Firstly, it's nice having people that read and comment the blog. Thank you to all that do. I apologize I'm not more consistent. I don't like to post unless I feel like I have something to say that has substance, and I'm lazy.
Now to the post . . .
One of the most common things you'll hear said about the art of writing is that it's a solitary act. You'll spend hours, days, nights, weeks, months, and years by yourself. You'll spend that time alone dreaming, imagining, creating, and crafting stories. The craft requires that. As a writer you need that time alone.
What does not need to happen is that you drift from the main land, and become an island unto yourself.
I've been thinking about that for the past few days and weeks. I have a tendency to be a loner. I've been so since I was a kid. Personally, I'd prefer to spend time to myself. It has nothing to do with people, but I know how to entertain myself better than anyone I know. (Except for my wife. She knows me pretty well.)
What I've pondered more than anything else is this: What kind of people do writers need in their lives? I think there are a number of different types of people we need, but I think I've narrowed it down to the three most important.
Here we go:
1. A spouse or partner who believes in your art.
Ursula Le Guin was once quoted:
However, my wife believes in my dream of becoming a published author as much - sometimes more - than I do. It's an encouraging thing. We don't have the same tastes in literature but I know that I can sit and tell her my story ideas, and she's genuinely interested. She's also objective and offers great advice. If she didn't believe in my dream so much this journey would be much more discouraging than it can already be. Being married to a woman who would rather me give up my imaginary worlds to become a pencil pusher is a horrifying thought. A guy I work with tells me daily to go to college, get a business degree, and make the dollar bills. I don't need that at home. I need someone who will help me incubate my dreams.
2. Friends who will be there throughout the journey.
I wish I had more friends interested in my stories. I wish I had more people I could talk to about the art of writing, my favorite books, and my favorite authors. Most of the people I know are more interested in finding a job where they can earn a big paycheck to pay their bills. That's understandable. I'm someone who needs to talk about my stories. I need to tell someone about my new ideas, and the new things I've written. I can't be like Stephen King and keep what I'm working on a secret. I need someone to listen. I need friends who will be just as excited as I am about my stories.
Thankfully I'm not alone. I can always count on Derik Hefner to lend me an ear. We don't talk as much as I would like us to, but our emails and other forms of conversation are always fruitful. Recently we exchanged a series of emails about the latest story I've been working on. I was having some trouble working through an idea. I submitted this to Derik and received an email with his ideas of how to solve my problem. I thought about it for a day and a half and then replied. His response has stuck with me for weeks now. It was a short sentence. Only four words. But he did so much for me. He said, "OMG that is so awesome!!!" Every writer - no matter who they are - needs that kind of encouragement.
3. Every writer needs authors, they can read, who gets their creative juices flowing.
Every writer's taste is different. That doesn't really matter. What does matter is that they can run to these authors they love, crack open their novels, and read. While reading ideas spring to life. Moments of zing spring forth from their imaginations, and new stories arise. Characters are and birthed out of these moments of enjoyment. Presently I'm reading George R.R. Martin's series, "A Song of Ice and Fire." I've never had such an enjoyable reading experience since I read Robert Jordan's "The Wheel of Time."
Whenever I get frustrated, and my writing starts to suffer, I pick up books by my favorite authors and spend a few moments with them. I always leave better and encouraged. Whoever sets you on fire for the art is who you need to run to when your wood is wet.
Finally, I'd like to share a song with you. It's what inspired this blog. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did. Without further ado . . . Joe Cocker performing "With a Little Help From My Friends" at Woodstock '69.
Now to the post . . .
One of the most common things you'll hear said about the art of writing is that it's a solitary act. You'll spend hours, days, nights, weeks, months, and years by yourself. You'll spend that time alone dreaming, imagining, creating, and crafting stories. The craft requires that. As a writer you need that time alone.
What does not need to happen is that you drift from the main land, and become an island unto yourself.
I've been thinking about that for the past few days and weeks. I have a tendency to be a loner. I've been so since I was a kid. Personally, I'd prefer to spend time to myself. It has nothing to do with people, but I know how to entertain myself better than anyone I know. (Except for my wife. She knows me pretty well.)
What I've pondered more than anything else is this: What kind of people do writers need in their lives? I think there are a number of different types of people we need, but I think I've narrowed it down to the three most important.
Here we go:
1. A spouse or partner who believes in your art.
Ursula Le Guin was once quoted:
If you want your writing to be taken seriously, don't marry and have kids, and above all, don't die. But if you have to die, commit suicide. They approve of that.Why would the Mother of Fantasy say not to marry or have kids? I believe she said so because when you do either of these two things you're giving your life and time up for another. I've been married for two years. I devote many hours to my wife. There are times when I would like to be writing that I spend with her instead. With jobs and school we don't get to see one another much. Therefore, I'll spend whatever time I can with her.
However, my wife believes in my dream of becoming a published author as much - sometimes more - than I do. It's an encouraging thing. We don't have the same tastes in literature but I know that I can sit and tell her my story ideas, and she's genuinely interested. She's also objective and offers great advice. If she didn't believe in my dream so much this journey would be much more discouraging than it can already be. Being married to a woman who would rather me give up my imaginary worlds to become a pencil pusher is a horrifying thought. A guy I work with tells me daily to go to college, get a business degree, and make the dollar bills. I don't need that at home. I need someone who will help me incubate my dreams.
2. Friends who will be there throughout the journey.
I wish I had more friends interested in my stories. I wish I had more people I could talk to about the art of writing, my favorite books, and my favorite authors. Most of the people I know are more interested in finding a job where they can earn a big paycheck to pay their bills. That's understandable. I'm someone who needs to talk about my stories. I need to tell someone about my new ideas, and the new things I've written. I can't be like Stephen King and keep what I'm working on a secret. I need someone to listen. I need friends who will be just as excited as I am about my stories.
Thankfully I'm not alone. I can always count on Derik Hefner to lend me an ear. We don't talk as much as I would like us to, but our emails and other forms of conversation are always fruitful. Recently we exchanged a series of emails about the latest story I've been working on. I was having some trouble working through an idea. I submitted this to Derik and received an email with his ideas of how to solve my problem. I thought about it for a day and a half and then replied. His response has stuck with me for weeks now. It was a short sentence. Only four words. But he did so much for me. He said, "OMG that is so awesome!!!" Every writer - no matter who they are - needs that kind of encouragement.
3. Every writer needs authors, they can read, who gets their creative juices flowing.
Every writer's taste is different. That doesn't really matter. What does matter is that they can run to these authors they love, crack open their novels, and read. While reading ideas spring to life. Moments of zing spring forth from their imaginations, and new stories arise. Characters are and birthed out of these moments of enjoyment. Presently I'm reading George R.R. Martin's series, "A Song of Ice and Fire." I've never had such an enjoyable reading experience since I read Robert Jordan's "The Wheel of Time."
Whenever I get frustrated, and my writing starts to suffer, I pick up books by my favorite authors and spend a few moments with them. I always leave better and encouraged. Whoever sets you on fire for the art is who you need to run to when your wood is wet.
Finally, I'd like to share a song with you. It's what inspired this blog. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did. Without further ado . . . Joe Cocker performing "With a Little Help From My Friends" at Woodstock '69.
