Why I Write (Or… What Got Me Started)

Some time ago, in a writing forum I belong to, there was the question of what got us started writing or why we write.

I write because I can’t not write.  As trite or silly as that sounds, it’s true.  I get incredibly cranky if I skip more than two days.

But the bigger question is what got me started.  What was my inspiration?

I couldn’t remember until the other day.  I was in a Dollar General store.  They had a wire carousel with books on it for $1 each.  These are all from 1996-ish, though there are a few with more current copyright dates.  For the longest time I wouldn’t buy any books like these since the authors most likely don’t get royalties on them.

Then I realized they are work-for-hire anyway so the authors got paid a flat rate for the work and don’t/wouldn’t get royalties anyway.

But I digress…

What were the books I found that reminded me of why I started writing?

The Hardy Boys and Nancy Drew mysteries!

I bought five Hardy Boys and five Nancy Drew books that day.  I had forgotten how fast a read they are!  I can read one in two hours. 

But they always drag me in.  I’m always hanging on the page, waiting for what will happen next, feeling nervous or scared or whatever along with the characters.

I can’t chalk it up to masterful writing since it’s rather formulaic.  I can chalk it up to characters I know and care about and have for a long time.

I think I discovered the Hardy Boys in 4th grade, when I was 9.  I’m 33 now.

I still love the Hardy Boys and Nancy Drew!  That’s why I write.  I have always thought if only I could write something like that, something with staying power, something that people will want to read on into adulthood and feel the same way they did when they read it in childhood/adolescence.

Oh to be able to write something like that!

It’s a re-realized goal.  It’s something I will aim for.

But for now, there’s a Hardy Boys book waiting for me.

Filed under: writing

In Answer to a Question

There is a YahooGroup I’m a member of, The Writers Life.  I know some of you have heard of it.    There was a question posed there about poetry.  After I answered this morning, I left for a family get-together.  While traveling the hour there and again the hour back, I decided I would put what I said here as well.

First, you don’t need an agent.  There are very few (legitimate) agents out there who will touch poetry. 

Second, there are some legitimate poetry chapbook contests out there.  Some are listed in Writers Digest & Poets & Writers.  HOWEVER, check them against Preditors & Editors.  Yet another however, though…  Just because a contest charges an entry fee does NOT mean it’s a bad contest.  P&E lists any contests that charge entry fees — even as little as $2 — as “not recommended” and red-flags them.  (I’ve talked about this before in the “Contests with Entry Fees” post.)

Third, I would recommend checking out the current edition of Poet’s Market, also put out by WD Books.

I don’t (yet) have a poetry chapbook out, but I have thought about it and done some preliminary research on it.

I don’t know much/anything about Christian markets.  So I’m pretty much no help there.

The only poems I’ve had published were in an anthology when I was in college.  It was a faculty/student anthology.  I’ve also had a few win awards (honorable mentions, but those still count).  But that’s been about it.

You can see links some of my poems on the Writing page of my website.

Filed under: writing

Me? An Artist?

I don’t generally post about non-writing-related things here.  But…  I do mention writing a few times, even though the post itself isn’t directly about writing. 

In all of my hobbies, all of my crafts, I have never — ever — considered myself as an artist.

That changed when I went to Eureka Springs last month. The owner of Delphia’s Dream, a boutique on Spring Street, called me an artist because of my jewelry.

Me.

That took me by surprise.

But why did it take me a month to feel like I could address it?

When T (my aunt who lives in New Orleans) was in this weekend, I went to Grandma’s to see her. She and D (another aunt) wanted to see my new pieces.

Of course, I obliged. I like showing off my jewelry. It’s something I love and that other people like to see and (generally) hear about.

I was putting the things back in my bag and telling them about being called an artist and how I’ve never seen myself as such.

“What? Why?” T wanted to know. “Look at all of this! You are definitely an artist!”

Um…. OK….

It took me a number of years and a rather substantial change in mindset before I was able to call myself a writer. Perhaps the same will hold true for calling myself an artist?

That just seems so pretentious to me.

Art is something higher, something loftier, than I am capable of doing. Other people can call themselves artists. I have seen what some of them have done and I would agree with that designation.

Perhaps I have allowed those who call me a dabbler to overly influence my thinking in that area.

But….

I also see art prices as expensive. I hope to keep the prices of my jewelry reasonable. I feel like I have to justify anything I price over $30.

$25 to $30 is borderline. I get … antsy if I price above that.

And yet, there are definitely pieces that are worth it, like the gray mother-of-pearl flower and peacock potato pearls or the abalone and mother-of-pearl and abalone necklace my Granny bought.

Or the silver, cubic zirconia, and abalone necklace I made for Grandma. That would have gone for about $100 if I had sold it. That one would have made me squeamish to quote even though it was easily worth it.

Prices aside, though, I wonder what the criteria would be to determine oneself as an artist versus a crafter versus a dabbler?

I guess that’s something I need to figure out for myself.

Hopefully it won’t take another four years. That would make it on par with how long it took me to be able to call myself a writer.

Filed under: not writing

Motivation

From Merriam-Webster online:

Main Entry: mo·ti·va·tion
Pronunciation: "mO-t&-'vA-sh&n
Function: noun
1 a : the act or process of motivating b : the condition of being motivated
2 : a motivating force, stimulus, or influence : INCENTIVE, DRIVE

I think it’s safe to say lately I have no incentive or drive for writing.  Or for posting to this blog. 

I wrote a website review more because it is due than for any real desire to write it.  Oddly enough, I feel like it’s one of the better ones I have written.  After it is published, I will copy & paste it here.

Instead of going back to good ol’ Miriam for synonyms, let’s look at what Microsoft Word’s thesaurus comes up with.

inspiration
incentive
drive
enthusiasm
impetus
stimulus
spur
impulse
driving force

I can’t say I really have any of that going on either.

I wouldn’t say I have writers block.  I can and do write.  I just don’t have the motivation for it.  I guess you could say my muse has left the building.

But I know why.

I’m tired.  I’ve been traveling a lot, working as much as I can in between times, visiting out-of-state relatives, and not getting enough rest. 

This doesn’t look like it’s really going to change any time soon.  Wednesday will see me on the road once again and I won’t be back until Friday.  Unless I find a way out of it.

I’ll spend the time between now and then looking for my motivation.

Filed under: writing

Even Skywriters Need Editors

Filed under: writing

Reminder/Introduction

Dorothy Thompson is the author of A Complete Guide to Promoting and Selling Your Self-Published eBook.  She is also the editor and founder of The Writer’s Life, which has been included in the Writers’ Digest Top 101 Websites for Writers.

Dorothy didn’t have someone tell her how to write an eBook or how to market an eBook.  She figured out most — all? — of it on her own.  And she is willing to share that information with us through this eBook.

Please feel free to ask any questions here in comments or via e-mail.  I will make sure Dorothy gets them.

Her virtual blog tour arrives at Blue Jeans & Tennis Shoes  tomorrow, November 7.  Send your questions before (or after) you go vote.

Filed under: writing

Go Read

OK, guys, here’s the deal….

I have a friend who has a blog on Blogger called The Writer’s Life. She has a thing where you can send her the first page of your story and she’ll put it up and people will comment/crit.

So…

If you would, go read the first little bit of Shadows of Stonehenge and comment on it. Thanks muchly.

Filed under: writing

Sneezing Away the Muse

For some odd reason, at the first sniffle of a cold, my muse flees.  I guess she’s afraid of getting sick, too.

Can muses get sick?  Mine seems to think so.

I’ve been trying to get a cold for a week.  It finally hit full-force yesterday.  For this week, when I look at anything writing-related, my mind goes blank and I can’t even remember how to spell my own name.

I know sometimes I need to slow down and take it easy, but I don’t need — or want — to be so thoroughly musely abandoned.

Filed under: writing