Monday Writing Motivation: Ten things every writer should know

By Richard Beynon

Posted June 14, 2021

In How to write a book, Monday Motivation, Richard Beynon's blog

Writing is rewriting.
The first idea is not necessarily the best idea.
Your protagonist must want something – badly.
Writing is not the best way to prepare financially for old age.
Writing is the best way to prepare emotionally for old age.
Details make story memorable, not plot devices.
Less is more.
When emotions run hot, writers write cool.
Story flows from character, not character from story.
Love your characters. Love especially your bad characters.

Happy writing,

Richard

Richard Beynon

Richard Beynon is a story consultant and an award-winning film and television scriptwriter with a long and accomplished career in the industry. He has written for – or headed the storytelling teams of – many of country’s most popular soaps, dramas and comedies. These include S’gudi snaysi, Going Up, Soul City, Isidingo, Scandal, Rhythm City and Isibaya. A former journalist for the Rand Daily Mail, he has conceived, shaped and written scores of documentaries. He has lectured on writing for film and television at Wits University.