Double Header- The best writing advice ever AND an award!

I've compiled all the writing advice from last week's post, but first I'd like to thank Krista M for my new award!  It's the Liebster Blog award, which means friend in German.  Krista is a college student with four (yes, four!) novels under her belt!  Her blog is a cute mix of every-day life and writing; I highly recommend checking it out ;o)

There's no tell-us-seven-things rule to go along with this award (thank you, Lord). It's sole purpose is to connect bloggers, specifically those with less than 200 followers. Look how quick and simple these rules are: 

1. Show your thanks to the blogger who gave you the award by linking back to them.
2. Reveal your top 5 picks and let them know by leaving a comment on their blog.
3. Post the award on your blog.
4. Bask in the love from the most supportive people on the internet—other writers.
5. And best of all – have fun and spread the karma. 

Here are my picks (in random order):

1) Jenny Phresh - This girl is hi-lar-i-ous!  If your feeling down and need a laugh, check out her blog ;-)
2) Marian Vere -  Marian's blog is always full of honest, well-written posts!
3) Bethany - Another funny gal. When she's not shopping at Wal-mart--her favorite store--she's juggling family, work, and a budding writing career!
4) Ashley Graham - Ashley has been absent from the blogosphere for a while, and I miss her inspirational posts :o(  Check out some of her older blog posts, and you'll see what I mean ;-)
5) Anna Banks - Anna's debut novel "Of Poseidon" is scheduled for release in Spring of next year. Her posts about what happens AFTER nabbing an agent are awesome.  Take a look!

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Now it's time for the best writing advice ever!

I want to thank everyone for sharing their best writing advice last week (you guys had some really good stuff!).  Based on all the comments, it seems the best writing advice is to stay true to yourself.  It sounds like a no-brainer, right?  But seriously, how many time have you been tempted (even if just a teeny, tiny bit) to write a certain genre or in a certain POV, just because everyone else was doing it?  Okay, so maybe you won't admit to it, but I bet the thought has passed your mind before--even if just fleetingly. 

Staying true to yourself is invaluable writing advice, because when you try to force something, the outcome is never good.  

Below is all the awesome advice left in the comment section of last week's post.  Thanks again to everyone who shared!

 

"[1] Read anything and everything you can get your hands on. Set aside time to read read read. [2] There is almost always a better word, or sets of words that can replace an adverb. [3] Write write write - even if you have nothing to say, write it anyway."  --Nina Powers

"You wanta be a writer ... you have to write."  --Anita Howard

"Rules are more like guidelines, anyway. (ala Pirates of the Carribean style).  Also: Follow your writerly gut."  --Cherie

"Write for yourself, not for an audience.  Even with 80+ rejections, I always received praise for having a strong voice in my manuscript. I attribute this to writing the book for me--not for anybody else. The moment you start writing to an audience, the soul of the book (meaning, the author's voice) disappears. You gotta write what works for YOU!"  --Bethany

"Follow your gut and to never give up."  --Jen

"Figure out what works for -you- and do that thing even if it goes against everything everyone else says. I mean, just because everyone else is eating rocks...Or jumping off of bridges..."  --Andrew

"My advice would be to enjoy writing and not stress about everything, but to love what you write and stand behind it."  --Krista M.