A Sobering Question

The dilemma of one of our Fast Track members prompted me to write this post. The statement she made to us haunted me long after I had posted a reply. I hope she will forgive me, but I realized that her concern was one that plagues many new writers. I remember having the same thought when I was younger.

A most exciting time for a writer is that moment of pure inspiration. You get an idea for a book that grips you and just won't let go. All of your thoughts center on this idea. Scenarios, angles, even dialogue swirl around in your mind. You know without a doubt that you have to write this book. Then you think, what if this book has already been written? It's a sobering question that can quickly douse the flame of inspiration. But is it valid? My answer is no, but I wanted the opinion of another writer.

I posed this question to Funds for Writers founder C. Hope Clark. Hope constantly encourages and inspires me...and patiently answers my questions. She has graciously permitted me to quote her answer in this post.

What if the book I want to write has already been written?

What an intriguing question. First of all, your book has never been written. The topic may have been discussed, researched and presented, but never in the manner in which you can write it. How many biographies have been written about George Washington, John F. Kennedy, or Princess Diana? How many Civil War books have covered each skirmish, battle by battle, date by date, general by general? There was even a law-suit about the DaVinci Code, if you will recall, and the authors of the first book lost against Dan Brown, the author of the second book.

You cannot copyright an idea. Ideas belong to the world. The manner in which they are explained belongs to the author. Regardless of what you write, nonfiction or fiction, the manner of story-telling is yours. Even the driest history can come alive in the words of the right author. Your job is to write to make a reader want to read. And if you write it well, with a style all your own, no matter how many times a reader has read about the Industrial Revolution, the greening of America or the lifestyle of the early pioneers in relation to Native Americans, he'll enjoy your book. He'll also tell his friends who will tell their friends, something he's never done with the other versions of the book you think have already been written.

As you can see, it doesn't matter how much has been written on a subject, it's all about your own voice and what you feel you can add to the mix. Don't let anything steal your dreams. If you have questions about writing, ask another writer. Most will be happy to help you. No matter how trivial you may think your questions are, if they keep you from moving forward they are important enough to be answered.

Happy Writing!
StellaD
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C. Hope Clark is the founder of FundsforWriters.com and author of The Shy Writer. She has also been published in Writer's Digest, The Writer, Byline Magazine and others.

Imagine Your Life

The holidays are behind us now and most of you have reluctantly returned to work. Your bodies might be sitting behind a desk or working on the manufacturing floor, but your minds are somewhere else. Somewhere far, far away...lost in imagination.

Imagination is a writer's greatest asset. Novel writers use imagination to create characters, shape plot, and write dialogue. Poets make imaginative thoughts and visions come alive on the page. Copywriters and other non-fiction writers use imagination to create advertising or write articles. A writer's imagination is undoubtedly the most used tool in her/his repertoire, but how many writers use this tool in their 'real' lives?

Now, I'm sure you've often thought about what your life would be like if you were free to write. Most of us have from time to time. You've imagined what it would feel like to have your first article accepted, or your first novel published. There's your book on the New York Times Best Seller list. There you are on Oprah! Great feeling, right? But have you thought about your day to day life? How would you structure your daily writing activities? What would a day in your writing life be like?

Here is an exercise often used by Lifestyle/Creative Career Coaches to help their clients get a feel for living the life they dream of. This exercise can be used by anyone, but we are going to model it here for a writer:

Imagine you no longer have to work an outside job. You can now stay home and write to your heart's content. Drawing on the things you know about yourself, what would your perfect day be like? What time would you like to get up? Would you take some time to relax over coffee or breakfast before starting your day, or would you go straight to your home office? Where is your office? Is it in a room in the house, or outside (such as in a detached garage)? Do you work at a computer or writing desk, or do you take your laptop or a notebook and wander outside to write in good weather? How long will you write? You might have a set schedule, or you might write so many words/pages before stopping. Or you might not even write first thing in the morning. You might use that time to research, or run errands, and write in the evening.

The key is to use your imagination to create what you'd like your life to be like. Write it all down. Describe a daily work routine that makes you happy. This is about you and your unique personality. It's a new year. Start today. Imagine your life. Make it extraordinary.

Happy Writing!
StellaD

Write What You Know---Not

Another beautiful day here in west Georgia. I had the thought when I left work last night that we could soon be having our first frost as it was quite cool. Of course, 64 degrees is really very pleasant. Perfect rambling weather, I say. On my walk to the mailbox today I was just enjoying the cool autumn breeze and the wide expanse of blue sky overhead. I call it electric blue, though I can't really explain what I mean by that. Fall has a different type of energy. After sweltering through August, our own energy drained by the heat, the crisp fall air is invigorating. I picked up a few persimmons on the way back, I think this will be the last handful I get. The lack of rain has affected their growth. They are smaller this year, and not as plentiful. But they're still good!

Leaves are slowly turning. I've spotted patches of color in the woods. Little yellow wildflowers line the roadway. I'm on the lookout for goldenrod and ragweed. No new ducks or geese have appeared on the ponds as yet, but I'm keeping my eyes peeled for their return. A Canadian friend e-mailed me that they've had their first frost and that snow is already dusting the mountain tops in the area. The Autumn Equinox is Sunday, September 23, the official first day of autumn! I love it!

Read almost any book or article on getting started in your writing career and you will notice a recurring theme -- write about what you know. Sound advice, especially for those interested in writing non-fiction books and articles. Everyone has expertise in some area. It might be a hobby or favorite sport, such as collecting model trains, quilting, or golf. Maybe you have a passion, such as learning about different cultures, or cuisine. Because these are things you enjoy, they are much easier to write about. You've probably been reading, researching, and enjoying them for years.

Writing about the familiar not only helps ease beginner's writer's block, but also aids the seasoned writer who may be going through a 'slump' in their search for article ideas. Write what you know is an important tool that helps you write with confidence and authority. However, if you wish to have a successful career in freelance writing, there will be times when you must put this tool back on the shelf and write what you know--not.

Ideas for books and articles are all around us, and sometimes an idea can come from what you don't know about something. For instance, you might take a historical tour while on vacation and have a desire to know more about the history of a home or the town. Perhaps you heard an interesting anecdote that piqued your curiosity. Maybe you visited a museum and a particular work of art, or artist's technique interested you. Almost anything that leaves you with questions and a desire to know the answers can be turned into an article. Simply go on a fact finding mission and shape your article, or even a book, around those questions. With a little research, using other 'tools' such as Writer's Market, you can find a magazine or publisher to query about your idea.

There seem to be a lot of rules to learn when you're starting out as a writer. Just remember, the rules are tools...guidelines to help you sharpen your skills and perfect your trade. Sometimes you have to put the rules aside and just wing it. So, if you find yourself stuck on what to write, try writing about something you don't know. Ask the questions, search for the answers, then share what you've found out. It's a sure bet someone else wants to know those answers, too.

Happy writing!
StellaD