Writing Advice: Ann Patchett

Here’s today’s writing inspiration from the delightful and brilliant novelist Ann Patchett:

• Don’t be afraid to make money writing the kinds of things you’d never write for the fun of it. There’s no shame in earning a living, and whatever you write, even catalog copy or fluffy magazine articles, makes you a better writer.
• Writing about my happy marriage is alot more difficult, a lot more intimate, than writing about the unhappy stuff. But it’s my story to tell, and if I think I can learn something important, or share something important, I’ll tell it.
• Staying focused, sitting at your desk, is your number one job as a wr iter. There’s always something else to do. Don’t do it! Remember, time applied equals work completed.

–Ann Patchett from Why We Write edited by Meredith Maran

Why do you write?

Happy Writing!

Hillary