Photo Credit: mpclemens/Creative Commons
When I first started writing, I used anything I could get my hands on–tablets, stationery, legal pads, almost anything would do. It was a big day when I graduated to a typewriter. Then a word processor. Then a computer. I had arrived! I was finally going to be a real writer! Squeee!
Ahhh
If only…
If only there’d been Writing 101 waaayyy back when. Something beyond the standard HOW TO craft books. Something beyond the run-of-the-mill “Here’s How I Did it and You Can, Too!” sorts of primers.
Honestly, something from the Writer’s School of Hard Knocks would have been more beneficial to me at the time. But alas, real meat and potatoes Advice for Writers types of books (the kind with the nuts and bolts of what the real writing life entailed) were few and far between 20+ years ago.
Much of what existed back then either (A) played down the hardships endured and glamorized the writing process entirely too much OR (B) expounded on the whys and wherefores of writing in a cold, analytical fashion.
Maybe I just read the wrong books, but what I really wanted and longed for was some straight, shoot-from-the-hip “Here’s What I Tried and Why YOU Shouldn’t.” OR “Writing: The Real Nitty Gritty of What Keeps Writers Up at Night–and It’s Not Romance.”
Of course, it was a vastly different publishing arena during that era, and too, it was prior to the economic downturn. The creative process wasn’t easier necessarily, but mindsets seemed calmer.
I always wanted to rush the process. And I wanted to glean whatever tidbits I could from real folks who ‘d tried and failed, but eventually, succeeded. Surely, there was something out there for beginning writers that offered what I needed.
Wow.
If only…
If only the internet was then what it is today.
Today, all kinds of advice abounds. Some good. Lots bad. And a little in between. It’s up to us to educate ourselves and not take all writing advice as Gospel. (Read literary agent Janet Grant’s fantastic words of wisdom on that.)
Here at my blogging home, I envision us sitting down to chat over a cup of coffee and a scone. (Or chocolate. Or pie. Or…maybe…chocolate pie!) I offer encouragement for writers, as well as other friends who need uplifting. I tell stories. I talk about the Ozarks. I share some insights that I’ve learned myself during my own writing journey.
I’m not an expert. I’m not the be-all-end-all authority on what to do and what not to do. Far from it! I’m just a simple, Jesus-loving gal who wants to shed some light on this crazy, wonderful (and oh sooo difficult at times) trek to Pub-land. (As in “published.” Not the local beer joint.)
Because of school, a career, raising a baby (and having another one later in life), family crises—which I’ve talked about before, and other various life events, I had to place writing on the back burner for a season. A few years ago, I was able to jump back in. It was either sink or swim. I learned a lot has changed.
And I discovered some constants, too.
- Write. Without doing it, not a whole lot can happen. Writers must be consistent (write regularly), conscientious (value time and set boundaries), and goal-oriented (no room for lazyitis.) Sundays, holidays, vacations, or family time are my exceptions to the rule.
- Revise. First, get the words down. Let it out. Tell the story. Then edit. Ask our critique partners to edit. Edit some more. And yes…when we think we’re done…our critique partners and agents say, “More!” And so, we give them more.
- Repeat. Writing is a process. A fun, but super-intense, process. Certain aspects along the journey become easier. Others, more complicated. Like anything worthwhile. And this is the mode that is possibly the most difficult. It’s something we do forever as we grow in our craft.
Pressing on with you as we take this journey together.
Onward and upward!
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What have YOU gleaned during your creative journey?
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Photo Credit: mpclemens/Creative Commons
Have a super weekend!
Blessings Always,
Comments 8
Such an encourager, thank you.
Author
Lisa, delighted! Have a super-blessed weekend and Happy Writing!
A lovely, encouraging post!
When I was a teenager I thought I would be a writer. It took an additional three decades for that to happen, and it only happened after a couple of other careers.
I’ve never really paid much attention to Advice. I don’t really have the patience for either the pretentiousness of the ‘glamour’ or the prissiness of the technicians.
Writing isn’t glamorous, and those who ape the “writer image” from the media come across as poseurs. It also isn’t the reserved domain of university eggheads who’ve studied the infinitesimal to infinite depth.(I used to be an academic, so I get to say that.)
Just tell the story to a friend sitting on the next stool at the pub. If his attention starts to wander you’re using too many words. If he looks puzzled you’re using too few, or they’ve got too many syllables.
See? It’s easy.
Author
Oh, Andrew, how you made me laugh today! (In a good way!) You know, I’ve never been pretentious, and I’m so glad! There’s something so freeing about just being ourselves. I believe it does come across in our writing and in ways other folks relate to us. And age, I’ve found, is relative.
Great, insightful comment! Happy writing!
How different it is to do research now. That’s a great benefit the early writers didn’t have. Now there’s almost too much information to bog us down. Andrew is correct, just write!
Author
Patti, yes! That’s key.
There’s the “real world” of writing — the write, revise, repeat world.
And then there’s the inner world — and how God uses all of this to change me … revealing both strengths and weaknesses. Stories worth telling, and the ones best left untold.
Author
Beth, such wisdom in your comment. I remember my Nana often said… “Some secrets (stories) will follow me to my grave.” And they did.