In life, perhaps the only guarantee we’re given is that time will pass. Minutes move us through the week, a month ends, another begins, and before we know it, it’s been a year.
Even knowing this, it seems impossible that a year has passed since the first Pages Penned in Pandemic interview post went live on this blog. I wrote that post with the hope that I would, at the very least, be able to learn a bit more about my friends and their writing lives. You see, no two writers are the same. Though our writing group connected virtually to share completed work, we weren’t always there for the difficult days, for the selection of the perfect song to help distract from the chaos beyond our windows. And in crafting questions for this interview series, I wanted to know about those things and more.
Early on, my blog schedule was indeed filled by friends. But I took a chance, reaching out to other writers on Twitter, and now I am blessed to have some of them as both friends and champions of my writing. The world is a messy and complicated place sometimes, but there were days during this process when everything aligned and felt too perfect; unreal.
This isn’t to say that the featured blog series or what followed came easily. No dream worth following is ever easy. But the process of putting together Pages Penned in Pandemic was worth it. Now that a year has passed, I can write those words with complete confidence in their truth.
Maybe you’re asking what this has to do with advice to young writers? Well, dear readers, among the questions I crafted for the interview series, I knew I wanted to ask writers what words of wisdom they might pass along. If anyone was impacted most by the pandemic, I thought it was likely the kids and young adults who had a story inside and no one around to encourage putting it on a page.
All these many years later, I am lucky to say I still have teachers inspiring and urging me on toward my other dreams. I knew this was something not to be forgotten or dismissed despite the difficulties of 2020. This is also why all proceeds from the collective are being donated to 826 National, an organization which benefits young writers. But you can read more about that HERE.
For now, I want to return to this advice. The world is still chaotic. We’re all healing and rebuilding and trying to find our way. So whether you’re new to the craft of writing or young at heart, I hope the advice from these 100 authors helps you in some small way.
Advice to young writers:
“Keep writing! "Practice makes perfect" is a cliche because it contains a grain of truth. The best way to improve your writing skills is to write more.”
-Kate Pashby
“Even on the days where it seems difficult, just keep moving. Keep writing, and keep reading. Find a community, whether online or in person, who supports your writing, and be sure to support theirs. Even when you're rejected, remember that it isn't because your writing isn't good, it's just not the right fit for where you submitted it. You'll find the right space for your writing, and it will be a joyous day.”
-Melissa Boles
“It doesn't matter what 'time' it is; keep writing, keep reading, repeat. Others will give up. If you hang in there, someone will find you and your work.”
-Dónal Fogarty
“Keep writing and remember writers have put words to paper in worse pandemics.”
-Ben Nardolilli
“Your words matter! They matter to you - and there's someone out there who needs them, too.”
-jerica taylor
“Write, edit, write, read aloud, edit.”
-paul beckman
“When you can't write, read. When you can't read, write.”
-Megha Nayar
“Make writing a part of your regular routine.”
-Linda Gebroe
“Just keep going—it's never going to be what you expect but really, we've picked an 'industry' where the uncertainty is going to be part of our lives for good so it's best to get used to things like rejection and plans changing and whatnot pretty early on!”
-Rhea Dhanbhoora
“Write all the things you're afraid to write about.”
-J.D. Eames
“I think I'm a "young" writer myself, meaning inexperienced. But what I learned in this time was to write, connect, and submit. The writing is always first, and I've learned to write what I love. Then I've found that by connecting to other poets, I've found tons of support, encouragement and new challenges. Finally, for years as a writer I was so scared of rejection that I didn't submit. This year, I've just fired away at the journals my friends recommend to me. And it's been great to see more of my poems finding homes in the world!”
-Matthew Miller
“Do better than I have. Write everyday. Read everyday.”
-Ted Chiles
“Butt in chair; get into your interior world.”
-Caroline Johnson
“Be kind to yourself and be kind to your work. Even in the moments when you doubt your writing, respect what you put into it and trust that you will love it again soon. Also, don’t be afraid to mess around with different forms and styles - breaking your own rules if half the fun of poetry.”
-Meredith Phipps
“Write one sentence every day, even if you delete it the next day.”
-M.R. Diamond
“Keep writing, share your work with others, take online classes.”
-Judy Taylor
“Writing isn't the end-product, it's the way. It can keep us afloat. Writing can heal us. Writing can help us cope with our grief and remember what we love. So keep writing. Say what's real and share it.”
-Mary Grace Bertulfo
“It's okay to rest. Let me repeat that: IT IS OKAY TO REST. You do not need to be creative every waking moment of your life and if you haven't "produced" something, that does not mean you are unworthy or a bad writer. We are in the middle of one of the most unprecedented and surreal times in history. Breathe. Give yourself a break. This time will pass!”
-Jenny Maveety
“Take advantage of the extra hours and read while you can. Soak it all up.”
-Tina Anton
“Write regularly. Don't give yourself excuses or judge too harshly. Just practice the process and great things will happen - both in your writing and your life.”
-Robin Reynolds
“Take advantage of Zoom offerings to keep on writing.”
-Suellen Wedmore
“Take good notes. One day, you will forget what this really felt like. In three months, you'll forget what you were thinking about right now.”
-Dot Dannenberg
“Write an insight down the instant you think of it. If you don't, distractions everywhere will kill it.”
-Catherine Lee
“Hang in there—this isn't normal. And it's ok if you feel like you can't get any work done right now--thinking is part of writing.”
-Kate Levin
“Use the time to write as much as you can, and don't let the rejections get you down.”
-Caroline Taylor
“Your work is important. Act accordingly.”
-Lori Fontanes
“Develop a habit of writing, editing, sending, and keep doing that alongside lots of reading. You'll get there, but probably not before you define where 'there' is.”
-Judy Darley
“Let it all out, don't hold back and don't wait.”
-Joe Quinn
“Be selective about where you submit. One good match is what you need.”
-Elizabeth Reed
“It's okay if you don't write your next big thing during this pandemic, nurture yourself and preserve you creative mind. Challenge it when you're ready.”
-Citra Benzair
“Keep writing. Write what your soul stirs you to write. It may look like the world is closing down but it's really opening up.”
-Aimee DuFresne
“I am a young writer myself, so I often tell myself to keep doing what I do best, and to keep getting better at it. To keep writing against all odds.
-Olaitan Humble
“Keep your self-trust intact and have patience. Keep faith in humanity.
-R.K. Singh
“Be gentle with yourself. There was this great meme early on in the pandemic of someone rowing a boat during a storm with the caption "What do you mean you can't be creative in the middle of a crisis?" If you can't write during this time, if you aren't able to produce anything, that's exactly what you need to do. Don't force it. We're all under a lot of conscious and subconscious stress right now so don't add to it if inspiration doesn't strike.”
-Salena Casha
“I still consider myself a young writer, but I would encourage new authors not to compare themselves to fellow wordsmiths. Don't expect every piece you pour into your journal to be the next great American classic. Be gracious and allow yourself room to learn and grow.”
-D.R. Humble
“Take walks without headphones, notice your surroundings.”
-Paul Rousseau
“Don’t feel like you have to be creative and constantly writing every day because we’re in a pandemic. Some people encourage creatives to push out content and “do something useful and productive” with their time, but I know there’ll be days or moments where you don’t want to write or produce other kinds of art. Also remember that self-care is just as important. Even though writing can be a release, don’t push yourself to write just so you feel productive. There’s a lot going on in the world, and sometimes taking a break from working is a great way to reground yourself. I’m trying to follow all this in my own life, since I’ve experienced moments when I felt depressed, unmotivated, and a failure for the stressful issues I face because of what happened during the pandemic.”
-Mariya Khan
“Remember your experiences during this time, the good and the bad. Remember how life has been altered and the effect it has had on those around you. Listen to others and how they describe what they are going through. I recall watching a show on the pandemic of 1918 and a commentator said he was astonished how quickly people seemed to want to forget the impact it had on their lives. There are stories that need to be told about our current experiences. Young writers will be the ones creating their stories of today and carrying them far into the future.”
-J.D. Bell
“Keep the faith in yourself and your project. Try to connect with other writers on a regular basis, as that makes it easier to keep yourself accountable. Dedicate any time you've gained to writing.”
-Laura Beretsky
“It doesn't have to be great, it just needs to be a thing.”
-Abigail Swanson
“You're never too old and it's never too late. I think that mantra can be applied to life, too, not just writing!”
-Christine M. Estel
“Don't let anyone put you off developing your own style. You are coming from your own truth and that is unique. It's ok for your voice to be unique too. Be you.”
-Sam Smith
“Just because the pandemic absorbs you, remember that you have, as well, other times in your life about which you can write.”
-James Penha
“Kid, hang in there. In about twenty years someone will do a big study showing that teenagers who lived through this era are more creative and resilient than other generations, but I already know that by looking at you. Just keep doing what you're doing: be strong, be kind, and work hard. This too shall pass.”
-Tilia Klebenov Jacobs
“Write daily, in any form, even if its only a few words.”
-Brittney Uecker
“Find something else that you love as much or more than writing. It will help fuel your work and also makes it easier to deal with rejection and self-doubt.”
-Claire Taylor
“Don't pressure yourself. Don't give up on what you love, of course, but don't force yourself to write if you don't want to. Don't force yourself to do anything if it's going to be bad for your mental or physical health. Honestly, bad times will pass. The most important thing is your happiness in the present moment, nothing else.”
-Casper
“Don't stop writing or taking notes! One of my biggest mistakes was not doing so for a few years after school. You'll be thrilled, if you ever do decide to pursue writing and publishing seriously, to have a library of work and metaphors to go through.”
-Mitchell Solomon
“Keep reading, writing and revising. And never stop learning.”
-Laurie Rosen
“If you have a persistent idea for a story, start writing, keep writing, keep revising until it describes the idea perfectly.”
-Peter Trivelas
“Write from your heart. That's what touches, that's what heals.”
-Swati Singh
“Do whatever you need to get words on paper (or screen): lists, letters, journaling, blogs. It all counts!”
-Tania Runyan
“Write down words you like, and use them in your poems. Don't worry about not writing a lot or not having a career in writing; life takes circuitous paths, and each of those paths will make you a better writer, add depth to your thoughts.”
-Judith Alexander Brice
“Take advantage of online workshops and write, write, write!”
-Barbara Rady Kazdan
“If you feel like you should put words down, then put them down. They might not turn into anything right then, but once they exist on paper you can always come back to them.”
-SM Colgan
“Write what you love, what you are passionate about. And keep writing.”
-Ashleigh Weaver
Find someone you trust to show your work to, who knows how to read the kind of thing you are trying to write. Then humble yourself to listen to what they say.”
-Susan Chock Salgy
“Don't try your arse off—it's just not worth it. When it hurts you more than it gives you joy, stop. If you really love the writing, and not just the idea of being a writer, you'll return to it soon enough, because you won't be able to help yourself. In the meantime, just be kind to you.”
-Cathryn McCarthy
“Do not stop writing. Do it as often as you can, as much as you can. Do not care if it's bad.”
-Jasmina Kuenzli
“Just write. Don't let yourself get in the way. If you're worried about it "being bad" or "no one liking it." Just get you thoughts out of your head and on that paper.”
-Anthony Leiner
“Write everything down, remember your voice is unique and the personal is universal.”
-Adrian Ernesto Cepeda
“Read, read widely. Read books you know you will love and read books you hate from word one.”
-Millicent Borges Accardi
“Keep going...even if you have to pause for a very long time...keep going.”
-Megan Cannella
“Just write and read what makes you happy and forget about the rest. Chances are, someone else will like it too.”
-Hannah Peterson
“Don't force yourself to write. If things are stressful (as they likely are) you're allowed to take breaks, breathe, and come back to your writing at a better time. It'll wait for you. Be kind to yourself.”
-Oskar Leonard
“Don't give up, and prioritize your mental well-being above all.”
-Grace Alice Evans
“Keep writing because the more practice you get the better you will become. The only way to become a good writer is to write...a lot!”
-Elizabeth Bates
“Connect with lit mags and other writers on social media! Read the new work they are publishing, even in genres you don't write, since reading different styles will only add to your writer's tool belt.”
-Lucia Larsen
“Write when it's hard. Write when it's light. Write when you feel joy. Write when you feel pain. No one can take your pen. Your thoughts and ideas are yours. So, don't stop writing.”
-Pam R. Johnson Davis
“There's no shortcut. If you can sit down and do the work, do that. If you can't, then find the time to do it anyway.”
-Kevin Lankes
“Whatever you are seeing, feeling, and experiencing is all unlimited material for your writing. Get it down on paper when it comes to you because the creativity won't wait. If you are not in a place to write, take notes with your phone so that you can come back to the words that want to be said.”
-Paula Brown
'“Write your own magic, and no one else's.”
-Meagan Johnson
“Listen to the 'pulse of all' as we all are in it together.”
-Hardarshan Singh Valia
“Try not to worry about where you fit in the literary community. Write what you want to write. Read even more than you write. Be yourself completely. If you're authentic, editors will notice.”
-Lindsey Heatherly
“Go easy on yourself. Remember that no one produces perfection on a first draft. Remember that these are uncertain times, uncommon times, unprecedented times, and you can forgive yourself if your writing habits or production isn’t what you expect. Take it one day at a time, stay healthy, and just try to bring honesty to the page.”
-Margaret McNellis
“Show up. Do it. Even if it's only a sentence or a paragraph/stanza every day.”
-Karla Linn Merrifield
“Find fanciful outlets for your writing. Use the chaos around you to ground you in your writing and search your imagination for new ways of looking at what you see and feel every day.”
-Bobbie Crafts
“Don't give up! Find inspiration in every day. Keep reading. The more you read, the more you can broaden your awareness of literary styles and techniques, learning about the craft of great writers, and then develop your own unique voice. I also would encourage you to read/watch the news every day, which can also broaden your awareness, and inspire you. Rather than being disheartened by the headlines, you can turn them around. Write about the change you wish to see. This is a step you can take towards making this change happen, and bettering the future.”
-Kathryn Sadakierski
“Keep writing. Let this uncertain time inspire your pen. Don't stop writing, your voice is more important now than ever before.”
-Ash Slade
“There is a place for your work; keep trying to find it.”
-Philip Berry
“Hold on to hope.”
-Lisa Lerma Weber
“Make the most of more hours by yourself.”
-John Grey
“Keep on, write every day, and don't get discouraged by rejections.”
-Thea Schiller
“If you can keep writing during the pandemic—you will build your resilience to write no matter what.”
-Amita Basu
“Try to write daily. Even if just flash fiction or the beginnings of a longer piece. It's like playing a musical instrument; you need practice and motivation.”
-Yash Seyedbagheri
“Keep going, whether you are writing or not, just keep going.”
-Jason de Koff
“As a young writer myself, I think continuing to read and write is really all anyone can do right now, as much as anyone can. That, and be kind to yourself. The world is falling apart and there is only so much you can do in that framework. Do what brings you joy as much as you can. Keep going!”
-Rachel A.G. Gilman
“Write authentically and respectfully. Always be original.”
-David Brookes
“Write about the things that feel very present to you right now. Write about the things that interest you most right now. Those things may or may not correspond to what's on the news right now. If it does, that's fantastic. If it doesn't, that's also fantastic.”
-Meghan Malachi
“So many people in this world are going to tell you to live your life a certain way, your dreams are impossible to achieve, and you must settle for something less than what you want. You're living in a time when the internet, technology, and countless other outlets prove this simply isn't true. Just because those people felt too afraid to go for their dreams doesn't mean you can't achieve yours – you just might have to think outside the box and take a scenic route to getting there. Don't be afraid to hit the gas pedal and enjoy the ride!”
-T.C. Anderson
“You are living through something unprecedented. If we've learned anything, it's that every day can bring new challenges and it's up to us to persevere and get through it all in one piece. Tackle your writing with that same dedication.”
-Wm. Brett Hill
“My advice would be to write. Your words will be part of history. Your stories will be a reminder of what life was like during this time whether told through poetry, fiction, non-fiction, or music. However you you find it best to share your experiences. Young writers have unique voices. I love to hear from them. I’m inspired by their honesty. I’m humbled by their anxieties and fear. I’m grateful for their hope.”
-Cara Long
“Never stop writing but don't fall for the idea that it's a betrayal to get a job (that isn't writing) that you can tolerate doing and which will pay you well enough to be comfortable. You will get more words on the page when you have financial security than when you are working three jobs.”
-A.M. Kelly
“Stay open to ideas (mostly this comes through reading and writing) - they don't necessarily have to come from classical sources. Some of my favourite poems are about anime, games, films, TV shows. Collect prompts as well. If you're anything like me, they may not work immediately and you'll want to come back when you're ready.”
-SK Grout
“Don’t panic, read plenty, only watch the news once a day for an update, message your loved ones everyday, and write everything down. As a historian, that information will be important for future generations.”
-Lindsay Allister
“I would say to not push yourself too hard during this time. The pandemic is affecting everyone differently. If you're someone where writing is helping you get through it, definitely do that; however, if you're not writing and can't right now, don't stress yourself out about it. As cliche as this statement has become, this situation is unprecedented, nonetheless with everything going on socially—allow yourself to breathe. Whether you write now or later, it will happen.”
-Preston Smith
“The hardest part of writing is the writing. It can seem so daunting and what you see in your mind is sometimes so faraway from the groundwork you have to lay to get there. But just like any project, you break it down into steps. You work at it and you don't stop.”
-Steve McCarthy
“Hopefully, the world will not always look as it does now. But while it does, try to take time you may have off before returning to school to write just one thing, or revise something, or read something amazing. Reach out to a writer you admire while everyone's online. And above all, have fun. That's the most important thing in writing, to enjoy it, every moment.”
-Holley Long
“I can't stress the importance of being kind to yourself. Not everything happens in a day, but there is so much to be enjoyed and accomplished in twenty-four hours time.
As always, I would say, keep going. During these months, I haven't escaped rejection, but I refuse to give up, and I think this is the most useful tool in the life of a writer.
One final piece of advice: Read. Read everything. Read anything. Read good books and bad books and things some people call trite. Escape into stories and give your mind a rest from puzzling out ways to leave your mark and save our world. Great thinking comes from imagining and imagining is honed best through filling creative wells with stories.”
-Kayla King
There you have it: advice to young writers from 100 authors! I hope you’ve found some words to encourage you to keep pursuing your writing.
No matter your circumstances, I hope you find a way to believe in the magic of telling stories. Believe your words matter. Because they do, and they always will.
