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Did You Write It Down?
Another Nanowrimo is coming to an end, that’s the national novel writing month, were you a part of it this year? I typically spend the month blogging about writing, I didn’t this year, partially because I was writing. However I wanted to take a moment and speak to those who desire to write. Are you interested in writing? Perhaps you’ve lost the passion to write your story, or are just facing obstacles completing it? If you are struggling with writing I have a few suggestions for you. The first and most important is that you are not alone. Many of us fought for years to complete our first book, it…
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A Few Tips On How To Tell A Story
A few tips on how to tell a story. Whether it’s your life story, a news story, or a story from your imagination, there are some tips that make it more easily conveyed. Please consider, I did not say that makes it better. The difference is that a story doesn’t have to be told brilliantly, to be understood. In a perfect world, both would be true. In the real world a story could be great, and not communicated in a way that the listener or reader can comprehend. Often, a story that is anything from good, such as a tragedy, can be communicated well. First I would suggest to use…
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People Do Use Typewriters
People don’t use typewriters anymore. That statement may be commonly believed, but it’s actually not true. If at least two people use them, people do use typewriters. I just read an article about a man who uses typewriters to literally type out portraits, and sent one to Tom Hanks. Hanks, a typewriter enthusiast which regularly types out thank you notes, typed back. People do use typewriters. Similarly, many people believe the following phrase, I can’t write a book. If one person has written a book then, just like you, one person who can write a book. If they can, you can too. I know, I’ve written over thirty on Amazon.…
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Writing What You Know, Writing What You Research
Know that you know what you want to write about, your writing idea, it’s time to ask a few more questions. The first is a researching, and not a challenging question. I say this because, as I said before, you don’t have to know everything about a subject, to know something about a subject. In that mindset, what do you know about the subject. For example, in my most passionate column are my faith, my family, friends, writing, and art. However, I’m just a parent of a three year old so my knowledge about parenting is minimal. That is not to say that other parents of toddlers can not write…
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Finding Your Writing Idea
I would like to talk to you about finding your writing idea, but first I’d like to introduce you to someone. He was called The Human Joke Machine, Maury Amsterdam could come up with a joke almost instantly. Though most people know him from the Dick Van Dyke Show, he had a full career. Maury began as a straight man to his brother’s routine, which explains his wonderful comedy timing. In comedy a straight man is vital, because they understand timing. While a brilliant comedian, Maury was also a savvy businessman in the business side of show business, and the stock market. He also was a skilled cellist, along with…
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Before You Share Your Story
I say before you tell your story, because all of us have a story to tell. Each of them are different in some way, all of us are unique. We may share some experiences, but we also share differences, ones that can help others. I have seven questions for you, before you tell your story. 1. What would writing your story do for you? How would sharing what you know, be a blessing to you? What areas do you see it would be beneficial or add value to your life? 2. What would writing your story do for others? How would sharing what you know, be a blessing to others?…
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Your Writing System
If you know me, there is a running theme that fascinates me, those who are so talented, they pursue two passions very successfully. Many have heard me write about Tony Bennett, but today I would like to share another person who was instrumental in my writing and painting. He is a man I’ve never met, his name is Richard Skelton, known to the world as Red. In his lifetime, he wrote 8,000 songs, 64 symphonies, 4,000 short stories, as well as multiple books. He was an artist as well as a writer, earning roughly 2.5 million a year from his lithographs. At the time of his death, his paintings were…
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Writing Methods
Method is defined as a procedure, technique, or system. Whether it’s a daily routine, a technique you begin with, or a system that you have set up, your writing method can help you to be successful. Think of a method as a writing habit. Just as a habit can be instrumental in changing your life, a writing method can transform your writing. As with a habit, a writing method can take many forms, and apply to a broad spectrum of people. One of the most successful methods I have seen is to write daily. This practice engages your mind, builds your writing muscle, and furthers your writing goals. An advanced…
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What Type Of Writer Are You?
There are numerous types of writers out there, understanding a few of them may help determine which you are, or would like to be. When I say type, in this instance, I’m not referring to genre. I’m speaking more to the mindset of the writer, and the methods they may use. There is the topical writer. Someone who is inspired to write about current events, and to support a point of view. These writers are on a timetable defined by the topic and corresponding events surrounding them. The urgency of the topic helps to engage them into completing their writing project. Another type of writer is the passionate writer. This…
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How To Write A Book – 7 Steps To Completing Your Story
That title comes with a big promise, and rather than fill this with abstract notions, I want to provide you with seven concrete steps to writing your book. The first step is easy but vital. You have to want to write a book more than the obstacles that stand in your way, because there will be a number of them. The second step is to start with an idea, and it doesn’t have to be a great one. It just has to be an idea that you are passionate about. Most rough drafts aren’t great, they become great in rewriting and editing. The idea also doesn’t have to be completely…
