Friday, November 27, 2009

So you think you can't write?



By Lonnie Cruse


Recently at lunch with a large group of women I was stopped in mid-bite by a lady who was asked a question about the many places she'd lived outside of the U.S. She began describing her life style while she lived in those various places. I was fascinated.


After she'd told us several interesting anecdotes about living overseas and raising a family while so far away from home, I suggested she write a book about it. If nothing else, for her four children, some of whom were too young to form memories of their own during the experiences. She said she wouldn't know where to begin. I told her to begin at the beginning, at the first paragraph. It might sound simplistic or smart-aleky, but I meant it, and someone else seconded my suggestion.


That's what it takes to write a book, simply beginning at the beginning. And that's true whether you are writing fiction or non-fiction. Get the idea in your head and start writing it down. Of course, using a computer is MUCH easier than using a pen or pencil. With the computer you can buzz along, and if you think of something you should have put between chapter three and chapter four, you simply go there and begin, or copy and paste if necessary. You can move whole paragraphs or entire chapters, if need be. Where was I? Yeah, beginning at the beginning.


Sometimes we have so many ideas in our heads, we don't know how we'll get them all down. So we panic. Other times we have the beginning of an idea and if we're lucky, the ending, but no clue how we'll fill the two to three hundred empty pages in between. So we panic. The trick is to just start writing. If you are afraid of forgetting something important, jot down some reminder words on a paper and keep the paper in a safe place. Then continue writing until you get to the point where you need those reminders. If you are afraid of running out of ideas, just start writing. Chances are good the rest of the story is hidden somewhere up high in your brain, just out of reach, like a high shelf. Or like the liquid in a funnel, unable to move down through the spout until the whatever is filling said spout drops out and the stuff on top can move down. You'll be amazed at how that happens.


You've gotten a good start, ideas are falling onto the page, now what? If you need help, line up your reminder words in order to see if that brings out more. Ask yourself questions. What really happened next, if you are writing non-fiction about your own or someone else's life. If you're writing fiction, what should happen to your characters next, logically? Then write it. And keep on writing it.


What about all those mistakes you'll make? Spelling, punctuation, typos, etc? AFTER you've finished the first draft, get someone who is also a writer or who understands the basics of writing to read it for you. Someone to help catch errors, ask questions if you've left gaps, or to get you to explain/clarify a cloudy issue. Then fix the errors, fill the gaps, and clarify any cloudy areas, because your readers WILL catch any unfixed errors, won't be able to fill in gaps for themselves, and won't be able to ask you any unanswered questions, and you don't want to leave them wondering. Just don't let your critiquer talk you into changing your style of writing to her style of writing or make you change your dream. This your story, fiction or non, tell it your way, within reason.


Once it's written, make it available to your target audience either by handing it over to the family if it's just for them, or submitting it to agents and/or publishers if you want the world to read it.

Don't tell yourself you can't write. You can write. Or you can learn how. There are tons of classes, locally and online available to you. Tell your story. The world wants to read good stories. Really.

16 comments:

Julia Buckley said...

Lonnie,
When I teach writing in high school, I ask each student in a survey if she considers herself a writer. It's surprising how many of them say "no," and I guess it's all in the various perceptions of what a writer is. Some people would say that only published writers can call themselves writers. Others would say that anyone who writes is a writer.

Lonnie Cruse said...

I'm with the second option, anyone who writes is a writer. Writing isn't easy, but it can be learned. And bless you for teaching our young folks!

Elizabeth Spann Craig said...

I think you're right--people can be overwhelmed by the idea of writing a book. But it's just a page at a time...

Elizabeth
Mystery Writing is Murder

Anonymous said...

Bemerkenswert, die nГјtzliche Mitteilung viagra f?r die frau 2010 levitra generika [url=http//t7-isis.org]viagra wirkungsdauer[/url]

Anonymous said...

:)) http://community.milwaukeemoms.com/members/Cialis-_2D00_-Canadian-Healthcare.aspx taking half a cialis, :gossip:, http://cciworldwide.org/members/Canadian-Healthcare.aspx prednisone lysodrene, :wink:

Anonymous said...

;-) http://community.milwaukeemoms.com/members/Cialis-_2D00_-Canadian-Healthcare.aspx india cialis, :shock:, http://cciworldwide.org/members/Canadian-Healthcare.aspx prednisone drug interactions, :confused:

Anonymous said...

http://Barbaneltik2.com

Anonymous said...

http://markonzo.edu codeine obese zyprexa fakultesi enayetullah zetia teodoro neurontin unavailing effected amoxil stresa

Anonymous said...

MANDY MOORE NUDE
[url=http://profiles.friendster.com/120699084]MANDY MOORE NUDE[/url]
MANDY MOORE NUDE
[url= http://profiles.friendster.com/120699084 ] MANDY MOORE NUDE [/url]
MARCIA CROSS NUDE
[url=http://profiles.friendster.com/120699102]MARCIA CROSS NUDE[/url]
MARCIA CROSS NUDE
[url= http://profiles.friendster.com/120699102 ] MARCIA CROSS NUDE [/url]
PAZ VEGA NUDE
[url=http://profiles.friendster.com/120699126]PAZ VEGA NUDE[/url]
PAZ VEGA NUDE
[url= http://profiles.friendster.com/120699126 ] PAZ VEGA NUDE [/url]
SOPHIE MONK NUDE
[url=http://profiles.friendster.com/120699166]SOPHIE MONK NUDE[/url]
SOPHIE MONK NUDE
[url= http://profiles.friendster.com/120699166 ] SOPHIE MONK NUDE [/url]
SOPHIA BUSH NUDE
[url=http://profiles.friendster.com/120699183]SOPHIA BUSH NUDE[/url]
SOPHIA BUSH NUDE
[url= http://profiles.friendster.com/120699183 ] SOPHIA BUSH NUDE [/url]

Anonymous said...

EMMA WATSON BREASTS
[url=http://my.curse.com/members/KRISTEEN6.aspx]EMMA WATSON BREASTS[/url]
EMMA WATSON BREASTS
[url= http://my.curse.com/members/KRISTEEN6.aspx ] EMMA WATSON BREASTS [/url]
SHAKIRA DESNUDA
[url=http://my.curse.com/members/KRISTEN2.aspx]SHAKIRA DESNUDA[/url]
SHAKIRA DESNUDA
[url= http://my.curse.com/members/KRISTEN2.aspx ] SHAKIRA DESNUDA [/url]
CELEBRITY SEXY TEETH
[url=http://my.curse.com/members/KRISTINA6.aspx]CELEBRITY SEXY TEETH[/url]
CELEBRITY SEXY TEETH
[url= http://my.curse.com/members/KRISTINA6.aspx ] CELEBRITY SEXY TEETH [/url]
LINDSAY LOHAN BREAST SLIP
[url=http://my.curse.com/members/KRISTY3.aspx]LINDSAY LOHAN BREAST SLIP[/url]
LINDSAY LOHAN BREAST SLIP
[url= http://my.curse.com/members/KRISTY3.aspx ] LINDSAY LOHAN BREAST SLIP [/url]
MENORES DESNUDAS
[url=http://my.curse.com/members/KRYSTAL5.aspx]MENORES DESNUDAS[/url]
MENORES DESNUDAS
[url= http://my.curse.com/members/KRYSTAL5.aspx ] MENORES DESNUDAS [/url]

Anonymous said...

SARAH SILVERMAN NUDE
[url=http://my.curse.com/members/LEONIA4.aspx]SARAH SILVERMAN NUDE[/url]
SARAH SILVERMAN NUDE
[url= http://my.curse.com/members/LEONIA4.aspx ] SARAH SILVERMAN NUDE [/url]
TAYLOR SWIFT NUDE
[url=http://my.curse.com/members/LEONILA4.aspx]TAYLOR SWIFT NUDE[/url]
TAYLOR SWIFT NUDE
[url= http://my.curse.com/members/LEONILA4.aspx ] TAYLOR SWIFT NUDE [/url]
PARIS HILTON IN BED
[url=http://my.curse.com/members/LEONORA4.aspx]PARIS HILTON IN BED[/url]
PARIS HILTON IN BED
[url= http://my.curse.com/members/LEONORA4.aspx ] PARIS HILTON IN BED [/url]
ELISHA CUTHBERT BIKINI
[url=http://my.curse.com/members/LEONTINE7.aspx]ELISHA CUTHBERT BIKINI[/url]
ELISHA CUTHBERT BIKINI
[url= http://my.curse.com/members/LEONTINE7.aspx ] ELISHA CUTHBERT BIKINI [/url]
HOT CELEBRITY PICS
[url=http://my.curse.com/members/LEOTA7.aspx]HOT CELEBRITY PICS[/url]
HOT CELEBRITY PICS
[url= http://my.curse.com/members/LEOTA7.aspx ] HOT CELEBRITY PICS [/url]

Anonymous said...

MEG RYAN NUDE
[url=http://videoexclg41.vidiLife.com]MEG RYAN NUDE[/url]
MEG RYAN NUDE
[url= http://videoexclg41.vidiLife.com ] MEG RYAN NUDE [/url]
RAVEN RILEY SEX
[url=http://videoexclg42.vidiLife.com]RAVEN RILEY SEX[/url]
RAVEN RILEY SEX
[url= http://videoexclg42.vidiLife.com ] RAVEN RILEY SEX [/url]
PARIS HILTON BLOW JOB
[url=http://videoexclg43.vidiLife.com]PARIS HILTON BLOW JOB[/url]
PARIS HILTON BLOW JOB
[url= http://videoexclg43.vidiLife.com ] PARIS HILTON BLOW JOB [/url]
ANNA FARIS NUDE
[url=http://videoexclg44.vidiLife.com]ANNA FARIS NUDE[/url]
ANNA FARIS NUDE
[url= http://videoexclg44.vidiLife.com ] ANNA FARIS NUDE [/url]
MARISA TOMEI NUDE
[url=http://videoexclg45.vidiLife.com]MARISA TOMEI NUDE[/url]
MARISA TOMEI NUDE
[url= http://videoexclg45.vidiLife.com ] MARISA TOMEI NUDE [/url]

Anonymous said...

HAYDEN PANETTIERE NAKED
[url=http://videoexclg56.vidiLife.com]HAYDEN PANETTIERE NAKED[/url]
HAYDEN PANETTIERE NAKED
[url= http://videoexclg56.vidiLife.com ] HAYDEN PANETTIERE NAKED [/url]
ANNE HATHAWAY NAKED
[url=http://videoexclg57.vidiLife.com]ANNE HATHAWAY NAKED[/url]
ANNE HATHAWAY NAKED
[url= http://videoexclg57.vidiLife.com ] ANNE HATHAWAY NAKED [/url]
ROSARIO DAWSON NUDE
[url=http://videoexclg58.vidiLife.com]ROSARIO DAWSON NUDE[/url]
ROSARIO DAWSON NUDE
[url= http://videoexclg58.vidiLife.com ] ROSARIO DAWSON NUDE [/url]
ADRIENNE BAILON NUDE
[url=http://videoexclg59.vidiLife.com]ADRIENNE BAILON NUDE[/url]
ADRIENNE BAILON NUDE
[url= http://videoexclg59.vidiLife.com ] ADRIENNE BAILON NUDE [/url]
KIM KARDASHIAN PORN
[url=http://videoexclg60.vidiLife.com]KIM KARDASHIAN PORN[/url]
KIM KARDASHIAN PORN
[url= http://videoexclg60.vidiLife.com ] KIM KARDASHIAN PORN [/url]

Anonymous said...

MELANIA KNAUSS NUDE
[url=http://my.curse.com/members/LETITIA3.aspx]MELANIA KNAUSS NUDE[/url]
MELANIA KNAUSS NUDE
[url= http://my.curse.com/members/LETITIA3.aspx ] MELANIA KNAUSS NUDE [/url]
DAVEIGH CHASE NUDE
[url=http://my.curse.com/members/LETTY4.aspx]DAVEIGH CHASE NUDE[/url]
DAVEIGH CHASE NUDE
[url= http://my.curse.com/members/LETTY4.aspx ] DAVEIGH CHASE NUDE [/url]
ANGELA LINDVALL NUDE
[url=http://my.curse.com/members/LEXIE3.aspx]ANGELA LINDVALL NUDE[/url]
ANGELA LINDVALL NUDE
[url= http://my.curse.com/members/LEXIE3.aspx ] ANGELA LINDVALL NUDE [/url]
PAGET BREWSTER NUDE
[url=http://my.curse.com/members/LIANNE3.aspx]PAGET BREWSTER NUDE[/url]
PAGET BREWSTER NUDE
[url= http://my.curse.com/members/LIANNE3.aspx ] PAGET BREWSTER NUDE [/url]
REBECCA GAYHEART NUDE
[url=http://my.curse.com/members/LIBBY7.aspx]REBECCA GAYHEART NUDE[/url]
REBECCA GAYHEART NUDE
[url= http://my.curse.com/members/LIBBY7.aspx ] REBECCA GAYHEART NUDE [/url]

Anonymous said...

NATALIE IMBRUGLIA NUDE
[url=http://my.curse.com/members/LILLIAM1.aspx]NATALIE IMBRUGLIA NUDE[/url]
NATALIE IMBRUGLIA NUDE
[url= http://my.curse.com/members/LILLIAM1.aspx ] NATALIE IMBRUGLIA NUDE [/url]
STEPHANIE SEYMOUR NUDE
[url=http://my.curse.com/members/LILLIANA1.aspx]STEPHANIE SEYMOUR NUDE[/url]
STEPHANIE SEYMOUR NUDE
[url= http://my.curse.com/members/LILLIANA1.aspx ] STEPHANIE SEYMOUR NUDE [/url]
HELENA CHRISTENSEN NUDE
[url=http://my.curse.com/members/LINDSEY4.aspx]HELENA CHRISTENSEN NUDE[/url]
HELENA CHRISTENSEN NUDE
[url= http://my.curse.com/members/LINDSEY4.aspx ] HELENA CHRISTENSEN NUDE [/url]
BIJOU PHILLIPS NUDE
[url=http://my.curse.com/members/LINETTE6.aspx]BIJOU PHILLIPS NUDE[/url]
BIJOU PHILLIPS NUDE
[url= http://my.curse.com/members/LINETTE6.aspx ] BIJOU PHILLIPS NUDE [/url]
MACKENZIE ROSMAN NUDE
[url=http://my.curse.com/members/LINNEA2.aspx]MACKENZIE ROSMAN NUDE[/url]
MACKENZIE ROSMAN NUDE
[url= http://my.curse.com/members/LINNEA2.aspx ] MACKENZIE ROSMAN NUDE [/url]

Anonymous said...

TONI BRAXTON NUDE
[url=http://my.curse.com/members/LISABETH.aspx]TONI BRAXTON NUDE[/url]
TONI BRAXTON NUDE
[url= http://my.curse.com/members/LISABETH.aspx ] TONI BRAXTON NUDE [/url]
ZOE KRAVITZ NUDE
[url=http://my.curse.com/members/LISANDRA1.aspx]ZOE KRAVITZ NUDE[/url]
ZOE KRAVITZ NUDE
[url= http://my.curse.com/members/LISANDRA1.aspx ] ZOE KRAVITZ NUDE [/url]
GINA GERSHON NUDE
[url=http://my.curse.com/members/LISETTE1.aspx]GINA GERSHON NUDE[/url]
GINA GERSHON NUDE
[url= http://my.curse.com/members/LISETTE1.aspx ] GINA GERSHON NUDE [/url]
ABBIE CORNISH NUDE
[url=http://my.curse.com/members/LISSETTE2.aspx]ABBIE CORNISH NUDE[/url]
ABBIE CORNISH NUDE
[url= http://my.curse.com/members/LISSETTE2.aspx ] ABBIE CORNISH NUDE [/url]
PENNY LANCASTER NUDE
[url=http://my.curse.com/members/LIZZETTE.aspx]PENNY LANCASTER NUDE[/url]
PENNY LANCASTER NUDE
[url= http://my.curse.com/members/LIZZETTE.aspx ] PENNY LANCASTER NUDE [/url]