Words on writing: tough love

If you are already a writer you might feel the need to gird your loins or fortify yourself with something before reading these; if you’re in the early stages of learning to be a writer then please don’t let the harsh realities contained within the quotations put you off. The good news is that all of us can get better.

With that in mind, I’ve distilled some of my experience of over 10 years teaching creative writing into mini-tutorials covering aspects of the craft such as plot, character creation, narrative & voice, dialogue etc. You can go to my crash course in creative writing now or read on and find it later in the Creative Writing category of this website.


Writing secrets. Number 2: tough love.

This little gem is by G.K. Chesterton. He may be brutal but, as all writers will find out at some time or another, he was right:

Writing secrets from G.K. Chesteron. Tough love by Ruth Wade

Hemingway always had something to say on the subject of being a writer:Writing secrets from Hemingway. Tough love by Ruth Wade

Fannie Hurst was obviously a woman after my own heart:

Writing secrets from Fannie Hurst. Tough love by Ruth Wade

Writing quotes. Irving Wallace. Tough Love by Ruth WadeIrving Wallace

Writers on writing. Dorothy Parker. Tough love by Ruth Wade Dorothy Parker

Dawn PowellWriters on writing. Dawn Powell. Tough love by Ruth Wade

To end with the toughest guy of all. Raymond Chandler stalked more than one set of mean streets:

Writing secrets from Raymond Chandler. Tough love by Ruth Wade

You can find some more wise words and inspiration here:

Writing secrets number 1: skills & craft 

Writing secrets number 3: the writer as artist

Writing secrets number 4: the deep stuff

Creativity quotes to inspire