Well I'm on day 2 of my quest to just to write, write and write some more and have got about 1200 words into a little short story which I'm quite enjoying (I may or may not post it at some stage depending on how brave I get!).
One of the things that has become apparent to me over the years of attempting to write is that I come up with great opening paragraphs, I know how to get people hooked into a story but then it often fizzles out as I don't really know where to go with it. One of the ways of the suggested ways of combatting this is to write the end first, or write the middle first so I know where to fill in the blanks. Good idea.
So I am now considering writing the ending of my story so I know where its headed, but as with all stories there are a number of potential outcomes. One of the reasons I love childrens novels is the simplicity of them, more often than not all of the themes are tied up by the end of the book, usually happy. Good tends to win over evil, and you know exactly where you are leaving the characters - usually happy, fufilled, safe and loved. I get a great deal of satisfaction from these kinds of stories, I like it when everything turns out right.
I do find "grown-up" books (and films) can often leave things unresolved or with an un-happy ending, all very artistic and cultured and probably a bit more realistic I'm sure, but it leaves me feeling a bit cheated.
I think books/films/stories are meant to be an escape from daily life. Some people like to be frightened, some like to be titilated and others like to be made to laugh or cry but I think the common denominator is looking for adventure or fantasy within the comfort of our own homes. And although I enjoy the sad or confusing moments during the story, I really don't enjoy being left confused or sad at the end of it. It kind of negates the whole point of reading in the first place. I like to be left with that warm fuzzy feeling that you get from a nice happy ending!
This is what I like, but if I were to spend all my time writing just what I want to read I may end up with little or no audience! So in trying to get some insight into the kind of things real people want to read, I'd like to invite you to comment on what kind of ending you like? Happy or sad, resolved or unresolved? If you feel you don't want to elaborate, one word answers is fine. Although elaboration is also very welcome! This might help me decide on what ending I should use for my story.
And also I'd just like to say thank you to everyone who has read my first post and been so supportive on FB, I really hope you will continue to follow me (you can click become a follower to the right of this page). xxx
Friday, 4 February 2011
Thursday, 3 February 2011
Eeeeek!
Ok so that's probably not a very creative start for a so called "creative writer" but you gotta start somewhere. I wonder how many people's blogs have started with that very title? Millions, I expect.
OK so I've decided its now or never. Shit or bust. I either get on and become a writer or a shut up about it and go and work in an office or something, do whats expected of me, a responsible 'wife' and mother. I've always had this dream, it's time to live it or put the whole thing to rest and get on with my life. Thing is I just hate waste. And I can't help but think I'm a big old bag of wasted potential. So this blog is going to be about my journey of striving to become a real, proper, legitimate writer.
I've always love to write. I used to write little books as a child and illustrate them myself, then I read my first Judy Blume book aged about 8 and it just blew me away. No matter where I was or what I was doing when I was reading a book suddenly I wasn't at home, or in the playground, I was living a new adventure or feeling new feelings and that was when the whole world just opened up to me. I could be anyone, go anywhere or feel anything, real or imagined, just by opening a book. That was when I realised I wanted to write and take people on the journeys and adventures of my imagination, my world.
I completed a BA in Creative Studies in English well over 10 years ago now, became a Technical Writer (sounds fancy but actually involved very little writing), lived abroad, came home and had kids. During this entire time I have written very little, sporadically at best, nothing at all at worst. Each time I start another unfinished project I know where its going. Nowhere! Because although I have some talent for writing (as much as anyone can think they have without being arrogant), and have learned a skill, I don't actually know how to use it. This lack of direction stops me from really getting my teeth into a project and also gives me no idea as to whether or not anything I'm writing is marketable. How to get my writing out there. How do I make a living from it?
I have come to realise that I'm getting WAY ahead of myself. The first step is just to write. Write, write and write again. Then write some more. Write everything and anything that comes to mind in whatever little window of time I get. I'm sure even a shopping list could become more exciting with a little bit of Beth flair, OK, maybe not but you get the gist. Hmmm maybe that would be a good idea for a writing exercise. Write a shopping list with flair. That would be a good start. One of those pointless exercises designed for nothing more than flexing the old writing muscle. I'll do that.
Also I have been taken over by THE FEAR. As long as I'm not actually writing I'm not doing it and failing, no one is laughing at me and I don't look silly, a stupid little girl with a wild fantasy...
No more fear, no more procrastination. Every little thing I do and every little step I take is a step further to realising my dream.
OK so I've decided its now or never. Shit or bust. I either get on and become a writer or a shut up about it and go and work in an office or something, do whats expected of me, a responsible 'wife' and mother. I've always had this dream, it's time to live it or put the whole thing to rest and get on with my life. Thing is I just hate waste. And I can't help but think I'm a big old bag of wasted potential. So this blog is going to be about my journey of striving to become a real, proper, legitimate writer.
I've always love to write. I used to write little books as a child and illustrate them myself, then I read my first Judy Blume book aged about 8 and it just blew me away. No matter where I was or what I was doing when I was reading a book suddenly I wasn't at home, or in the playground, I was living a new adventure or feeling new feelings and that was when the whole world just opened up to me. I could be anyone, go anywhere or feel anything, real or imagined, just by opening a book. That was when I realised I wanted to write and take people on the journeys and adventures of my imagination, my world.
I completed a BA in Creative Studies in English well over 10 years ago now, became a Technical Writer (sounds fancy but actually involved very little writing), lived abroad, came home and had kids. During this entire time I have written very little, sporadically at best, nothing at all at worst. Each time I start another unfinished project I know where its going. Nowhere! Because although I have some talent for writing (as much as anyone can think they have without being arrogant), and have learned a skill, I don't actually know how to use it. This lack of direction stops me from really getting my teeth into a project and also gives me no idea as to whether or not anything I'm writing is marketable. How to get my writing out there. How do I make a living from it?
I have come to realise that I'm getting WAY ahead of myself. The first step is just to write. Write, write and write again. Then write some more. Write everything and anything that comes to mind in whatever little window of time I get. I'm sure even a shopping list could become more exciting with a little bit of Beth flair, OK, maybe not but you get the gist. Hmmm maybe that would be a good idea for a writing exercise. Write a shopping list with flair. That would be a good start. One of those pointless exercises designed for nothing more than flexing the old writing muscle. I'll do that.
Also I have been taken over by THE FEAR. As long as I'm not actually writing I'm not doing it and failing, no one is laughing at me and I don't look silly, a stupid little girl with a wild fantasy...
No more fear, no more procrastination. Every little thing I do and every little step I take is a step further to realising my dream.
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