The Write Place
Here you will find everything to do with writing, whether it is my writing or what I'm learning from reading books on writing. Reading, vocabulary, and grammar are the tools of the trade. The very best people to learn from are the ones who are seasoned writers who teach writing. You would be wise to enlist them as your mentors, as I have.
- In: The Write Place
Author of such Sci-Fi classics as "The Martian Chronicles", "Fahrenheit 451", and "Something Wicked This Way Comes", Bradbury, like all the other writers I've introduced here previously, believed that as long as you keep writing, you are not a failure. "The average young person....seems to have the motto, 'If at first you don't succeed, stop right there.' They want to start at the top of their profession and not to learn their art on the way up." Bradbury wrote everyday of his life except weekends which were for his family. He believed material things were not important. Getting the work done 'beautifully and proudly' is important. The money will come as a reward for creating beautiful work. Things don't belong to you. All you'll ever have is yourself.
- In: The Write Place
In this interview when Truman Capote was 42, right before "In Cold Blood" was published, Capote is excited about this new kind of book, the "non-fiction novel."
Born in 1924 to his 16 year old mother, a restless and intelligent spirit, at 18 his mother went to college. By the time she graduated his parents were divorced and he was sent to live with his elderly uncle and three elderly ladies. It was a lonely life in a remote part of Alabama but it was here that he became interested in writing. When he left school at 17, he went right to work in the art department at the New Yorker (painting was also a deep interest).
- In: The Write Place
For a time, Steinbeck lived and worked with migrant workers from Oklahoma and California. The result was "The Grapes of Wrath" and a Pulitzer Prize. These words of wisdom are from a letter he published in 1963.
- In: The Write Place
Taken from a question and answer session at the University of Oregon, the author shares his insights into the life of a writer.
Faulkner feels that his job as a writer is to write what he believes and express it in the best way that he can. And when he's finished, he hopes it is expressed in a way that everyone can understand and derive some benefit from it.
He believes that you need to wait before making changes. You will get to a point where you realize this is the best you can do. And if it still fails to express what you are striving for and is not good enough, then you must decide if there is enough there to make it worth finishing.
- In: The Write Place
Although most of her books are marketed for children L'Engle says she does not write for children - she writes for herself. I love this because I also write for myself, even laughing sometimes while writing because I find the stories that come to me are so entertaining. And it is always good to know you aren't alone. I'm always hearing "find your audience" but whether or not anyone else enjoys my writing, I know I do and that is what makes me happy. And in the end, isn't that what it's all about? Finding your joy?
Although many authors do receive kudos and instant fame and fortune with their first novel, L'Engle didn't receive any recognition until she wrote "A Wrinkle in Time", her 11th book. I know that certainly gives me hope, now working on my 4th book.