The Art of Writing

by Quendi 35 Replies latest social entertainment

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  diana netherton

  I am a writer as well...I have notebooks filled with poems and diaries from the 80s. I sometimes

  go back and read them. I've kept most of them. When word processing came around, I was

  thrilled. I had an old typewriter that I used but the thought of just pushing delete or backspace

  was brilliant. However, I do believe the "art" of writing is lost on the young. My son, who is

  20, can barely write a letter. He's a whiz with computers, etc...but writing forget it!

  Quendi....pm me about your novel. I am working on one as well and I would be interested to

  hear about yours. Mine is a crime novel..quite appropriate, since I've been a court stenographer

  for 20 years.
• 

  jgnat

  I agree that the medium does affect the message. Handwriting does require deliberation. To get the same effect by computer requires painstaking re-reading and editing.

  I would not give up the free flow that typing on a computer allows me. It most closely matches the speed that my thoughts come tumbling forth. Mobile divices have not become agile enough for me, though, so if the muse hits where there is no electronic aid, I write it down. The speed that I record it, however, pretty well guarantees illegibility.....except to me.

  I also get kudos for sending handwritten notes. For the sentiment perhaps more than the message. I got famous the illegibility, and one employee was assigned as "official translator". I'd often send these notes when I was on vacation, for instance, and the poor recipient would be left holdng this attractive postcard with an indecipherable message.

  Here's a sample of my notes...meant only for me.

  
• 

  daniel-p

  Writing is writing is writing. Some people write slowly, others write quickly. The same thing happened when the typewriter was introduced. Many writers immediately made the change, while others didn't want to have anything to do with it. The important thing is to find what doesn't impede the creative process. For me, I can compose with either a pen or keyboard, but a keyboard helps me to get my thoughts down faster.
• 

  Open mind

  Christopher Hitchens summed up my chances of ever creating the Great American Novel with these words:

  “Everybody does have a book in them, but in most cases that's where it should stay.”

  om
• 

  mrsjones5

  I have a question: my daughter is a naturally gifted writer. She writes like I wish I could write, naturally from the heart, it just kinda pours out of her. My hubby made the misstep of telling my daughter if she keeps a journal he feels he has a right to read her most personal thoughts (something I don't agree with and feel that should only be done with permission) so now she has stopped writing for pleasure. I've tried to encourage her to pick up the pen again but she refuses. Is there anything I can do?

  P.S. She published a couple of her unfinished stories on a writers' website and they were warmly received. She collected quite a few fans.
• 

  jgnat

  Mrs. Jones, you sent me down memory lane. My daughter, when she was a teenager, kept a journal. Just a hypothetical, one day she asked me if I would ever read it. I answered honestly, "If I thought you were in danger (getting in to drugs, for instance), I would."

  She clammed up and as far as I know, stopped recording her thoughts.

  I never peeked.

  Would it be helpful to show your daughter a young person who has self-published? This boy is a contemporary of my daughter.

  Snapshots of Growing old by the Side of the Road
• 

  slimboyfat

  I was think of writing a book, but purely to make money you understand.
• 

  mrsjones5

  It might help. She was on Wattpad for a while. I'm sure she still as an account there.
• 

  jgnat

  Well, then, slimboyfat, may I suggest the romance genre.
• 

  Jomavrick

  Quendi,

  Nice post, I like the subject. And thank you for reminding me that I somehow, last week managed to lose my coveted Montegrappa Rollerball pen that I purchased in Venice. I loved that pen as an object, for its beautiful feel and lines and for the wonderful memory of finding that little store and buying it.

  Now im depressed again,,,,,,