Raymond Chandler's Writing Tips | WRITING ADVICE FROM FAMOUS AUTHORS

Рет қаралды 6,466

Күн бұрын

What do you make of Raymond Chandler's writing advice? These are all writing tips from the following sources:
www.theguardia....
www.azquotes.c...
As usual, I've chosen some interesting writing tips from famous authors and given you my opinion on them, let me know if you agree with me, Raymond Chandler, or neither of us!
Whatever kind of stories you write, I think it's useful to look at other writers and see what we can learn from them.
Some of the most useful advice about writing I've ever come across was from famous writers I hadn't read beforehand.
Let me know what you make of Raymond Chandler's tips in the comments!
Timestamps:
0:00 - Welcome
0:14 - Distillation?
1:15 - Bad days
2:24 - Distractions
3:54 - The man with a gun
5:36 - The extra element
6:56 - The challenge of all writing
MY NOVELLA IN FLASH - GOLD FURY:
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UK link: www.amazon.co....
MY WEBSITE:
www.kierenwest...
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Пікірлер: 41

@mariabarnes4094 2 жыл бұрын

For me, writing every day is not a chore but a habit that sometimes makes me ecstatic with happiness, sometimes leaves me indifferent, and from time to time drives me up the wall. However, it always brings me closer to my goal, to become a professional writer. It works for me; might not work for everyone though.

@KierenWestwoodWriting 2 жыл бұрын

Absolutely, I've always found writing to be full of ups and downs, both in productivity and how I feel about what I've written. Finding what works for you I think is hugely important, it's when you stop working as you think you should and start working as you really want to. That can make a huge difference and as you said, it's different for all of us. Thank you so much for watching 🙂

@velvetbees 11 ай бұрын

Thank you for this video. Number 6 especially resonates.

@KierenWestwoodWriting 11 ай бұрын

I'm really glad! I like to think there's maybe one tip in each of these that really stands out to each writer and can be useful :)

@AwakeArise 2 жыл бұрын

Just started reading The Lady In the Lake, my fourth Chandler novel. Always feel immersed in LA when I read his novels.

@KierenWestwoodWriting 2 жыл бұрын

Me too, he's great a creating a 'feel' of the place, without you really noticing he's doing it! 🙂

@madnessbydesign1415 Жыл бұрын

Writing with passion: If you're not passionate about writing it, why would they be passionate about reading it? Writing about real things magically: Finding the magic in reality is the whole point of writing. As for Fantasy, find the reality of the magic - your Fantasy world has to make sense within its own framework, or it falls flat... :)

@phototommyfive Жыл бұрын

I have never really heard of Raymond Chandler until I watched your channel. You kept mentioning him and I went out and bought the Big Sleep. Paging through it, I kept thinking over and over, this shit is brilliant. Of course, I've watched the Bogart movie. I was mildly entertained by it but it wasn't spectacular by my estimation. But the book... hot-doggity damn, it's good. Really good. Thanks for the recommendation.

@KierenWestwoodWriting Жыл бұрын

I felt the same when I read it. Immediately felt different to other stuff I'd read. What a strong voice. Glad you like it as much as I did! 🙂

@phototommyfive Жыл бұрын

@@KierenWestwoodWriting What sold me was the introductory description of Carmen. "She was twenty or so, small and delicately put together, but she looked durable." The phrasing was so distinct, descriptive, and decisive without being judgmental. It was after that line where I thought to myself, "Okay, this guy's got some writing chops. Not your average wordsmith."

@SH-yk4ft 2 жыл бұрын

Make your writing better instantly: 1.Minimize adverbs 2.Minimize adjectives (especially bland ones) 3.Keep your sentences short as often as possible.

@CandyAndromeda Жыл бұрын

True

@JoeyPaulOnline 2 жыл бұрын

I really liked these quotes, and loving the thoughts you have on them!

@KierenWestwoodWriting 2 жыл бұрын

Thank Joey, he's definitely got some good quotes, even if they're few and far between compared to other writers. The great thing is you don't have to be a detective fiction writer for these to apply, they're useful for any kind of writing I think :)

@denniswinters3096 10 ай бұрын

The Lady In The Lake has a brilliant plot. I think that's my favourite.

@KierenWestwoodWriting 10 ай бұрын

I’m saving that one for a special occasion but it’s on my shelf ready to read!

@resistancepublishing 2 жыл бұрын

To be honest, I never truly experienced the painstaking labor, the writer’s block and suffering that I hear a lot of people complain about. I think it’s because of my vivid imagination. Sometimes I wish I could turn my imagination off and relax but I never stop. 3 a.m. in the morning or 3 p.m. in the evening I’m always writing

@readerturnedwriter 2 жыл бұрын

These are all such good quotes! I haven't ever actually read anything by him, but now I'll have to check out his books.

@KierenWestwoodWriting 2 жыл бұрын

I think so too! He’s worth a read for sure though some stuff is a little…old fashioned now shall we say 😂

@schroedingers_kotze Жыл бұрын

Very nice summary of Chandler's writing tips. However, the second point is very shortened with Chandler's quote. In some letters to his publishers and friends, he explained his working method in more detail: For one thing, he had a fixed routine with specific hours set aside for writing. He also didn't just do something completely different when he was struggling with writing. But instead of compulsively forcing it, at such moments he usually stayed near his work place, looked out the window, or did something similar to clear his brain and get himself "in the mood." It is in this sense that his quote should be understood: "I write when I can and I don't write when I can't." In any case, he always made sure that he could continue writing as soon as he found a new starting point.

@KierenWestwoodWriting Жыл бұрын

Ah, thank you. That context was definitely lacking in my sources but it does shed a lot more light on the quote. It's not quite as straightforward as it seemed. I appreciate you sharing that! 🙂

@schroedingers_kotze Жыл бұрын

@@KierenWestwoodWriting If you're interested in more details about Chandler, I highly recommend his letters, which have been published in various editions, as well as Frank MacShane's superbly researched and well-written 1976 biography, The Life of Raymond Chandler.

@ge0rgeharris218 10 ай бұрын

By the way I agree with what you have to say about writing and I enjoyed this video and hope to see more!

@kb2vca 2 жыл бұрын

Not sure I totally agree that technique itself is not sufficient. Which is to say, if you think about it, when one writes poetry there is a persona behind the words and the language itself is what enthralls the reader; the language catching observations that the reader might have made but which the reader has not the ability to fix in words. I would argue that that use of language is not always only attributed to a poet. As a writer of prose you can also excite readers with your use of language BUT the work you need to do to raise language to that level - without descending into a purple haze - is perhaps much harder not least because of the size of the canvas required by a short story or a novel. In short, language itself can be the main character, the plot, the setting and theme of your story. And that language is something the reader can take from your story and live with for days and months and even years...

@jwon5614 Жыл бұрын

Thanks for the channel-I just found you! I need all the tips, tricks and advice I can get!!!! Oh-and I did subscribe….and like😊

@KierenWestwoodWriting Жыл бұрын

Thanks very much! Glad to have you and I wish you all the very best for your writing! 🙂

@clintoreilly 2 жыл бұрын

This advice came at a good time. You know that 'moment' the one where you aren't sure if you should go on lol. I've heard many mention that 'moment.' Thanks & write on :)

@frankstarshiphead6839 2 жыл бұрын

great work dude

@KierenWestwoodWriting 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you :) Appreciate it!

@wanjooalexkim 2 жыл бұрын

Hi. My take on point three is that by "the rest" he means everything leading up to the completed work. That is to say, it is the finished product, the end result, that he lives for, and not the process. Something akin to the quip, "I love having written, but hate writing." I enjoy your videos. Thanks.

@KierenWestwoodWriting 2 жыл бұрын

That could very well be what he meant, I wouldn't be at all surprised 🙂 Thanks for sharing your thoughts and for watching!

@ElliotBrownJingles Жыл бұрын

I'm working on a book for the benefit of people with anxiety about strangers and I've got writers block.

@laurabesley7095 2 жыл бұрын

I think in point no 3 "the rest" could mean everything else surrounding writing, i.e. marketing, interviews, etc.

@KierenWestwoodWriting 2 жыл бұрын

Ah, you're right I bet that's exactly what he meant. I didn't think of that! 🙂

@ge0rgeharris218 10 ай бұрын

Distilled writing is a process of refining what you originally wrote! Chandler was a master and he led an interesting life! Can you tell me what you have written so that I can get a peek into your plotting skills?

@houser2094 2 жыл бұрын

You keep mentioning you write short novels. Do they make any money?

@KierenWestwoodWriting 2 жыл бұрын

I’ve had stories published in journals recently, but not that many seem to pay. I’ve really just been writing them because I enjoy them. Making money from them isn’t really a priority for me just now but I’m sure it’s possible, though they’re not as profitable as a successful novel would be I guess.

@houser2094 2 жыл бұрын

@@KierenWestwoodWriting thankyou very much. That was insightful and I'm going to try my luck.thanks

@thereccher8746 2 жыл бұрын

I don't like this frame of thought that separates planning from "real" writing. Writing isn't typing. Writing is a process. It's outlining, research, problem-solving, editing, revising, plotting, planning etc. The actual filling up the blank page part takes up 20% of the process, if that.

@KierenWestwoodWriting 2 жыл бұрын

That might be how it works for you, but it's not the same not every writer.

@thereccher8746 2 жыл бұрын

@@KierenWestwoodWriting I'm not saying that my process is universal. Of course, a writer has to find what works for him. I just like the idea that I'm doing will be labelled "procrastination," when it's an important part of the process. For me if I don't outline, than it'll take a longer time for me to finish the script.