Comments on: Evil Monkey’s Guide to Creative Writing: Tips for Beginners

By: Jesse Callahan

Jesse Callahan — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 06:17:23 +0000

I really enjoyed this!

By: Aaron Singleton

Aaron Singleton — Mon, 22 Sep 2008 13:24:51 +0000

Gene Wolfe is an all-around nice guy. I wrote him a letter once and he was kind enough to write me back. And his response wasn’t short and generic, but two pages long and every bit as entertaining as his fiction. He is also very modest about his talent and success, always unsure whether his next book will be published. I find that endearing in a man who is SF/F’s most praised (rightly so) writer.

I also love the work of Jack Vance, but according to many folks I have spoken to, he could care less if anyone likes him or not. He is still a lovable curmudgeon.

By: Fanatical Pupil » Blog Archive » In Which Evil Monkey Scares Me

Fanatical Pupil » Blog Archive » In Which Evil Monkey Scares Me — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 03:44:01 +0000

[...] Jeff VanDermeer posted 7 tips for Beginning Creative Writers. (2) Understand that you need to pay your dues. The worst thing you can possibly do as a beginning writer is think because you have a blog, a pen, and MySpace account that you and Gene Wolfe are now best pals and should be sharing writing advice with one another. If a Wolfe-type wants to, hey–that’s great. None of us are posturing. But don’t assume it. [...]

By: Hideously immense writing tips link-dump | Velcro City Tourist Board

Hideously immense writing tips link-dump | Velcro City Tourist Board — Wed, 02 Apr 2008 16:43:51 +0000

[...] Evil Monkey’s Guide to Creative Writing: Tips for Beginners – “(1) An early sense of entitlement is deadly to development. Don’t posture and preen well before you have any right to do so. (In fact, don’t ever.) Them that do rarely develop as writers, although some of them may become widely published over time. They just never recognize they suck.” [...]

By: Evil Monkey Helps Me Understand « Writing Every Day

Evil Monkey Helps Me Understand « Writing Every Day — Sun, 16 Mar 2008 17:09:02 +0000

[...] it’s definitely part of Jeff Vandemeer’s Evil Monkey’s Guide to Creative Writing: Tips for Beginners, in particular Rules 3 & [...]

By: Jack Kincaid

Jack Kincaid — Fri, 14 Mar 2008 20:49:18 +0000

#7:

*Might?*

You are far too kind.

By: Jeff VanderMeer

Jeff VanderMeer — Thu, 13 Mar 2008 21:34:54 +0000

I totally agree, Thaedeus. The fact is, the interconnectivity and creativity that results from helping each other out, in addition to the good karma, makes up for any kind of “advantage” a writer thinks he or she gives up by being helpful. And yet, and yet, I know at least five writers who are stingy at best in this department, who never pay it forward, who are always selfish, and who will always defend their little territory. I say “five” because most writers I know are generous and nice and share information willingly.

I know that if I share my contacts with five beginning writers of promise, it’s not only the right thing to do, it’s the smart thing to do, because of that connectivity. Because we are in fact all in this together.

The great Gentleman of this is Mike Moorcock–a more generous and giving person you will never find. And I take my lead from him as much as possible.

JEff

By: Thaedeus Zefuldar

Thaedeus Zefuldar — Thu, 13 Mar 2008 18:35:30 +0000

As an aspiring writer I would add one thing:

Writing is NOT a Zero-Sum game. You do not have to put down other
writers to get ahead. If your work is good enough, it will stand on its
own merit. On the flip-side, no amount of complaining or comparing
or slamming will get bad writing to the top of the slush pile.

Writers should support each other. Because, at the end of the day,
if you concentrate on putting down others to get ahead, you’re just
another asshole.

By: Once upon a mellow noon » Linkage

Once upon a mellow noon » Linkage — Wed, 12 Mar 2008 21:32:05 +0000

[...] Jeff Vandermeer: 7 tips for beginner writers [...]

By: Andrew

Andrew — Wed, 12 Mar 2008 21:05:00 +0000

Read books you don’t like… good idea.

I read this fantasy book where NOTHING BAD EVER HAPPENS to the main character. She’s invincible, and she’s annoying. I couldn’t stand her. Which is why in my stories, the characters get wounded, sidetracked, and, sometimes, killed. How can you create suspense when you know nothing bad is going to happen?

Another thing: Terry Brooks. I enjoy most of what I’ve read of his, but in this recent book, I got bored because the characters always seem to squirm their way out of every situation. Plus, when a character dies, in my opinion, he should stay dead unless there’s a GOOD reason why not.

Do you guys agree with what I’m saying?