Unlocking the Mysteries of Writing on Medium

Insights from Beloved Authors

Writing is undoubtedly an extremely private endeavor. When faced with questions about writing in various interviews, writers tend to avoid discussing it, often citing a mystical explanation: during the act of writing, no one knows where their pen will lead them. Breaking down and analyzing the writing process implies absolute control over words, which, in the eyes of writers, is nearly impossible. Writing, for the most part, is a process of waiting for words to "descend" and meanings to "emerge."

1. Pay attention to various things, observe more, and don't write until you have something.

2. Don't force yourself to write when you can't produce anything.

3. Models don't have to be specific individuals; they can be a combination of various observations.

4. After finishing writing, read it at least twice and make an effort to remove unnecessary words, sentences, and paragraphs without hesitation. It's better to condense potential novel materials into sketches rather than stretching sketch materials into a novel.

5. Read short stories, especially works from Eastern and Northern Europe, as well as Japanese works.

6. Avoid using adjectives that only you understand.

7. Don't believe in "novel techniques" or similar concepts.

8. Don't believe in so-called "critics," but instead, read reviews by reliable critics.

Here are some tips from my favorite authors:

"Focus on one task at a time until it is completed." - Henry Miller (known for "Tropic of Cancer")

"Nothing remarkable is ever easy." - F. Scott Fitzgerald (known for "The Great Gatsby")

"Only through wholehearted dedication and focus can the world and oneself achieve harmony and unity. This state further nurtures a deeper empathy with things that can be understood, perceived, and practiced." - Jane Hirshfield (known for the poetry collection "Given Sugar, Given Salt")

"If you want to write a great work, you have to accept and bear the consequences of losing or giving up a lot." - Susan Sontag (known for "Against Interpretation")

"Without money, perhaps one cannot enjoy the comforts of life. But as long as a person still has dignity, such a situation can be endured. There's no need to panic." - Colette (known for "Gigi")

"At its best, writing can bestow unprecedented blessings upon you. But you have to seek it out, and it will only be granted to you when you've searched every corner, been battered and withered. Only then can it bestow its grace upon you." - Anne Dillard (known for "Pilgrim at Tinker Creek")

"Reveal everything, keep revealing everything, strive to reveal everything, and then, the muse of inspiration will appear." - Isabelle Allende (known for "The House of the Spirits")

"If you persist long enough and go far enough, the problems that manifest in your work will gradually become clear." - Helen Dunmore (known for "Betrayal")

"The pursuit of perfection is like chasing the horizon. Please persist." - Neil Gaiman (known for "American Gods")

"In most cases, writing is achieved through steady diligence and perseverance. This process requires determination and belief, and in each moment, we sail towards more exhilarating joys." - Samuel Johnson (editor of "The Plays of William Shakespeare")

The above are tips from my favorite writers. In general, the most important thing about writing is

love.