Two quotes come to mind when I think about this weeks topic. The first "if you wish to be a writer, write" is a simple one, but it carries enough implications to write a book with.
It was a quote by Epictetus a Greek philosopher, and it points to a huge problem in the writers world. Apparently one that’s been around for awhile since the ancient Greeks were talking about it
The fact is that writing has no quick fix, simply put the only way to get it done is to do it. It takes years for a normal person to write a novel, the best in the world take months, but no one can bang out a full-length novel in a couple of hours. (Those of you who wish to try need to pay attention to the second quote, but that's for later).
It's just a fact of life, the sun rises and falls, gravity never fails, and it takes a long time to type 125,000 words. The point I want to make is that people seem to forget that.
The inclination to write is a romantic one, sprinkled with fantasies of putting out bestsellers from the sandy beaches of the Bahamas, or from a villa overlooking your vineyard right outside of Rome. It grows even larger when you realize you have an exciting idea, and that your idea is better than emo vampires who sparkle, or nerdy middle school wizards. So the conclusion is an obvious one, you'll be rich and famous in no time. Might as well start yacht shopping.
All this is well and good, but then you meet this terrible villain named reality. He has weasled his way into your autobiography (which btw is also destined for the bestsellers list) and is hiding somewhere between picking out the director for your first adapted novel, and you typing your first complete paragraph.
I know, I know, the sarcasm is strong with this one. I'm beating a dead-horse here, I just hope it's entertaining enough for you to keep reading, because the point I am making is a good one.
The reality is that precious few of your dreams are going to come true, very few indeed. That is not said in an effort to dissuade you however, if anything it should encourage you. If writing was the glamorous life we all dream that it should be, then there would be more books written than there are people to read them.
That is encouraging because it acts as a filter, a filter for people who do not have what it takes to make it in this industry. I have heard stories of people that wrote for 10-15 years before someone looked at their manuscript. 15 years???? That's insane! Could you give up that many years of evenings or weekends? Remember I'm five years in myself, and I hope I don't have to wait another ten.
If you really, truly, love to write than consider the fact that it is not glamorous, it is tedious. It is not a get rich quick thing, you'll probably have more luck in Amway. And your going to need to give up time, lots of it. So if I accomplish anything with this chapter, I hope it will help you consider the cost of being a writer. If that cost is too expensive, then get out now, You'll thank yourself later! If these words get you excited to 'strike a prose', then get to it!
That is my whole point here, Just write! I have talked to too many people that want to live the life but don't want to cover the tab. If you want to be a writer, and you haven't started writing yet, then stop reading this, go get your instrument, and start laying down the ink.
Start by writing down your idea, then create a character, it could be an antagonist, or a protagonist, doesn't matter. Perhaps you want to be the next Robert Jordan, then start world building. The next Stephen King? Start facing your fears.
You get to decide what kind of story you write! And the greatest part is that it's fiction!! That gives you permission to do whatever you want. Your characters can go anywhere, say anything, see everything, be anybody. When you start to think along those lines you'll quickly realize 125,000 words might not be enough.
Sadly I have gone on too long to discuss the second of the two quotes, I'll cover that one next week. Hopefully I won't be so long winded. Anyways I hope this rant was encouraging, or at the very least entertaining.
Practical advice:
Since I entitled this weeks chapter 'Just Write', I thought it appropriate to give practical advice along those lines.
Just read.
Clever isn't it? Also completely true. The best way to figure out how to write well is to read often. Take the things you see working for others, and find a way to apply it to your own works. Now I want you to understand I'm not talking about copying someone's work, I'm talking about getting a general idea of how a good book looks and feels so you can make yours do the same.
A good writer must be a good reader. I will step out on a limb and say you cannot be a good writer if you're not a good reader. In my opinion it's that important.
It's also a great way to learn different writing styles. Don't just pick one particular genre of book and only read it. You have to diversify. I once read a Janet Evonavich book. I'm not lying!! I really did it, and I read the whole thing. She has had enough books on top of the list that I found it necessary to at least see what she is doing. In my defense I had just finished some H.P. Lovecraft short stories, and was in-between good reads, so it fit into my schedule. She actually did quite a few things that I hope to someday be a good enough writer to pull off. You don't achieve the success she has without doing pretty much everything right. And I would not have gotten a grasp on some of those things if I hadn't read her book.
When you read, pay special attention to characters. I play a little game with myself, I pick a character and try to guess how their character arc advances in the story before it happens. Keep a very close eye on how the author advances his/her plot as well. If you can't advance your own plot in a way that is exciting and interesting, how do you expect others to want to read it? Would you finish a book you find boring?
I'm reading 'The Green Mile' by Stephen King (great book) and he makes two references to a shoe that seem small and insignificant, but the shoe plays a very important role in furthering the plot. Ask yourself if there is some area in your story that you can find a place for something like that as well.
In closing you gain much from immersing yourself in fiction. Most notably you learn about the type of fiction you want to write, but don't limit yourself though. It sure beats watching TV.
'Til next time...
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