the effect that writing is a hard dollar and I believe him! It’s all channelled anyway isn’t it? All you’ve got to do is make sure the channels are open and then write it down and hope that God has something to say!
I think the advice to 'just start writing' means 'learn the craft first' rather than 'just start publishing'. Or it should, anyway. I've read too many pieces by would-be writers who think they can skip that first part--namely learning how to write--and just go on to laying down whatever they want, hoping to build an audience.
I've never seen it work for them. They're not around long.
I wish it were as easy as channeling or waiting for God to fill in the blanks. None of us would ever have to worry about our writing again.
I see you haven't started your Substack newsletter yet, so I would encourage you to reconsider. If you want to draw an audience you're going to have to give them something worthwhile. Something that will make them want to come back. As you've probably noticed, there are vast crowds of writers waiting in the same wings to entice them.
Well I can’t argue with what you say and maybe I’m in dilettante mode at the moment! I hate formal learning and I don’t want to spend a lot of money that I don’t have so I’m just slowly getting into it,I published my first ‘article’ yesterday and we will see. I may get a book to read about it. Thank you for your response.
Well, it's your Substack and you can do what you want with it, but you're here at Writer Everlasting right now and this is the place where you'll be exposed to 'real writing'.
It costs nothing to get good advice, so don't think you have to pay anyone for it at this stage. You don't. In fact, please don't.
I've written several posts for new and early writers, with what I think is advice that will keep you on track. Here are just a few of them. Feel free to comment on any of them. I'll see it and I'll respond. And hopefully others will, too. This is a community of writers.
I hope you'll pay special attention to the comment sections, where you'll find some amazing writers with worthwhile advice. They've been there, they've done that, and they know what to avoid.
https://writereverlasting.substack.com/p/how-to-overcome-writers-desperation-5e7
https://writereverlasting.substack.com/p/want-to-be-a-writer-start-with-the
https://writereverlasting.substack.com/p/q-and-a-what-part-of-writing-did