5 Writing Tips From ‘The Handmaid’s Tale’ Author Margaret Atwood

It’s kind of crazy we’re seven years into The Handmaid’s Tale on Hulu. As it enters its final season, I was looking back at how Margaret Atwood’s 1985 book spawned such a successful series.

Well, the answer is just that she wrote a book about a world people wanted to explore, even if it was demented and oddly prescient.

But outside of her most famous work, Margaret Atwood is a legendary and prolific author who has been at the top of her game for years. I love her short stories, I love her characters, and I think she’s great.

So when I saw a YouTube video of her giving some writing advice, I thought I should bring it to you.

Let’s dive in.

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5 Writing Tips From Margaret Atwood

In the above video, acclaimed author Margaret Atwood shares insights into her journey as a writer, her process, and the enduring themes of her work.

Whether you’re an aspiring writer or simply a fan of her thought-provoking narratives, Atwood’s wisdom offers valuable takeaways.

So let’s look at her top five.

1. Keep a Notebook

I cannot emphasize this enough. Go to paper first. Write it down. Feel the ideas. And give yourself the ability to capture ideas as they come. Take a little book whether you are, keep a pen by your bed. Write it down, let the ideas flow.

2. Read Widely & Critically

This is one I am guilty of and one I am working on. If you want to be a writer, you have to read. You should see the prose out there, and read the screenplays (including these Handmaid’s Tale scripts). Think about them and think about what makes them work and not. Read the bad, the good, and everything in between.

3. Mind Your Posture

My back hurts. Currently, I am writing this article on my well-worn couch. I need to be better. We all need to be better. Writing shouldn’t be physically painful, but for many of us, our posture is a problem. If you work on that, you can work longer.

4. Beat Writer’s Block

Writer’s block is the most popular topic of emails I get, besides hate mail. To attack this stuff you need to actually just stop writing. Take a walk or sleep on it. Get out in the world and live your life. But when you feel refreshed, go back and write. Write through it. Write the bad pages. Don’t let it stop you from typing, just push yourself through it. Let nothing be in the way of your story.

5. Embrace Freedom

You are the boss. When it’s just a spec, no one can tell you what to write about or how the story should go. If you have an idea, chase it. If you hate it, toss it. Don’t fear discarding material; you’re in control. No one will ever see all the docs I have half-done. But to finish a story, I need to play with a bunch of ideas. I need the freedom to express the weird and the stupid, and only then will I find the ones that can sell. I have that, so why not embrace it?

Summing It All Up

I love listening to famous authors give writing advice because I think they approach their craft in such interesting ways. There’s always overlap with screenwriters, and we should listen to anyone who is generous enough to help.

Let me know what you think in the comments.