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William Wright lives in Marietta, GA where he is a freelance editor, tutor, and workshop leader. He is the 2012 winner of the Porter Fleming Prize for Poetry. You can check out Dr. Wright's full bio and website HERE.
You don’t have to anchor your work completely in reality. Take a risk, bask in lyricism, use your imagination to transcend the events that are actually part of your reality.
You want your work to be beautiful, so don’t let your work go until you fully feel that way about it. Doubts? Just one? Still hold on to it.
Make friends in the field if you can – if you stumble upon something you truly, genuinely like, if possible, write to the author and tell them why you liked it.
What does your story have to stand out from the crowd? Make sure you’re not telling the same story or writing the same poem again and again.
Your stories will likely find their voices via writers who have preceded you. Don’t be ashamed of this. Your writing will not be derivative if it’s a synthesis of writers you admire—it will indeed be your own voice.
Even though you may write just for yourself, remember you’re writing for an audience at the end of the day: a group of people you’re trying to reach, and you should want them to read it. Always strive for publication.
Tips for the Everyday Writer
Dr. William Wright
Give yourself an oath to create a legacy for yourself.
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