11 Writers: Advice to the Young
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- čas přidán 31. 01. 2016
- What would some of the greatest writers of our time advise their younger peers? Find out here where Jonathan Franzen, Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o, Richard Ford, Umberto Eco and seven others share their thoughts on how to make it as a writer.
“Have fun … if you’re having fun there’s a good chance that the reader will too,” is American Jonathan Franzen’s (b. 1959) most important piece of advice.
Swedish playwright Lars Norén (b. 1944) argues that writing isn’t about desire, but about necessity: “… the disappointments and the efforts are so tough that you must have an inner conviction that this is what you want.”
“Write, write, write and write again, and you will get it right.” Such is the key piece of advice from Kenyan writer Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o (b. 1938).
American Lydia Davis (b.1947) emphasizes how important it is accept that writing can be chaotic and to put effort into making the text flow: “You learn from models, you study them, you analyse them very closely … You pick it apart.”
Remember what excited you when you were at your most impressionable, says Icelandic Sjón (b. 1962), who also urges young writers not to be embarrassed by what initially inspired you: “All of us come to culture through trash.”
”Build a good name,” is American rock poet Patti Smith’s (b. 1946) powerful advice, which she herself was given by legendary writer and poet William S. Burroughs: ”If you build a good name, eventually that name will be its own currency.”
Italian Umberto Eco (b. 1932) advises aspiring writers not to take themselves too seriously, and to remember that: “You’re 10 per cent inspiration and 90 per cent perspiration.”
“If you’re not talented, you shouldn’t write.” Egyptian novelist Alaa al-Aswany (b. 1957) puts it as simply as that. However, if you do have talent, you can only make a difference if writing is truly the most important thing in your life.
Norwegian Herbjørg Wassmo (b. 1942) is unambiguous in her advice to aspiring writers when she states that it quite simply takes hard work and persistence to achieve your goals: “Write, write, write!”
Becoming a writer isn’t something you should aspire to be, according to American Richard Ford (b. 1944). Making it as a writer is “a long shot,” but if you can’t talk yourself out of it, then maybe it really is your vocation.
Norwegian Kjell Askildsen (b. 1929) turns things around and argues that one simply shouldn’t take advice from anyone but rather listen to the books you love.
Interviews by Kim Skotte, Anette Dina Sørensen, Bjørn Bredal, Tonny Vorm, Marc-Christoph Wagner, Christian Lund and Kasper Bech Dyg.
For full length interviews see: channel.louisiana.dk/topics/li...
Produced by: Christian Lund
Edited by: Klaus Elmer
Copyright: Louisiana Channel, Louisiana Museum of Modern Art, 2016 - Krátké a kreslené filmy
0:03 Jonathan Franzen
1:16 Lydia Davis
1:40 Alaa Al-Aswany
1:57 Herbjørg Wassmo
2:15 Richard Ford
3:05 Lars Norén
3:59 Ngũgĩ wa Thiong'o
5:14 Umberto Eco
5:32 Patti Smith
6:06 Sjón
8:52 Kjell Askildsen
"It is not about desire. It is about necessity." That hit me hard, honestly.
That is actually a pretty bad piece of advice.
@@PyroNexus22 Yeah..I agree
@Leena Elbouatmani a shock how? What do you mean?
@@PyroNexus22 haven't stopped writing since i was 14, if i did my mind would crumble under itself. Writing isn't always something that you decide to do one day,for some it's to let go of a certain capacity, with the only goal is to escape.
@@TobiasRo I understand that, but people are different. I like to think of myself as a writer, and if I was to abandon it, I might as well kill myself. I mean it is as important for me as it is for you. But hell, if I didn't *force* myself to get off my ass and work, I'd probably not write anything. And that doesn't make me less of a writer than anybody. Why I called this piece of advice bad is because it's gatekeeping. It may make somebody feel like, if ideas don't literally stream out of them, that makes them not a writer - and that's just not true. We're all different, there's no *right* way to feel.
Patience really is the foundation of writing. It took me 30 years to convince myself I really could and should write. It took me an additional five years to publish something. If I didn't have a massive amount of patience, I would not be a writer.
chapachuu
Now THAT is inspiring. Thanks for sharing.
Which book have you written? I wanna read
Your story too is an inspiration.. I'm on my way to become like you.
@@hrangaolourosii8697 me 3
I'm almost 10 and I love writing books I'm going to be a author when I grow up and I'm gonna ignore haters :)
Good luck
Hope you'll succeed Mr. Potato Dab Police
Keep dabbing and don't get too mashed!
Hopefully you won't ignore constructive criticism though
I wish you good luck and successes!!! Wish me too I also love to write
I love the guy who says that we shouldnt be ashamed of our trash influences, if we loved it then its good
same to u
So mature
*6:20** "Do not be afraid of working with things that fascinated us when we were the most impressionable."* I think that's some of the best I've heard. Stuff that first got us by our imagination or our passion as kids as so important even in adulthood, even if we haven't thought about it in years. It always remind us of that feeling of discovering a new world and realising all the possibilities of storytelling or creating and its what keeps that wonder inside for us to be able to hopefully try and give another child or person that same gateway.
Yeah
True
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"I would say not to take advice, write based on you are and what you've learned"
This piece of advice struck a cord with me. I liked that there were many different viewpoints on the subject. Writing is messy. There isn’t a clear cut answer. It just goes to show that you should follow the advice you think is best.
So true. It is stunning to me how much advice writers give which is actually just discouragement to young people.
I’m 15 and I found out that writing is my passion and I LOVE it so I came here looking for advice .. and yeah I am a beginner but I hope I can be like them one day❤️❤️
You got this!
You will my friend :)
Do good, dude
Hi. I'm 15 too. I have the same interests as you and really want to become an author one day. I decided to go on and reply to your comment because I wanted to talk about our dreams. Honestly, I think as long as we are determined and strive to be the best and just work hard, we'll be able to succeed. I'm someone that really worries about my future and I spend hours staring at my ceiling wondering if it's all going to be worth it. Maybe you can relate to this. So yeah, just keep your goal at the front of your mind and just keep working to improve no matter how long it takes. Patience is very important. We've got this! ❤❤
@@rachaelnorris8047 Me too! All we’ve got to do is work hard, try our best and we’ll get there. 😊
Don’t make your writing success dependent on wether it is published and sold a lot or on the critiques. Make it dependent on wether you are happy with it. Does it capture the truth you wanted to tell? Of course it is great when publishers and readers also enjoy your book but this success is dependent on so much more than just your writing skill.
I Don't think so
my advice is just write enjoy the thought process, put it on paper, don't think it too much, if you did bad writing you will learn from it, it's a stepping stone not the end of the world.
You got this
“If you want to be a writer, write!” Epictetus
8:52 this is the best one
What language might that be?
"Don't take any advice" was the best advice from this video :D.
I also really liked the "It's not a desire, it's a necessity" one.
Excellent! Brilliant minds reaching out. I love how two of them almost appear to talk us out of it. But what they're really saying is "If you're not passionate enough about it, don't bother." That feels like a healthy down to earth approach. It's not for everyone. Only get into it if you're ready to work for it.
I figured there would be at least one with that approach. Give you an idea, if you want something then work towards it. Let none hold you back.
People will get you nowhere, you build who you are. No title creates you. You are given it for pursuing what you desire. And in the end, whether you achieve it or not. It is something you tried for, and that simply is something to be greatly admired.
No story can hold me back
Jonathan Franzen's advice works best for me: "have fun, try to create something that is fun to work on."
I started writing four years ago (when I was aged nine) and I have been working on my passion project for a large majority of that. It has been a wild ride with over three drafts and incredible amounts of hard work. Social life is immediately shut out for me. Writing takes the cake and I will continue hacking at my drafts until I can snag a literary agent!
Write and write again - until the lambs become lions.
1415Razor Love this
That's deep.
So smart, I can’t believe l’am getting all this, from the source.
The most valuable advice IMHO is the one given by Ms Wassmo at 2:01 which is to not give up even if you have days and weeks where you loose faith in your abilities...
Some of this advice I think is great, and some of it I think is potentially either beneficial or dangerous, depending on your actual goals. A good chunk of the advice seems to fall into one of two categories: "You've just gotta believe in yourself and it will come to you!" or "Don't do it unless you're willing to spend every second writing, and then you'll probably still fail."
I think everyone should ask themselves exactly what they're wanting to get out of writing. Are you wanting to quit your job and become a famous author? Are you doing it on the side because you enjoy it?
If you truly want nothing else in the world than to write, as a profession, to the point that you're going to quit your job and gamble everything...then sentimental dream-seeking advice is something to be weary of. While I don't think you should ever begin something so ambitious feeling discouraged and deflated, the advice about perseverance and reality-checking is, I think, more valuable in this case.
However, if writing is something you're interested in as a hobby, then I think the "Give all or give up" mentality is TERRIBLE. Nobody should be shut down from exploring a new hobby because they're not especially talented or willing to drop the rest of their life for it. That said, I do think that particular advice was likely aimed at people pursuing the dream of being on Ellen bragging about their new best seller.
Think this relates to music. You know, you're probably not going to be the next American Idol or famous rock band, but there's nothing stopping you from singing in the shower, or gathering up a group of friends to jam with, and maybe even play at a small house party, or make something of value, even if it's only valuable to 25 people.
You can still create and share something that leaves you with a sense of fulfillment. You don't have to find a mass audience to do that.
This has to be my Most Loved piece on the vocation of writing.
This set of interviews has worked a miracle in my life in a matter of 11 minutes and 22 seconds.
A private miracle significant only to me, and one I'm experiencing alone, as no one who knows me takes my need to write seriously.
No one I know supports my love of writing, nor do they care what it means to me.
It's always other writers, you know?
This set of writers touched my heart, and comforted my soul. Their words stirred my will to write again. Just like that.
I found myself forgetting to breath for moments at a time...as though the slightest sound, even the steady whispering of breathing, would keep me from hearing their words, from being edified by the interviewees' wisdom.
I was spellbound. And enraptured by the gravity of their countenances.
Did anyone else totally love the advice spoken in other languages? It was the advice of those writers I found to be the most heartfelt, sincere. The most profound.
This genius set of interviews managed to renew my love of writing, to feed my anemic confidence, to cut through the suffocating doubt I've breathed for three years.
The messages of the interviewees stirred my blood into a roiling boil of urgency, and stoked the smoking embers of my love for writing into snapping, crackling flames.
While the darkness has been parted, the flames have been stoked, and the desire is urgent, I need to write. Like NOW. :)
Thanks for the creatively edited video! I'll never forget it.
And sorry for leaving a post filled with purple-prose and sentimental drivel.
Richard Ford thinks the "tough love" approach is what people need. It rarely is.
I always bounce in and out of becoming a writer but in all my drean paths creative writing is always present
THE BEST COLLECTION OF ADVICE- STANDING IN BETWEEN, THE DARK BITTER TRUTH AND THE LIGHT AT THE END OF A LONG TUNNEL//
8:54 probably the best and most wise advice of them all.
Well, its simple. You like reading books, you eventually will try to write them too. Its fun? I don't think so, atleast not all of it. Its a mess if you ask me, each one of us have awasome story in our head but to actually bring them on paper is lot of work, guess that what differentiates reader from writers. Like
Out of 10, 8 think they can write, 6 of them will try, 3 of them eventually get stuck after 3 or 4 chapter ( they will kill there story because of self-criticism, comparison, inconsistency, impatience etc etc) remained 3 will keep daydreaming , staring at blank page. Out of remaining, well I believe 1or 2 will actually able to complete the rough novel. Moral of the fact is just keep writing but don't fuck your life over it, if you don't get any success.
Note: Pretty sure I am of those three people who have write 3 or 4 chapters then gave up! So many incomplete stories 🤔😐
Are you residing in my head. You cherry picked my mind.
Sandeep keep going. Keep writing
Sandeep this post should get a reward for complete honesty 🙏🏾
Just keep going mate!
This is true. I managed to finish my drafts, but it was difficult and a lot of work. My friends who tried fell behind and I was the only one who gathered success. Writing comes with hard work, that’s simple.
What I learned here, is that the best advice is your own advice.everyone has contradictory advice from each other; and so selecting the right advice is up to your own judgement, regardless of what the pessimistic or optimistic writer says. Only you can think for your self.
I agree
The Patti Smith advice at 5:32 is what resonated with me the most. That was very good advice.
write write write till you get it right
sounds great
i'll watch this again and again like a j.cole video
For anyone who doesn’t think hard work trumps talent, look up Larry Brown. He was a high school drop out who wrote five unpublished novels and hundreds of short stories before he got published.
I love how this is in so many different languages rather than just English speakers.
That first bit of advice is so important. Having fun while writing is the reason why we all started in the first place and should be the reason why we all do it.
In my opinion)the best advice ever for young writers)
8:51
6:06 to 6:56 100% - Returning to our roots of inspiration, in combination with trying out a totally fresh medium, is what I am going to commit to in order to hopefully exorcise the disillusionment art school has left me with.
7:47 to 8:50 ; 10:08 to 10:49 !
There were great pieces of advice throughout the montage, but Sjón really hit the nail on the head of what mattered most for me to hear.
This was very interesting to watch. It really feels like some of them describe being a writer as a personality and not a job.
I'm getting older now, but still hearing these testimonials are inspiring.
"Write, write, write and write again and you will get it right"
Those are advices for life, for every one. They're amazing
I am working on my First book. I admire Ngugi wa Thiong'o so much.
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I find that when I'm happy my book becomes happy and when I'm sad my book becomes so. My goal is to one day get a book published I'm working on one right now. I really pour my heart and my soul into my story's
This makes me feel less of my writing. I don't know how, I just feel bad at writing now like there's no hope for me.
Eva Helene Hagavik me too.
But let’s keep writing anyway. Take away the goal of publishing
Don't listen. Best advice is to get into something you wanna soak your teeth in. And fuck people who give 'advice' to scare people away who are just starting out. A waste of your time.
If they would regretted they would just say it directly, but if is an advise for others that may regret it in the future, I feel that they are just scare of the new generation being better 😅
Oh please, What did you write today?
It's funny to hear how advice can be so contradictory. In the end it's our very self who decides what's best. Listen closely to your heart and keep your lightness towards yourself and others. Writing is a great communication tool and if you won't succeed as a writer, at least you'll be equipped with this powerful tool.
Loved this video, excellent smörgåsbord of advice
Wish i had this people as my friends i really enjoy listening to this helpful advices ✨
write, write, write again and you will get it right........Ngugi Wa Thiong'o @ 4:16
Most of these are much like what DFW said when he talked about Lynch, how a great artist is truly sincere and just doesn't give a damn. He doesn't think what makes a good artist, he is an artist. "Stop talking about what a good man is, be one" -Marcus Aurelius.
Hum...he said You shouldn't write if you're not talented? Then how do you get talented?
There is a difference between talent and skill. Talent is natural. Skill is developed by hours of beating on your craft.
Sacha wilder I think it was an foreign language interpretation problem. Maybe he meant a "great desire, or need to write" by talent. That's what it sounded like to me as I was listening.
I think maybe he meant more a long the lines of inspiration? The drive and passion to.
practice! you just have to start somewhere and see what your comfortable with, and build from there...
Your born with a writing talent, if you've been writing since you were 5/6 years old then you must have a talent for it
I think we need to demystify writing as if it’s passed down from the heavens through muses or that it’s for the obsessive manic who must write to get the madness out of their soul. It’s work. Have fun. Keep practicing. Get a little better each day and with each piece. My word, “if you’re not talented, don’t write”? How about write until you get talented. Geesh. My first novel sucked and I hope my next book sucks a little bit less
Thank you so much for this piece.
I enjoyed it. Believe in yourself. Do not to the markets or publishers. Writing is a jealous lover you have to be yourself with it, to enjoy the relationship
If I had to give a young writer any piece of advice it is this...create characters that you love spending time with..when you get to your desk the next day it's exciting to see what they've been up to while you were away..you simply can't wait to get back to them..
it was so useful for me. thank you.
View this only to listen to Richard Ford. All the others are delightfully vague, and (unwittingly) confess to the fact they would not know the first thing about how to actually go about the process of creative writing. And another thing - nearly all the interviewees are (Ford and Jonathan Franzen being notable exceptions) not quite successful themselves as practitioners of the art. N.B. Do make it a point to listening to Richard Ford's full interview on the Louisiana Channel: 'Art is heavy lifting.'
Greetings from Colombia. The Venezuelan Immigrant writer 🌎
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this inspired me ... thank you
Goddamnit V, go back to Mystic Messenger
Noveneil Volkov 😂😂
I have never met someone who became a good writer after listening to other authors advises!
so interesting, to contrast the remarks of updike with those of ford ~
So inspired.
Thank you!
I'm currently writing a book and I'm 14. I should be writing my book but I'm watching videos about writing.
I love the very last quote.
That's good advice!
Pretty much everyone I know doesnt like to Wright and they ask me why I wright and how I can wright like I do. Well here is my answer. Wrighting is my happy place whatever I feel becomes the feel of my story. I display my emotions in my story's. My story's go a lot deeper then the words on the page. I love it and I hope to one day hopefully soon get a book published that is my number one goal in life. I never wanted much in life to be honest, and I find so much joy in wrighting. Too all the other soon to be young authors I hope you accomplish all your wrighting goals!
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Thx soooo much!!
They reveal themselves with every word.
Precious! Thank you. For Portuguese speakers I recommend the series "Super Libris" in youtube, about Brazilian Writers
Thanks...very interesting 🌎
If you enjoy it and think it helps you internally, that's the catalist.if you succeed then that's great, if not it still benefits you.
I think I need to control my obsession of being author. It’s takes time
Wow... the third person is a huge depressing let down. "If you aren't talented, give up". That's totally useless advice.
Well if you aren’t at least respectable at writing then you should do something else.
@@volitionant9682 I think no one is "respectable" at writing right away. And if you're having fun with it, then go for it!
But it is true
Yes, you can dedicate your blood, sweat, and tears to writing even if you think you're not talented or have a hard time with your Muse. If you enjoy it, you will bleed for it. And succeed.
so don't be untalented.
really nice...
Wow great
Gracias por los subtítulos
Writing is easier than you think. Just think and write - try it!
Writing is one of the possible good things about life that belong to everyone. Writers saying you should not write if you feel no huge, all consuming neccesity to, or if you 'have no talent', should just get over their ego. Is my humble opinion.
You know something I've always noticed is that Lydia Davis has the same manner of speaking as Noam Chomsky...
The main point is to believe in yourself and in what you write.
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im only 12 , but i started writing 11 years ago, yeah im a beginner , but im young and will be great, just in case anyone needed to know.
In my perception, the best advices (4:00 & 8:50) .
Here's to fun 🍻🥂
I've learned in life that sometimes you have to decide that you want to do something then go and do it. Writing is no different than sports or music or pottery or hobby electrical engineering or building - it takes some work but if you love it you'll go a long way. If God has given you a gifting, you'll go far. By gifting I mean it's something which follows you around.
You'll forget about writing for a while, and then someone will come up and say "I really liked that story you wrote last year. Are you still writing?"
Or "I'm looking forward to seeing that book you're going to write."
Pay attention to what you might deem coincidences. Sometimes God uses those to get our attention. Two coinciding event usually happen the same day, at least for me. I'll be thinking about music for a weekend service and someone will say to me, out of the blue "Hey, are you singing anywhere this weekend?" Or something like that.
Franzen was spot on.....:-)
I'm in 12th grade and I'm going to graduate in a month and I have purposely not done work to work on my novel and I absolutely do not care about any of it. Yes I finish the work but I don't it at my own pace I do not stress or force myself to get something finished I'll do it when I do it this is my potential career I'm working on I only get one chance at this
"A great poet turns mere words into human emotions" live by these words and you'll be the next dickens
Great
The very best advice is: stop watching videos on CZcams looking for advice on writing --- just WRITE!
If showing this in a classroom and don't want any embarrassment, start after :50.
nice
"Avoid the market as much as you can. The market is the most lethal of all poisons." !!
Kjell knows. Thats a good advice.
love that 8:50
richard ford im crying
The best advice is telling Richard Ford and Alla Al-Aswany to piss off. How dare either one of them to tell anybody not to write.
I am a writer and i do have the key for all of You guys.Just one and only advice that no one of You have thought of...hit me up if You need the real advice
Just a warning that some of these are really negative. The negative ones seem to be men with enormous egos (basically: "unless you're as talented as I am, and you think of writing the exact same way as I do, don't do it.") The others are more instructive.
Dear Video Creator,
Did it ever occur to you to present a brief bio of each author and their works ?
Richard Ford
"Writing must be the most important thing in your life" if that's how it is you wont live. It's all about balance baby.
WHAT age do you consider it too late to pursue a writing career? thank you
When age is too late to pursue a writing career? I say that as long as you're alive and thinking and can write and want to write---go for it!
I like the princess's story the most hahaha
Richard has no idea how he ended up here
Why only for the young writer.. What about aspired writers who are over 40.