Be a Cannibalistic Writer

Summary

The article advocates for writers to improve their craft by selectively incorporating advice and systems from other writers into their own practice, a process described as being a "cannibalistic writer."

Abstract

The author of the article emphasizes the importance of continuous improvement in writing by adopting a cannibalistic approach to other writers' systems and advice. Recognizing that good writers are always looking for ways to enhance their writing process, the author suggests that instead of wholesale adoption, one should take advice à la carte, digesting only what is useful and integrating it into their existing skills. The article highlights the impact of an article by Sarah Cy, which introduced a writing system based on gathering, writing, and honing one's craft. It also references advice from Jon Brosio on the importance of daily goals and audience building. The author shares their personal hybrid system that prioritizes daily word counts, brainstorming, audience engagement, and scheduling, while also making time for reading, researching, and honing their craft. The article encourages writers to view taking advice as a sign of strength and confidence, essential for growth and improvement in their writing journey.

Opinions

The author believes that being open to advice and integrating others' systems into one's own writing process is a trait of a good writer.
Taking advice is seen not as a weakness but as a sign of a writer's confidence and strength.
The author found Sarah Cy's writing system, which emphasizes gathering, writing, and honing, to be particularly effective and has incorporated parts of it into their own practice.
Jon Brosio's advice on setting daily goals, expanding knowledge, and focusing on audience and marketing has also been influential in shaping the author's writing routine.
The author promotes the idea of having a flexible, hybrid system that combines elements from various sources to create a personalized and effective writing process.
Confidence in one's writing ability is crucial for growth, as it allows for the exploration of new methods and the continuous evolution of one's writing style.

Take advice a la carte

You are a good writer, but you feel you could be better. If you are reading posts such as this one, I know you have at the very least looked at how you produce material and ways you can improve it. You look for ways to improve not only what you write, but how you write. I think that is a sign of a good writer, being able to take advice and incorporate it into your existing skills or processes; it is not a sign of weakness.

The best way to improve the system you have is by digesting the systems of other writers, taking only what you need, and making it work for you. In other words, cannibalize the systems of others and develop your own.

Cannibalize Systems

I had been struggling with developing content and putting it out for consumption…until I read the following article developing a new writing system by Sarah Cy.

In it, the author said that the three basics of any good writing system include gathering, writing, and honing your craft.

It hit a chord…and it worked. I still use it…parts of it, anyway.

Have enough confidence in your skill as a writer to be able to take advice.

As I made the above system work for me, I came upon an article about a $2000 a month side hustle. In it, Jon Brosio had some advice.

It addressed the fact that there were still things I was not getting done even though I was following my system. I also looked at the essential things I needed to get done every day.

I learned that I needed to implement daily goals, expand my knowledge base, and up my audience and marketing.

What I kept is a hybrid of the two systems: My priorities: 500/250 words [fiction/articles]; brainstorming topics; Audience building; scheduling. Secondary: RRH (read, research, and hone).

Be a Confident Cannibal

Taking advice is harder for some than it is for others. Some see it as a weakness, but it’s not. I learned that I was never going to improve as a writer without trying new things.

Have enough confidence in your skill as a writer to be able to take advice.

I also publish on ILLUMINATION and An Idea (by Ingenious Piece). The latter is where you can read my recently published poem, Zephyr on An Idea (by Ingenious Piece).

Zombie Bait: Pieces of my Brain for you to Digest. A book of poems by McLaughlin

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