Yesterday, I re-blogged a post from Roz Morris—Three Paradoxes of the Writing Life. 
Today, I’m going to comment on those paradoxes…
First, though, let me tell you a bit about Roz:
She’s an extremely successful Ghostwriter.
She’s written three excellent books about writing.
She’s written two fantastic works of fiction.
She’s available for Speaking and Tutoring.
She’s a Book Doctor.
She has her own Radio Show.
I’ve Re-blogged her numerous times.
And, I’ve written about her before…
So, let’s get back to Roz’s blog post—Three Paradoxes of the Writing Life.
Obviously, I recommend you actually take that link and read her post first.
Then, my ruminations about the paradoxes she raises may make more sense…
Back so soon…?
Actually, I know most of you never left—that’s totally cool—plus, her post has many links to other posts she’s written—very helpful for gaining knowledge but it will take a bit of time to read them all—though, I am comforted that there are other folks out there, like me, who do lots of internal linking :-)
O.K., I’ll lay out the paradoxes Roz wrote about and see what I can glean from my experience…
1. “We must produce, but never rush.”
For many years, I thought about writing, thought I might be somewhat good at it, thought that when Life stopped yanking me around I’d make a go of it…
I began serious writing in my late 50s…
Since then (I’m nearly 70 now…), I’ve written and published 5 books; but, I’ve had three blogs before this one; and, this one has over 1,300 posts (that’s somewhere around 500,000 words just in this blog…).
I suppose I’ve nailed that “never rush” part—started late, have no definitive schedules, willing to wait till my Muse screams at me…
Still, I hope for about 20 more years so I can be even more productive; and, the advancing years will nearly guarantee I don’t “rush” :-)
One more word about Production:
Unless you want to be sucked down a miserable materialistic hell-hole, resist the urge to write the way and publish at the speed most of the “experts” tell you to.
Well…
If you really want to produce work that folks can read swiftly, that won’t rock their boat at all, and that will soon be completely forgotten, go ahead; but, hang on tight when that hell-hole starts sucking…
2. “We learn from others, but teach ourselves.”
I think that learning from others first means a writer had better read as many of the books of as many “good” writers as possible.
Defining “good” depends on the kind of writing you want to do; but, if you’re not yet sure what kind of writing you need to pursue, my advice is to read the “Classics” (ancient and modern) and read authors that you think write well…
Obviously, as you progress in your reading/learning, your conception of what’s well-written will change…
Still, reading a massive amount of books isn’t, by far, the only way a writer learns from others—just wake up, get dressed, and walk down the street; or, wake up, and start watching YouTube—Life activities should be learning experiences (except for those who aspire toward severe depression…).
“teach ourselves”?
For me this is simple:
You sit down and write something—anything…
Perhaps you then get up and do a few chores…
You sit back down and read what you wrote and, perhaps, change it…
If you really get into a stint of writing, you may have to do a bit of research…
Just be sure to sit back down and incorporate the research into what you’ve already written…
Keep this kind of activity up for prolonged periods and you just might become a good writer.
I can’t help but say, though, that a particularly good way to learn from someone else while teaching yourself would be to study Roz Morris’ books about writing.
3. “We make our own rules but recognise when we’re wrong.”
Obviously, if you’re just starting out as a writer, you may have a very small kit of “rules”; and, I certainly hope you haven’t “borrowed” those “rules” from the ever-present and exceedingly pushy “WebWritingExperts”…
Crafting a story may be relatively easy—crafting your own endurable rules of writing is a labor of love.
If you’re intent on nailing down some rules for yourself, try starting by making sure you’re somewhat clear about Why you want to write…
Hows are meaningless without Whys.
But, even my own all-time fav fiction writer, C. J. Cherryh, finished her short set of “rules” with, NO RULE SHOULD BE FOLLOWED OFF A CLIFF…
So, there are a few of my thoughts on those writing paradoxes.
Now, I heartily encourage you to go read Roz…
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Read Some Strange Fantasies
Grab A Free Novel…
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
For Private Comments or Questions, Email: amzolt {at} gmail {dot} com
Go Ahead, Share This Post:
Like this:
Like Loading...
World News
Notes from An Alien 