I'll admit it right now. I love Project Runway. And for someone who's totally not into high fashion (or any kind of fashion, really) that's saying something.I've been trying to watch all the episodes in order this season, and I wonder... What can writers learn from fashion designers? After all, we're both creative types. We both can be attached to our work in sometimes unreasonable ways. Here are some random things writers can learn from Project Runway:
1. Writers need to have confidence in themselves.
The fashion designers who succeed on Project Runway are confident in their abilities. Sometimes too confident, but that's another story! It is possible to be confident without being cocky. Believe in your work. Believe in yourself. With God's help, you can become a great writer!
2. Stay true to yourself, but learn from constructive criticism.
Don't be so confident that you aren't open to the advice of experts, but still be confident. Be careful who you let read your work. Or at least be careful who's advice you believe. I'll give a lot more weight to the critique of a published novelist than I will say, my neighbor across the street. :) The designers, and writers, who excel are the ones who weigh the criticism carefully and apply what feels right to them, but also discard the extraneous.
3. Don't be afraid to have fun!
If you enjoyed "designing" a piece of writing, chances are your readers will enjoy reading it. Now go, go, go, writers ... and make it work!
Great post, CJ :) Those are awesome tips for writers. I enjoyed reading your post, even though I've never even watched Project Runway before. LOL ;)
ReplyDeleteSo true about criticism, CJ. I'm always telling new writers that, too. Thanks for adding that in there!
ReplyDeleteA great pep talk before I dive into an afternoon of writing. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteCool analogy! I've never seen Project Runway (don't have cable) but it sounds like a show I'd be a fan of. I just love to see people creating!
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