We Find Our Own Way

It is impossible to discourage the real writers - they don't give a damn what you say, they're going to write. ~Sinclair Lewis

A quote. A simple one, yet so true. You can take us anywhere, and we're writing ... in our heads ... always listening for that word or phrase that we can use or turn to fit the story. Collecting ideas like some people collect sea shells or stamps. It never stops.

We cut out articles, clip pictures from magazines, gather quotes, we're always searching for new pieces to fit or become a story. A writer never leaves the house without pen and paper. Some people look at a crime scene or children playing at the beach or a farmer plowing his field and they see ... a crime scene, children playing at the beach, and a farmer plowing his field.

A writer sees, hears, tastes, feels, and smells a story. Some of us even dip into that sixth sense and go beyond the story ... we interview characters and see the plot unfold first hand.

Crazy? Maybe.

But some days I think we have to be a little crazy to be a writer. We have to find our own way, every writer's process is different. There are no rules when it comes to gathering ideas and finding the piece of the story that's missing. In all of the books I've read on writing, each author relays their own theory and ideas as to how to find the muse and the inspiration to write the next bestseller.

Sometimes you wake up and it's there, on occasion it springs out of you like a geyser, and don't kid yourself, more often than not ... we're fact finding, researching, listening, gathering outside information to fill in the blanks or store up for the next story.

We can read every book on writing from every great author that thinks they have the answer to it all ... but in the end ... we have to find our own way.

Blessings to you and yours.