It's IWSG Day.
The goal of this blog hop is to share and encourage. Writers can express doubts
and concerns without fear of appearing foolish or weak. Those who have been
through the fire can offer assistance and guidance. It’s a safe haven for
insecure writers of all kinds. IWSG is the brainchild of Alex Cavanaugh. To find links to
other IWSG contributors, click here. A big thank you to August co-hosts: Susan Baury
Rouchard, Nancy Gideon,
Jennifer Lane,
Jennifer Hawes,
Chemist Ken,
and Chrys Fey.
August question
- Quote: "Although I have written a short story collection, the form found
me and not the other way around. Don't write short stories, novels or poems.
Just write your truth and your stories will mold into the shapes they need to
be." Have you
ever written a piece that became a form, or even a genre, you hadn't planned on
writing in? Or do you choose a form/genre in advance?
Once, in my writing infancy, I won a monthly contest in Writer’s Digest by entering a “recipe” for my future
success in writing. (“Stir together…multiple
courses in journalism and editorial writing…whip into a froth with… flashing
cursers, missed typo’s, overflowing wastebaskets…bake until published”). I wasn’t
planning the form, but I like to cook and somehow the words made their way into
my brain. I wrote the piece in under an hour, sent it and had almost forgotten
about it when a phone call came announcing the $500 prize.
In that
case, the form found me.
But, as I
ponder this question, I wonder whether the unidentified author of this quote is
talking less about form and more about creativity. One of the best
pieces of writing advice I ever received was early in my business career.
I was attempting to write a memo and the VP of HR said to me, “Just get the
words down. You can edit later.” Ever since, no matter what I'm writing, I try to do that. Case in
point, that recipe above. That day, I simply sat down and bashed out what was
in my head. Even now that little success is a reminder to me not to clog things
up by considering style, marketability, or genre until after I get the words onto
the page. Of course, good writing is good writing but it’s the story that sells first, right?
What is the
most creative piece, short story, novel, poem or what have you have ever
written, or read?
14 comments:
Great point. I think if you end up in a genre you hadn't expected, it's a result of being experimental and creative, following the story. "Get the words down" indeed!
Yes, good tip. Just get it down first. Think later.
you nailed writing in this post. Let if flow, then throw in some stops, merges, and even some re-routes on the road to success.
Hi Lisa - well done ... you were on the right line in the first place - it's good to have people to mentor, when it's needed. Take care and enjoy the writing in all its genres ... Hilary
So cool about the Writer's Digest contest. I struggle to get my first draft down, and have been telling myself the same thing as you. If I can just get some words down, I can go back and revise it. It works!
Yeah, I think you're absolutely right. Consideration of everything related to writing that isn't the actual writing is a brain clog, and I find the idea of writing for the market to be stifling.
Congrats on that WD win!
For me, getting the words down is the most important thing, too. I'm in the mystery genre someplace, but each story is different and has its own tiny slot there. I don't know what it is until it's done.
My best stories are ones I write quickly without worrying about editing until that first draft is done. They are the most creative.
Thanks Liza for the tips. I agree with you. Write freely, edit afterwards. Morning writing, as soon as I wake up and diary writing work best for me to ‘unload’ the mind of anything that might hinder my creativity. That said, morning writing often produces some surprising gems .
Wishing you a Happy IWSG blog hop.
I almost had my first chapter published in WD...
As for the most creative piece...I'd be hard pressed to choose, but I do love my recently completed Arcane Mystery, even after reading it however many times I have.
That's great. Quite a win for something you wrote off the top of your head. It took me a while to not try to make it perfect in the first try.
I need to get the words out. Beautiful thoughts.
What a clever analogy for the Writer’s Digest contest! No wonder you won 1st Place. Thanks for the fabulous advice, as I tend to waste a lot of time contemplating the little things, instead of focusing on the big picture. You constantly amaze me, Liza!
Julie
Very cool on you winning that WD contest! I know you're right about getting the words down on the paper first and worrying about the editing later, but I can rarely pull it off. The few times I've written like that, the results were good, but my inner editor is a real pain in the patootie. If I ever get back to writing again, I'll have to try really hard to just keep writing and ignore her nagging.
Take care, Liza. One step, one day at a time. I'm praying for you, too.
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