John Scalzi is a smart, smart guy

[dianeduane]

And an excellent writer. And he just did this wonderful long blog post just now (okay, it was really a couple of days ago) in which he said just about everything I'd say to a teenage writer (though in a different tone of voice, naturally).

All of you who're teenagers and want to write, go read this.

Now playing: Bonnie Tyler - Here She Comes

Comments

[agawa-jean.livejournal.com]

Thanks for the link, it looks quite useful.

...Darnit. Now I want to listen to Bonnie Tyler.

[starcat-jewel.livejournal.com]

He goes on and on about what an old fart he is. Then he happens to mention that he's 36.

Now I feel REALLY OLD. Physically (though not socially) he could be my son.

[padparadscha.livejournal.com]

When you're a teenager, 36 is REALLY OLD. I'm 20 right now, and I can tell you now with complete conviction that I will NEVER be older than 40.

It's not that they consciously think it actually is, but subconsciously they do because of percentages. I mean, when you're 18, 36 is exactly your entire life away. That can rearrange your thinking a bit.

[cjmr.livejournal.com]

Earlier this month I realized that I'm half as old as my grandfather was when he died. So, chances are I've already lived close to half as long as I'm going to.

Strange thing is, I'm totally fine with that.

[girasole.livejournal.com]

Well, I just sent Scalzi's link to a whole bunch of lists I am on, because it is so very excellent.
He is actually my son the writer's age.

[raisedbymoogles.livejournal.com]

I haven't been a teenager for over two years and this is still useful. Thank you.

[fiveforsilver]

I've been reading his blog for awhile (don't remember quite how I started reading it, but realized recently I've been linked to it from a number of different places over the past year) and recently decided to try out his books, since I like his blog.

Quite enjoyed them as well. He's a talented fellow, he is.

[padparadscha.livejournal.com]

Pretty good stuff. I'm one of those ubiquitous Aspiring Young Writers, and I was fortunate enough to be made aware of a lot of the things he says here early on. I'm glad it's been reiterated.

[lifein2x3.livejournal.com]

Sage advice; I'm not a teenager anymore (overheard from my partner's students today, "you remember when Kurt Cobain died?!) but still find it pretty useful. I will be passing it along to quite a few people.

A little bit of humility never hurts.

[jilumasam.livejournal.com]

I'm not a teenager. I love reading and proofreading far more than writing at the moment. I am however, starting to enjoy writing and seeing the progress I make.

Your link to John's blog was brilliant!!! Thanks so much!