best and worst advice

Someone recently asked me, “What’s the best writing advice I ever received?  
  
“Get up earlier.” This came from my mentor, DiAnn Mills when I whined about not having enough time to write while also working a full-time job. So I did. I began a routine of beginning my day at 4:00 a.m. This gave me one-and-a-half hours of writing time every day. I would not have completed by my first novel without this advice. To this day, I still ensure I schedule time to write every day.  
  
I also shared this piece of writing advice from Dorothy Parker. “If you have any young friends who aspire to become writers, the second greatest favor you can do them is to present them with copies of The Elements of Style. The first greatest, of course, is to shoot them now, while they’re happy.”    
  
Then the person asked me, “What’s the worst piece of writing advice I ever received?    
  
“Write what you know.” I knew very little about the story that was in my heart when I began. I also knew very little about how to write a story.  
  
I quickly changed this to “Know what you write.” Learn the craft, research your story, research your genre. And realize learning is a process that will be part of you for your entire writing life. You can learn to be a good writer through conferences, critique groups, books, and magazines. Get involved with the writing community and be open to learning.  
  
My advice to aspiring writers: Writing is work. Treat it like your job. Do you only go to work when you feel inspired?

Here's something fun

Download this FREE PDF poster and hang it on your wall to remind yourself each day: YOU'VE GOT THIS!

William Faulkner is quoted as saying, “I only write when I’m inspired. Fortunately, I’m inspired at 9:00 a.m. every day.”

The following piece of advice regarding inspiration is attributed to Jack London, “You don’t wait for inspiration. You go after it with a club.”

Be professional in everything you do in writing. And enjoy it. Especially enjoy the serendipitous discoveries you’ll make about your characters and yourself as you craft your stories.  
  
What’s the best and worst writing advice you’ve ever received?