The Best Writing Advice Ever
It’s simple: It’s possible.
Dear Shaunta is a weekly column. If you’d like me to answer your question, send it to shauntagrimes@gmail.com.
Dear Shaunta,
What is the best writing advice you’ve ever been given?
From, a Ninja Writer
Hey, Ninja!
Oh, this is a tough one. I’ve been given lots of great advice.
In my junior year in high school, my English teacher wrote a little note in the margins of a paper I turned in to her that said something like, “You’re a good writer. You should keep up with it.” I wish I’d had the presence of mind to save that. I can’t even remember her exact words, but the sentiment stuck. I kept up with it.
When I was in my mid-20s, I moved to the Armpit of America to be the newspaper reporter and I had an editor. Since I was the only writer, I got a lot of one-on-one attention from him. He taught me, once and for all, the difference between its and it’s. (My pinky finger still wants to put that stupid apostrophe in for a possessive when I’m on a roll, but at least I know it’s wrong now.)
He also taught me that writer’s block is not a thing. A deadline is a deadline and a sluggish muse is no excuse.
