Advice, And Why I Never Give It

What happened the one time I was asked what I wish young writers knew...

Advice - not really my strong suit.

Evidence? Well, some years ago I was asked to compile a list of 10 things I thought young writers could benefit from knowing. Here it is in full:

i) Don't make a list.

ii) Don't take anyone else's advice.

iii) Trust yourself.

iv) Be curious. About everything.

v) I am aware of the irony that I have been compiling a list.

vi) The curiosity thing is really important. There are a lot of crimes in the world, many of them appalling. But lack of curiosity is a crime that you yourself can commit and it usually has only one victim - yourself.