Sharing Some Writing Tips (based on Interviews with some Famous American Writers - Updated)

Article Title: Sharing Some Writing Tips (based on Interviews with some Famous American Writers - Updated)
Submitted by: Craig Lock
Line Space: 65 characters
Category (key words): Writing, Creative Writing, Writing Hints/Tips
Web Site: http://www2.webng.com/write
z/creative.html
Articles by Craig Lock: http://www.articlesbeyondbetter.comn(Writing, internet marketing, personal growth and words of inspiration)

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We hope that the following article, which is an nextract from our online creative writing course (formatted to 65 ncharacters) may be informative and helpful to your ne-zine readers, or on your web site. If it helps others "out nthere" in any way, then we're happy. This article (as with all nmy articles) may be freely published, electronically or in nprint
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If a lot of you do that, I'll take the hint and rather not send out my articles! Thanks.

"We share what we know, so that others may grow."nnn *
Sharing Some Writing Tips (based on Interviews with some Famous American Writers)

"I never had any doubts about my abilities. I knew I could write.
I just had to figure out how to eat while doing this." n- Cormac McCarthy

This article was based on some interviews with famous Americannwriters and is written in point form, from notes that I'ventaken from some excellent books (see Author's Note at end)...

I believe that anyone with a little talent can become a writer,nlook at what Judith Krantz has achieved. It's not so hard to write, nthe trick is staying a writer, day after day, month after month, nyear after year. A single book doesn't make a writer - but the ntotality of one's work does.

NB: Always write to please yourself. I have to write - write fromnthe heart, the gut.

James Michener only started writing at the age of 40. He thinksnas he walks. Think about the next days writing in advance.

In fiction, SHOW rather than tell. The way you learn to write isnto write. Practice makes "purrfect"...and that's how good writersnperfect their craft. Read a lot: novels, fiction - that's how younlea
to write well. Rewrite and re-write, which is "fine tuning"nyour story. It's like polishing a fine gem from a rough stone.

Ernest Hemingway: "There is no sense in writing anything that hasnbeen written before...unless you can beat it."

"Work every day - no matter what has happened the day or nightnbefore. Stop when you're writing well. Then you'll never getnstuck."n- Ernest Hemingway

The human mind works subconsciously, while you are relaxing. Ifnyou worry, your brain gets tired.
Concentration and focus, I believe, is the key to writingnsuccess.

"If you write a hundred short stories, and they arenall bad, that doesn't mean you've failed. You fail only if younstop writing."n- Ray Bradbury

Erica Jong: The theme running through all of her books is thenquest for self knowledge. Van Goch only sold one picture in hisnlifetime - to his brother! Hope for me then! n *
THE NOVEL:

PACE, PLOTn(getting from point A to point B) and THEME are important here;nbut the key element in fiction is CHARACTER. It makes the peoplencome alive; so that THEY tell the story. So write visually.

Joseph Wambaugh (author of The Onion Field) said: "There nare writers around with more talent than I; but there are none nmore DISCIPLINED than I."

Wambaugh sets a goal of writing at least 1000 words a day. If annemergency stops him, he writes 2000 words the next day.
Irving Stone on how to write:

1. Dramatize
2. Use plenty of dialogue
3. Bring your characters to life
4. Use anecdotes and humour.n *
In summary...
Writing for me is a mixture of TALENT and DISCIPLINE. Perserverenand stick with it - no matter what.

I don't believe one cannbe taught to write; but you can be taught to communicate. If youncan't take the criticism, you're not a writer. The "crit" maynread a book in 2 or 3 days and not get into it; becausencritiquing is so subjective.nn* PUSH yourself daily. Develop good writing habits. n* STICK WITH IT - DISCIPLINE is the key here. Then, n* TRUST in your ability.

I'm much more into practice than theory, but regard creative writing as "fully using one's 'creatitivity' through the creative imagination (subconscious mind) in putting words to paper to tell a tale, or attempting to get a message or moral through to one's readers."

Finally... Just be the very best you can be... and live you
writing, as well as your life dreams.

Happy writing and enjoy the jou
ey.

Craig Locknhttp://www.craiglockbooks.com

All proceeds go to needy and underprivilileged children - MINE!

Author's Note: This article was based on a number of excellentnbooks on writing: 'Write and Be Published' by Anna Rogers, 'ThenNew Zealand Writer's Handbook' by John Parsons, and 'On being anwriter', edited by Bill Strickland.

These three excellent books were a great help to me early in mynwriting career. I'm sharing this piece in the spirit of helpingnaspiring* writers. I hope the above information may be helpful tonyou in writing creatively.nnhttp://www2.webng.com/write
z/creative.html
The "original" online creative writing course.
15 entertaining lessons by a prolific author.
Learn the craft of writing and have fun at the same time.

All proceeds go to needy and underprivileged children - MINE nn* What's the definition of an aspiring writer?
A waiter!

"It took me 15 years to find out that I had no talent for writing, nbut by then I couldn't give it up, because by then I was too famous to give up."n- Robert Benchley

"The world would have you agree with its dismal dream ofnlimitation. But the light would have you soar like the eagle of your sacred visions." n- Alan Cohen

THIS ARTICLE MAY BE FREELY PUBLISHED

"If you have knowledge, let others light a candle to it."n- Margaret Fuller

That's a metaphor, btw!