What do you want to tell the world about? Is there a story bouncing around in your head that's trying to get out? Is there a special topic that you're passionate about?
There is truth in the old adage: Write what you know. The problem is that the new and emerging writer takes that statement literally. May Sarton says:
"Anyone who is going to be a writer knows enough at 15 to write several novels."
You have a lifetime of experiences particular to you that provide you with fuel for a wealth of stories. You've had emotions that you need to grab hold of and place into your writing. You don't need to be a down and out doctor whose forced to confront his frustration and loss of control when he's required to perform emergency surgery in the outback in Australia. Heck, you may not know about doctoring or Australia. That stuff you can research but you do know about frustration, loss of control and facing those demons. You just give those feelings to your character. You write what you know. You write the emotions you know.
What do you want to write about today?
Join us at Fraser Valley Writers' School for one of our winter classes like Introduction to Creative Writing, Character Development, or The Writer's Toolbox. Our discounts for multiple class registration continue for the next few days.
Wednesday, 11 January 2012
Sunday, 8 January 2012
It's All About the Action
Dean R. Koontz knows the need for action in everyone's writing. He says:
"Authors of so-called 'literary fiction' insists that action, like plot, is vulgar and unworthy of a true artist. Don't pay any attention to misguided advice of that sort. If you do, you will very likely starve trying to live on your writing income. Besides, the only writers who survive the ages are those who understand the need for action in a novel."
No better advice for the emerging writer. I remember back to when I started to write seriously. One of the seasoned vets of my critique group took me aside to tell me that the wonderful description of my tower high on the mountain wasn't worth a damn unless I had a fiery airplane break through the sun-soaked clouds. Readers want action not pages and pages of description. Something needs to happen, some conflict needs to appear on each page of your story. Action is what we play in our heads as we visualize the words of the writer. As readers, we want to turn the words into action.
Find a way to put action and conflict on every page and you'll find success. Your story will interest your readers and they will keep coming back for more. As Dean Koontz says you'll never starve.
Posted by David Blinkhorn, Fraser Valley Writers School's instructor for Introduction to Creative Writing and The Writer's Toolbox
Join us for a class this winter and spring. Take your writing to the next level.
"Authors of so-called 'literary fiction' insists that action, like plot, is vulgar and unworthy of a true artist. Don't pay any attention to misguided advice of that sort. If you do, you will very likely starve trying to live on your writing income. Besides, the only writers who survive the ages are those who understand the need for action in a novel."
No better advice for the emerging writer. I remember back to when I started to write seriously. One of the seasoned vets of my critique group took me aside to tell me that the wonderful description of my tower high on the mountain wasn't worth a damn unless I had a fiery airplane break through the sun-soaked clouds. Readers want action not pages and pages of description. Something needs to happen, some conflict needs to appear on each page of your story. Action is what we play in our heads as we visualize the words of the writer. As readers, we want to turn the words into action.
Find a way to put action and conflict on every page and you'll find success. Your story will interest your readers and they will keep coming back for more. As Dean Koontz says you'll never starve.
Posted by David Blinkhorn, Fraser Valley Writers School's instructor for Introduction to Creative Writing and The Writer's Toolbox
Join us for a class this winter and spring. Take your writing to the next level.
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