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Character precedes situation in fiction writing, not the other way around.  Situation comes out of the interactions, intentions, and choices of the characters.  Character creates situation, and drives the plot and the story.

One of the books I’ve read lately is Edith Wharton’s “The Writing of Fiction.”  One of the things she talks about is wanting to write really well.  Writers may want to write as well as so-and-so-the-great-writer, but find they fall short of the ideal.  Wharton’s advice is to write as well as you can, and do what you can do within the scope of your powers.  In other words, be yourself, and accept and appreciate your uniqueness.

I’m not a bumper sticker person, but every once and awhile I see one I like.  The other day I saw one that said, “January 20, 2009: The correction of an error.”  (I can hardly wait.)  It would be nice if we had a woman president.  It’s too bad misogynistic voters can’t make that happen.  The good news is that the dictatorship reign is ending, and whomever will be our next president is bound to be a vast improvement over the last eight years of entitlement, arrogance, and destructive ignorance.  It’s always perversely interesting to note that when we have a Republican in office this great nation goes into a downward spiral of economic crisis.  ”They” are the reason I became a Democrat.  Now, if only the Independent party could rise into viability with a candidate and campaign that is worth notice.  I find myself, time and time again, voting against the lesser of the two evils, after the US political system has eliminated someone who I would actually vote for with gusto.  We need more choices.  We need positive choices, for a change, instead of the same ol’ same ol’ flotsam. 

Hobbyist writers are under the assumption that writing, and great writing at that, will happen without any effort on their part.  Writing takes time, thought, and effort –one word at a time.  The miracle doesn’t happen just by thinking about it.  Discipline and sitting down and actually doing the work will manifest the story, novel, screenplay, stageplay, dissertation, or whatever.  Re-writing will polish the work into greatness.

In order to be honest with the rest of the world, you must first be honest with yourself.  This applies to life in general and to writing.  If you look in the “Writer’s Market” books for places to query about your stories, articles, or books, you will see that the publishers and editors have requirements for the types/styles of writing that they do and don’t want.  If you write to please the publishers and editors and aren’t pleasing yourself, chances are you will have a tough time getting published.  Have you ever noticed the work of  successful artists, actors, and writers?  They are having a good time doing what they love, and it shows.  Please yourself first.  Do what you love in life and in writing, be sure that what you do does not harm self or others in any way, and you will be successful and happy.  Through this, you will attain meaning in life.

Whether you want to lose weight, change careers, or succeed in a career that is particularly challenging (like writing), perseverance is the key.  Decide what you want to do and then go after it with unwavering focus.  Remember great things are accomplished one moment at a time, one day at a time, in small, steady increments.  Never give up.  Just do it and keep at it until you have achieved your goal.

Its a good idea to proof, edit, and rewrite your work.  No writing is perfect at first and so rewriting is essential.  Read your writing out loud to hear mistakes, pacing, and word choice.  You will catch many things that need to be changed once you hear them.

Writing is only half of the task of the writer.  After the first draft has been written, a professional writer will edit and do a lot of rewriting.  Ernest Hemingway was asked why he rewrote a story tens, and even hundreds, of times after the first draft.  He said, “To get the words right.”  Magic doesn’t flow out of the pen (or computer) the first go round.  Editing and rewriting makes the magic happen.  Rewriting is on the path to publication.  Don’t expect an editor to do it for you.

Using the words THAT and WHO without thinking is a common writing and speaking error.  THAT should only be used when talking about things or objects.  WHO should be used when talking about people.  Incorrect usage:  She was the one that was involved in the accident.  Correct usage:  She was the one WHO was involved in the accident.  Incorrect usage: They were the people that started the company.  Correct usage:  They were the people WHO started the company. 

The best time to write is first thing in the morning, right after waking, especially if you are doing creative writing.  In the early hours, before I have rubbed sleep out of my eyes, I am in what I call a wakeful, sleeping state.  It is the time of day when I am most relaxed and when ideas flow in free-association.  The best ideas, and a non-judgmental flow of ideas that come easily is possible right after waking.  It’s the best way to start a day, and by getting started first thing in the morning, you keep any resistance to or fear of writing at bay.