| New writers always worry about talent, but | | | | write.When you've decided on something you |
| "talent" is no indication of ability to | | | | want to write, whether it's a newspaper |
| write. If you have the desire to write, | | | | article, a novel, or a company overview, the |
| that's a fair indication that you have all | | | | next step is to find a model for it so you |
| the ability you need.=> The desire to do | | | | know how that piece of writing is put |
| something is the indication that you CAN do | | | | together.Study the model and make an outline |
| itEverything we do starts with a desire to do | | | | of it, then write.=> Pay attention: make your |
| it, from learning to walk, to writing. From | | | | writing funThe more fun you have writing, the |
| then on, it's just a matter of having fun, | | | | more you will write. Dean Koontz once said |
| and practicing.When someone says "I want to | | | | that if you want to write commercially, |
| write, but," the most important part of the | | | | writing has to be more fun for you than |
| sentence is "I want to write."=> Talent is | | | | anything else you could be doing.Professional |
| the natural ability to do something well, but | | | | writers do a lot of writing which is not |
| so what?I've always said that if you can | | | | intrinsically fun. I write copy for |
| write a letter, you can write copy (write for | | | | businesses, and writing about EDI (Electronic |
| business). This is a hundred per cent | | | | Data Exchange), water pumps for drainage |
| accurate. Anyone with the natural-born | | | | systems and occupational health is fun for me |
| ability to write a letter can write copy. | | | | because I make it fun. I'm determined to |
| However, I can't predict whether the talented | | | | enjoy it, and so I do.It's easy for me to |
| one will sit down and do it, day after day | | | | convince myself that a piece of writing like |
| after day.WHEN IT COMES TO WRITING, OR ANY | | | | a software tutorial is fun, because at the |
| CREATIVE PURSUIT, TALENT IS MEANINGLESS.It's | | | | very basic level of playing with words, it is |
| doing it that counts.In one of my favourite | | | | extremely enjoyable. Enjoyment is a function |
| books, "Zen Mind, Beginner's Mind", | | | | of paying attention.Try it yourself. The next |
| Suzuki-roshi says: "All that we should do is | | | | time you're doing a task you dislike, like |
| just do something as it comes. *Do* | | | | cleaning the bathroom for example, start to |
| something!"If you want to write, just write. | | | | pay attention to it. Become deeply engrossed |
| Sit down with a pen and paper, or in front of | | | | in spraying cleaner onto the bathroom mirror |
| your computer, and put words on paper. | | | | and wiping it off, and in scrubbing the |
| Shakespeare, Charles Dickens, and every | | | | shower stall. The more attention you pay, the |
| writer who has ever lived or ever will live | | | | more you will enjoy it.=> Welcome |
| does just that, and only that.Sit down and | | | | critiquesWhen you write, you start out by |
| write. This is easier said than done. You | | | | managing your inner critic. Next you need to |
| need to know how to stop getting in your own | | | | learn how to manage external critics, people |
| way.=> Use your critical sense AFTER you have | | | | who critique your work.If you write |
| words on the pageImagine that you're an | | | | professionally, you need to learn how to deal |
| artist. You're drawing a still-life, of a | | | | with editors, who are your primary external |
| bowl of fruit. You take your paints, mix | | | | critics. Editors are VITAL to writers, and a |
| several colours to get the precise red of an | | | | good editor can make you a much better |
| apple, and dab a brushstroke onto the | | | | writer. This is because an editor tells you |
| canvas.You tilt your head onto the side. No, | | | | what's not on the page.The only way to deal |
| that's not right. You clean your brush and | | | | with an editor is to revise your work |
| start again. More mixing, another | | | | according to his instructions. You may not |
| brushstroke. You shake your head. Still not | | | | like it, but do it anyway. Then go on to the |
| right. You clean your brush ---.This process | | | | next piece of writing.Writing skill develops |
| gets you nowhere. It's the same when you | | | | over time. The only way to find out whether |
| write. When you're writing, lay words onto | | | | you have talent is to write. If you write |
| the page just as an artist paints.You can't | | | | persistently for a few years, you will |
| know what the result will be until you've | | | | discover that you have talent. Your talent |
| finished putting words onto the page. This | | | | grew when you weren't looking. Write.Stuck in |
| means that you need to completely ignore your | | | | your writing career? Get a coach! Angela |
| critical sense while you're writing. Once | | | | Booth coaches writers in copywriting (writing |
| you've finished a writing task, you use your | | | | for business), nonfiction, and fiction. A |
| inner critic.=> Pre-write, and find writing | | | | veteran writer, published by major publishers |
| modelsWriting is about models, and about | | | | worldwide, Angela is also an experienced |
| structure. If you know what a particular | | | | writing teacher, who knows how to inspire and |
| piece of writing should look like, you can | | | | motivate. You CAN make a success of your |
| write it.The best way to start and continue | | | | writing career. Free daily info for writers |
| your writing career is not to begrudge words. | | | | at her blog: Start your writing coaching |
| Let your words flow freely. Every | | | | today by contacting Angela at her site |
| professional writer that I know writes | | | | Angela offers personal one-on-one e-courses |
| constantly, and most of that writing never | | | | and mentoring for all forms of writing. Ask |
| makes it into print. It's pre-writing, | | | | for a low-cost initial phone or email |
| writing to find out what you want to | | | | consultation. |