Sumiko Saulson

As a writer, I’m constantly seeking tips on how to create better characters, improve my settings, market my work and a billion other things I suck at. Some advice is great and finds its way into my special Writing Tips file folder – okay it’s not so much a file folder as it is papers scattered across my desk, Post-Its stuck in books I’m reading and articles torn from magazines left on the kitchen table. But, like a prospector panning for gold, I’ve had to sift through some real clunkers to get to the gold (there’s possibly a dung beetle analogy in there too, but I’m pressed for time today).

The following are a few of my favorite worst pieces of writing advice. (Don’t worry, I’m not going with the obvious “Write what you know” which is the pinnacle of stupid advice for any writing except maybe an interoffice memo.)