“How bad do you want it?” Tim McGraw rocks out on one of my husband’s favorite CD’s. As I listen while we drive I realize, I can relate just about everything to writing. Maybe that’s the sign of a writer, always watching, thinking and observing for that next character, plot or subject matter.
It reminds me of when I was a child, really believing and becoming the stories I read, thinking about them unceasingly until I could open the cover once again. Somehow, I was there, even if only an observer. I was right in on the action; feeling the same things as the characters I read, trying to decide how I could keep the story real even after the pages had all been turned. I usually took it one step further, begging for a tree house after reading Swiss Family Robinson, getting a pet rabbit after reading The Velveteen Rabbit, and buying those “feels like real fur” mice at the dime store and learning origami so I could make boats that float after reading Stuart Little.
I think those connections are what every author dreams their readers feel after reading their books. Those are the connections that make me so passionate about getting books into the hands of children. Encouraging dreams and fantasy, allowing children to find their own connections with the story world and their current physical existence. That’s what great authors do as they write. JK Rowling created “The Dementors” as part of her Harry Potter series out of the frustration and depression she was feeling behind writing her first novel.
So, you could ask yourself, ‘how bad do you want it?” But better yet, maybe we should ask how we could write so our readers will feel they want it so bad they can’t wait to get back to reading our work; that they feel so connected they want to make boats, build tree houses, or cuddle with rabbits. I believe anything that is written from the passionate depths of our writing souls, can only bring those kind of responses, (even though we may never know the connections we make with our readers) and that is something I do truly want.
© February 25, 2008 Marie Boyum
Do you consider yourself a writer? I mean really consider yourself a writer? Enough that if people ask you what you do, you would proudly say, “I am a writer.”
Many people would say they would only say that if they write full-time. Why? Does writing consume your thoughts? Does it tug at your heartstrings and cause butterflies to flitter in your stomach every time you put pen to paper, or your fingers to the keyboard? If the passion burns within you to write, then it does not matter how you earn your paycheck- you are a writer.
Some may say, they have not sold any works, or been paid to write, but I beg to differ. If you have felt the joy of reading your words, relived events, or felt taken away as you wrote, never noticing the time fly as you sit absorbed in your thoughts and the wonderful process of creating, then you have been paid. Money is not everything, and we all know it cannot buy happiness. So if you feel a sense of bliss just thinking about being able to write, then say proudly, I am a writer!”
© February 18, 2008 Marie Boyum
Do you “jot?”
I carry around a pen and paper, a mini-word processor, and a hand-held tape recorder at all times. These are for my “jots”. Those ideas I consider “starburst thoughts,” the ones that are more than a passing notion and warrant remembering. With so much to do and remember in today’s world noting things in some form or another (paper, electronic, or voice) is so important.
I have files with small slips of paper tucked in them (you need the pocket files to do this) of ideas for future characters, story ideas, books, articles, etc. Once categorized and tucked away I can safely put the thought out of my mind until I am ready for that project or need to research the idea or concept. (I need all the “ram” space in my head I can get!)
Have you ever written something down, say right before you go to sleep, or after having awoke from a dream and were sure what you wrote down was the greatest thing ever? Then when revisiting the “jottings” you realize it’s all a bunch of hooey? One thing I have learned from that is there still is possibly something to be gleaned from the original idea (kind of like a first draft) and so I have a special file for those too. You just never know what bit, part, or concept might have a glimmer of merit in there somewhere.
So, do you “jot?” I’d love to hear how others deal with those fleeting thoughts you are sure are part of the next bestseller. Write back here and give me your thoughts. Even if you think this is a bunch of “hooey”- who knows, maybe this will spark a “starburst thought” for you or, there might possibly be something you can glean from here; jot it down, and let me know.
© February 8, 2008 Marie Boyum
