This is excellent advice. Read lots and lots, slow down, take care of yourself, lead a life, ditch the phone--and everything else you brought up too.
In addition to all of these, I would advise myself to shed my creative skin as needed. That is, if I outgrow what I write, I can let that happen instead of clinging to forms and themes that no longer fit. Yesterday, when revising a new story, I realized that nearly all my stories over the past decade have been on a similar theme. Not that this is bad in itself--writers have preoccupations--but at some point, if it starts to feel old, it probably is. Dare something new, I'd tell my past self. There's a difference between novelty and newness; the former is superficial, the latter profound.
Speaking of revision and self-care, I wanted badly to apply to your Advanced Revision Workshop, but since I live in Hungary, it would mean meeting from midnight to 3 a.m. Even if I weren't teaching, that would be a bit reckless for me; with teaching in the picture, it would be irresponsible to my students as well. So I won't apply, but I wish I could. It looks like a wonderful course!
This is excellent advice. Read lots and lots, slow down, take care of yourself, lead a life, ditch the phone--and everything else you brought up too.
In addition to all of these, I would advise myself to shed my creative skin as needed. That is, if I outgrow what I write, I can let that happen instead of clinging to forms and themes that no longer fit. Yesterday, when revising a new story, I realized that nearly all my stories over the past decade have been on a similar theme. Not that this is bad in itself--writers have preoccupations--but at some point, if it starts to feel old, it probably is. Dare something new, I'd tell my past self. There's a difference between novelty and newness; the former is superficial, the latter profound.
Speaking of revision and self-care, I wanted badly to apply to your Advanced Revision Workshop, but since I live in Hungary, it would mean meeting from midnight to 3 a.m. Even if I weren't teaching, that would be a bit reckless for me; with teaching in the picture, it would be irresponsible to my students as well. So I won't apply, but I wish I could. It looks like a wonderful course!
Next time! Maybe we can run a morning session, EST! :)