Hello writers of the world,
Earlier this week I was struggling to think of a blog idea, so I grab one of the writing prompts my lovely life mate has made for me. It was to write an open letter to writers and encourage you. I recognize that I might not be the most qualified person in the world to write this, however I'm going to. This is because if even one thing I say helps someone write with more passion and creativity, if it helps them do what they love for the rest of their lives, if it helps them move forward with their career, then it will be worth it.
So hello all of you wonderful writers out there. I do mean wonderful when I say that, because writing is wonderful and awesome and difficult. I know that sometimes you feel discouraged or angry or blocked. So here are some pieces of advice and encouragement.
One of the best ways to get better as a writer is to experience writing. Just like you get better at anything by learning from others who have done it before you, you can get a lot better by reading and critiquing writing. All kinds of writing, fiction, non fiction, newspapers, whatever. Read it and critique it, look at their sentence structure and word choice. Pay attention to how the use grammar and language to evoke emotions and thoughts. However, this doesn't end at reading. You can also watch movies, listen to music, or watch t.v. Roughly eight five percent of our entertainment is a form of writing. Keep a journal of phrases that sound good or catch your eye and try to understand why they stick out for you. Understanding others writing will help you build your own.
Learn by doing, never stop writing. Write things that suck and things that are great and everything in between. Write things that interest you and things that bore and pay attention to how your word choice and sentence structure changes.
Here's a piece of advice that may sounds strange, but stay with me. Take acting classes. This serves a twofold purpose. First, it will help you to hear and feel the sound of good words put greatly. Second, it will help you get inspiration to act out the great works of writing because it will help you to think of why the characters act the way they do and why the characters are built the way they are.
Also, try playing table top RPG's. I know that sounds weird, but it really does help to explore how stories are built and character motivations. Also, it's just a blast. I can play table top games and relax and come home ready to write the night away.
Play music, or learn an instrument. All creativity is based in the same part of the brain, so it makes sense that if you are creative in one way it will help other forms of creativity. It will also help you get through creative blocks. This really applies to any form of creativity, from music to stand up.
Don't be afraid to share you're writing, or rather share it despite being afraid. The input from others can help a lot. It also prepares you for the fact that not everyone is going to like what you write. While this may seem disheartening, you should in fact be excited about this. Because if everyone did like your writing there would be a serious lack of individuality in the world, and individuality fuels writing.
Lastly, realize that being writer is not for the weak willed or faint of heart. The act of being a writer, of constantly experiencing life and sharing those experiences in one way or another is a terrifying one that can leave you drained. That said it is so worth it. It is amazingly rewarding and fulfilling.
Keep on writing folks.
Tuesday, May 21, 2013
Tuesday, May 7, 2013
Family V.S. Relatives
Hey all, I know I've missed a few posts. However, I have a good reason, I swear! It was partially caused by finals, which were ridiculous, but I pulled through okay. It was mostly caused by my car. My car is a 1992 Ford Explorer, and honestly she's a great vehicle. 22 years old and still starts every time, stops on a dime, and gets me where I need to go is my definition of a great vehicle apparently, but I digress.
Last week I decided to do an oil change on my vehicle, something I am no stranger to. So I picked up all the necessary parts and my buddy Ian was kind enough to offer his driveway so I could have a stable, level, legal place to preform said oil change. Everything went wonderfully until I realized I couldn't get the drain plug back in the drain. I suddenly remembered that a few years ago the drain plug had become so stripped that it needed to be drilled out of the oil pan, causing the drain to be significantly wider than Ford originally intended it to be. After hours of tweaking and trying with one solution or another, Ian and I finally decided to measure the hole and buy an appropriately sized bolt to go in the drain. This resulted in us cutting down a six inch long, 5/8th of an inch wide bolt to two inches long. It's ugly, but it works. Maybe I'll post a picture for you folks one day.
On to the main content of this post. I have a weird definition of family, which may upset some folks, but I want to talk about it. I don't view family as being related by blood, although that can definitely play a role in family it is not the sole deciding factor. People you're related to by blood, but who are not family, are called relatives in my world.
Family is the people that make you feel like you belong. They love you despite of and partially because of your strange quirks and flaws. They are always willing to talk to you and figure out exactly what you meant by that odd comment or possibly racist remark because they know you're a good person and want to make sure you know that you sounded like an idiot or racist. Their honest, and kind, and loving. They watch out for you and are always there for you, no matter what happens. They will never judge you too harshly, but will always be vocal about their opinions of what you're doing while making sure you feel safe and loved. Our families are our first and harshest critics, but they are harsh out of love and a desire to see us grow. They resist the urge to be passive aggressive, because that will only cause pain.
Relatives don't do any of these things, or they may do some of these things but not all. Relatives are people you're related to by blood, but for one reason or another, don't know very well. I will lay down my life, my well being, and my soul for my family, I will only help relatives within reason.
Long story short, I love my family. I even like to majority of my relatives. That said, if you're not family but a relative, don't expect too much from me. I try to give all of my relatives a chance to become family, and if you've burnt that bridge it's hard to get back. It's not that I don't like you, or that I think you're a bad person, it's that you're not family.
Last week I decided to do an oil change on my vehicle, something I am no stranger to. So I picked up all the necessary parts and my buddy Ian was kind enough to offer his driveway so I could have a stable, level, legal place to preform said oil change. Everything went wonderfully until I realized I couldn't get the drain plug back in the drain. I suddenly remembered that a few years ago the drain plug had become so stripped that it needed to be drilled out of the oil pan, causing the drain to be significantly wider than Ford originally intended it to be. After hours of tweaking and trying with one solution or another, Ian and I finally decided to measure the hole and buy an appropriately sized bolt to go in the drain. This resulted in us cutting down a six inch long, 5/8th of an inch wide bolt to two inches long. It's ugly, but it works. Maybe I'll post a picture for you folks one day.
On to the main content of this post. I have a weird definition of family, which may upset some folks, but I want to talk about it. I don't view family as being related by blood, although that can definitely play a role in family it is not the sole deciding factor. People you're related to by blood, but who are not family, are called relatives in my world.
Family is the people that make you feel like you belong. They love you despite of and partially because of your strange quirks and flaws. They are always willing to talk to you and figure out exactly what you meant by that odd comment or possibly racist remark because they know you're a good person and want to make sure you know that you sounded like an idiot or racist. Their honest, and kind, and loving. They watch out for you and are always there for you, no matter what happens. They will never judge you too harshly, but will always be vocal about their opinions of what you're doing while making sure you feel safe and loved. Our families are our first and harshest critics, but they are harsh out of love and a desire to see us grow. They resist the urge to be passive aggressive, because that will only cause pain.
Relatives don't do any of these things, or they may do some of these things but not all. Relatives are people you're related to by blood, but for one reason or another, don't know very well. I will lay down my life, my well being, and my soul for my family, I will only help relatives within reason.
Long story short, I love my family. I even like to majority of my relatives. That said, if you're not family but a relative, don't expect too much from me. I try to give all of my relatives a chance to become family, and if you've burnt that bridge it's hard to get back. It's not that I don't like you, or that I think you're a bad person, it's that you're not family.
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