Darrell Case's Blog - Posts Tagged "writing"
Is it too late?
We have a tenancy to believe when a person reaches a certain age they are useless. They are no longer productive. Consequently in their field of expertise they should retire and let a younger person take their place.
Yet in the field of creativity, many have not reached their peak until older age. A good example is Frank McCourt, who passed in 2009. Frank didn’t publish his first book until he was 66 years old. After Angela’s Ashes, he went on to win the Pulitzer, National Book Critics Circle Award, and L.A. Times Book Award. “You might be poor, your shoes might be broken, but your mind is a palace.”
Can we imagine a world without Little House on the Prairie Yet Laura Ingalls Wilder was 64 when she put pen to paper. The result was Little House In The Big Woods. Her books are still in print and among some of best sellers in children’s books and been translated into forty languages. “The real things haven't changed. It is still best to be honest and truthful; to make the most of what we have; to be happy with simple pleasures; and have courage when things go wrong.”
Bram Stoker was 50 years old when he wrote Dracula. He went on to write seven more novels before his death at age of 64.
Mary Wesley didn’t publish her first novel until she was in her seventies. By the time of her death at 90 her books sells were in the millions.
“Looking back, I understand that I was teaching myself to write”.
I began my writing career in 1994. In the early days, I wrote a few magazine articles and devotions for a daily devotional. It was not until 2010 at age 65 I published my first book Live Life to the Fullest.
This year my seventh book is to be published and I will pass my seventieth birthday. Deadly Justice is a thriller in this novel an active serial killer is elected as president of the Untied States. Is this the end? Has my creativity come to an end? I think not. Later this year God willing I will start my eighth. I plan to write until The Lord takes me home.
Yet in the field of creativity, many have not reached their peak until older age. A good example is Frank McCourt, who passed in 2009. Frank didn’t publish his first book until he was 66 years old. After Angela’s Ashes, he went on to win the Pulitzer, National Book Critics Circle Award, and L.A. Times Book Award. “You might be poor, your shoes might be broken, but your mind is a palace.”
Can we imagine a world without Little House on the Prairie Yet Laura Ingalls Wilder was 64 when she put pen to paper. The result was Little House In The Big Woods. Her books are still in print and among some of best sellers in children’s books and been translated into forty languages. “The real things haven't changed. It is still best to be honest and truthful; to make the most of what we have; to be happy with simple pleasures; and have courage when things go wrong.”
Bram Stoker was 50 years old when he wrote Dracula. He went on to write seven more novels before his death at age of 64.
Mary Wesley didn’t publish her first novel until she was in her seventies. By the time of her death at 90 her books sells were in the millions.
“Looking back, I understand that I was teaching myself to write”.
I began my writing career in 1994. In the early days, I wrote a few magazine articles and devotions for a daily devotional. It was not until 2010 at age 65 I published my first book Live Life to the Fullest.
This year my seventh book is to be published and I will pass my seventieth birthday. Deadly Justice is a thriller in this novel an active serial killer is elected as president of the Untied States. Is this the end? Has my creativity come to an end? I think not. Later this year God willing I will start my eighth. I plan to write until The Lord takes me home.
Writers are readers
Do you desire to write? To wave a world where readers can visit and forget their troubles if only for a short time? Then read and read and read.
I have a friend who has spoken several times of the book he is going to write. Yet by his own admission, he doesn’t read. In fact, he finds it difficult to read. Unfortunately, I fear he will never write the book he desires to pen. Writing a book fiction or nonfiction is a very difficult challenge. Some start and never finish while others never began, but speak of their aspirations.
In a recent interview I was asks for suggestions for others who aspire to become an author. One suggestion I gave was to read, writers are readers. In reading, you can see how the writer kept the thread of story weaving throughout the novel. The author’s plot and character development. How the different elements the story come together to form the entire story and the satisfying ending. For me, I enjoy libraries. Small ones, big ones it makes no difference. At yard sales or in seconded handed stores I gravitate to books. To find a book by a favorite author or discover a new one is a tremendous treasure. Sometimes I will purchase a book just for the year of the copyright the older the better. To find what did this author say in bygone days.
Curling up in bed with a good book is magnificent. If the book is well written, I become lost in the story. Also I will remember this book long after I had closed the pages. Do you desire to write? To weave a world where readers can visit and forget their troubles if only for a short time? Then read and read and read.
I have a friend who has spoken several times of the book he is going to write. Yet by his own admission, he doesn’t read. In fact, he finds it difficult to read. Unfortunately, I fear he will never write the book he desires to pen. Writing a book fiction or nonfiction is a very difficult challenge. Some start and never finish while others never began, but speak of their aspirations.
In a recent interview I was asks for suggestions for others who aspire to become an author. One suggestion I gave was to read, writers are readers. In reading, you can see how the writer kept the thread of story weaving throughout the novel. The author’s plot and character development. How the different elements the story come together to form the entire story and the satisfying ending. For me, I enjoy libraries. Small ones, big ones it makes no difference. At yard sales or in seconded handed stores I gravitate to books. To find a book by a favorite author or discover a new one is a tremendous treasure. Sometimes I will purchase a book just for the year of the copyright the older the better. To find what did this author say in bygone days.
Curling up in bed with a good book is magnificent. If the book is well written, I become lost in the story. Also I will remember this book long after I had closed the pages. Do you desire to write? To weave a world where readers can visit and forget their troubles if only for a short time? Then read and read and read.
You want to be a writer? Why?
For several years, I taught a course on pastoring at a local prison. The first question I ask the class of eager students was why. Why would you want to be a pastor? Why would you want to be on call 24/7? To give up time with your family or other activities? Some believe erroneously a pastor only preaches on Sunday; therefore, the rest of the week is leisure time.
Nothing could be farther from the truth. A pastor studies prays resolves conflicts and is involved in every aspect of the church. If a member of the church is in an accident or becomes ill enough to go to the hospital at 2 or 3 AM. If they are scheduled for surgery at 6 in the morning, they expect their pastor to be there. Consequently, pastoring is a calling, not an occupation.
Likewise, the same is true with being a Christian author or writer. According to Bowker, there are 2,700 books published each day or approximately 1,000,000 annually. An author has a one in a million chance of their book raising above the crowd. With many books on the market and more being added daily, it very difficult to make your voice heard. So why in the world would you want to write a book? Why spend hours, days, months and sometimes years writing a novel? There has to be something beyond the joy of seeing your name in print or your book on store shelves.
Why would you want to be a writer? Because it is the most wonderful profession on earth. You, my friend, get to generate people who live in an unseen world. You share their joys, their sorrows. You see them grow and develop into individuals who speak love, hate work play, get married, and have children. From a little spark in your mind, they come into being. Even the minor characters have something important to say. They move the story froward. The main characters must change by the end of the book. The reason the villain is the villain is significant in the book. Why is he or she like they are? Did something happen in their childhood that shaped them? Later in life?
Soon you are in a world of your own making. The thread that began on the first page must run to the last. The beginning must have a hook which keeps the reader turning pages until they finish the book. Just like a good meal, it must satisfy the reader with the story and its conclusion. The book must leave a good taste in their mouth and have them eager to pick up another book by the same author.
So, you want to be a writer? Get ready for a very rocky road. One filled with heartaches sorrows and disappointments. Get ready for rejections and possibly ridicule. Get ready for hard work with little or no reward.
Get ready for excitement, which grows daily. Get ready to lose yourself in a world of your own making. Get ready to meet characters who will change your life forever. Get ready for the greatest calling in the world.
So, you want to be a writer? Good for you.
Nothing could be farther from the truth. A pastor studies prays resolves conflicts and is involved in every aspect of the church. If a member of the church is in an accident or becomes ill enough to go to the hospital at 2 or 3 AM. If they are scheduled for surgery at 6 in the morning, they expect their pastor to be there. Consequently, pastoring is a calling, not an occupation.
Likewise, the same is true with being a Christian author or writer. According to Bowker, there are 2,700 books published each day or approximately 1,000,000 annually. An author has a one in a million chance of their book raising above the crowd. With many books on the market and more being added daily, it very difficult to make your voice heard. So why in the world would you want to write a book? Why spend hours, days, months and sometimes years writing a novel? There has to be something beyond the joy of seeing your name in print or your book on store shelves.
Why would you want to be a writer? Because it is the most wonderful profession on earth. You, my friend, get to generate people who live in an unseen world. You share their joys, their sorrows. You see them grow and develop into individuals who speak love, hate work play, get married, and have children. From a little spark in your mind, they come into being. Even the minor characters have something important to say. They move the story froward. The main characters must change by the end of the book. The reason the villain is the villain is significant in the book. Why is he or she like they are? Did something happen in their childhood that shaped them? Later in life?
Soon you are in a world of your own making. The thread that began on the first page must run to the last. The beginning must have a hook which keeps the reader turning pages until they finish the book. Just like a good meal, it must satisfy the reader with the story and its conclusion. The book must leave a good taste in their mouth and have them eager to pick up another book by the same author.
So, you want to be a writer? Get ready for a very rocky road. One filled with heartaches sorrows and disappointments. Get ready for rejections and possibly ridicule. Get ready for hard work with little or no reward.
Get ready for excitement, which grows daily. Get ready to lose yourself in a world of your own making. Get ready to meet characters who will change your life forever. Get ready for the greatest calling in the world.
So, you want to be a writer? Good for you.
Painting a picture in the mind of the reader
Which conveys more emotion? He wept. Or his chest heaved, his eyes filled with tears, his heart pounded so hard he was sure she could hear it. “You want a divorce?” Or? “Yo…you…want a…divorce.” A few minutes ago, he felt life could not get better. Now it was over.
He asks her to marry him. Or? A young couple stood in the park, holding hands. The light of a full moon filtered through the leaves of a giant oak. Her lips curled in the cute smile he loved. This was the moment he prayed and waited for. He is glad they are in the shadow of the street lamp. This way, she couldn’t see the flush on his cheeks. He goes to one knee. He fumbles with the small box in his sweaty hand. His mouth is dry. The words almost die in his throat. The next few seconds will determine if they form a partnership that will last a lifetime or if they go their separate ways. Quietly he chokes out.” Will you marry me?” He has rehearsed these words a hundred times today. Her eyes fill with tears, spilling over running down her cheeks. “Yes or yes, “she cries. He sighs with relief.
The killer chased her. Or? The trees flash past. Terror is tearing her heart out. She is bawling. Tears fly off her flushed cheeks. She screams but there is no one to hear her pleading. Death is coming. He is seconds behind her; the knife raised in his hand. She stumbles going down. She’s up in an instant. He slashes missing her shoulder by an inch. She cries “Please God. Help me. Oh, please help me.” Will God hear her? She’s not sure. But the killer does. He has killed before. Her heart pounds sweat and tears mix dripping off her chin, flying off her ears. The hunting knife slashes this time, finding its mark.
The writer’s job is to help the reader see the story. If we cannot convey the emotions, the narrative will fall flat. We, as authors, paint a picture the reader can see, feel, and experience. We put the reader in the middle of the action.
He asks her to marry him. Or? A young couple stood in the park, holding hands. The light of a full moon filtered through the leaves of a giant oak. Her lips curled in the cute smile he loved. This was the moment he prayed and waited for. He is glad they are in the shadow of the street lamp. This way, she couldn’t see the flush on his cheeks. He goes to one knee. He fumbles with the small box in his sweaty hand. His mouth is dry. The words almost die in his throat. The next few seconds will determine if they form a partnership that will last a lifetime or if they go their separate ways. Quietly he chokes out.” Will you marry me?” He has rehearsed these words a hundred times today. Her eyes fill with tears, spilling over running down her cheeks. “Yes or yes, “she cries. He sighs with relief.
The killer chased her. Or? The trees flash past. Terror is tearing her heart out. She is bawling. Tears fly off her flushed cheeks. She screams but there is no one to hear her pleading. Death is coming. He is seconds behind her; the knife raised in his hand. She stumbles going down. She’s up in an instant. He slashes missing her shoulder by an inch. She cries “Please God. Help me. Oh, please help me.” Will God hear her? She’s not sure. But the killer does. He has killed before. Her heart pounds sweat and tears mix dripping off her chin, flying off her ears. The hunting knife slashes this time, finding its mark.
The writer’s job is to help the reader see the story. If we cannot convey the emotions, the narrative will fall flat. We, as authors, paint a picture the reader can see, feel, and experience. We put the reader in the middle of the action.
