Pages

Tuesday, July 26, 2005

To Write Or Not To Write...That Is the Question

I guess ever since I started this blog, I have been thinking about writing. Back in my high school days, I used to write. I was working on a novel that, looking back now was written in a very unprofessional-highschool girl talk sort of way. It contained the typical teenage lingo and was written from a teenage viewpoint. The problem was (well at least one of them), that my characters were at least ten years older than I was at the time. How could I write about experiences from a 26 year old perspective, when I was only 16? It was also not researched well, since I didn't know what to research or how to go about doing that. I basically kept to situations that I would not have to research. I have also long since destroyed that awful piece of fiction, as well as other stories that I had worked on.

Not too long ago, I came across three or four typed pages of a story I had started at one time. I laughed so hard at that! The story was crazy, the characters again were in their 20's though I was writing as a teen, they even spoke like teenagers...I tossed that into the trash very quickly, and hope that no one saw it before the trash got taken out!

From time to time, I get in the mood to start writing again. I attempted it about 12 years ago, this time trying my hand at children's stories. I do not recall what I wrote about, except for one short story about a little girl and her cat. Again, I do not think it was very well written because I had not research children's books to see how to write, etc. However, I suppose I can use all of this as a learning experience in what not to do...

One of my online IM chat buddies, Jessica (who describes herself as spastic but sweet) is also a writer. I have read some of her short stories, and she is great! She has had three stories published in an online magazine, and one in a newsletter. She is also working on some other Christian/Biblical type stories. I know she will do well with writing because I think she is gifted in this area! She has encouraged me to write, and she also inspires me as well. She told me that she has seen the writer in me and that I should pursue this. I have had a few others say that I should do this too.

I feel that I want to pursue this, however I lack the confidence I think. I also think that there is some fear at work...fear of rejection (which I know is pretty much a given), fear of failure, fear of what people will think of my work, etc. I guess this is something that the Lord will have to help with. I know some areas in my writing that definately need to be worked on and developed. I just need to be persistant and not quite when I get writer's block.

I sat at work today mulling this thought over. I wondered what I would write, what kind of genre, thinking up some characters and situations. I wondered if this is something I can do, or if it is something I should do. I suppose I can at least try and see where it leads me, see how it works out, do some research on subjects/ideas for future endeavours in this. I feel stories deep down inside that desire to be born, characters waiting to be developed...they say that everyone has a story to tell, but I wonder...do I? Do I have what it takes to be a writer? I guess I will never know unless I try.

7 comments:

Live, Love, Laugh said...

If you have the desire to write, then perhaps God is giving you something to say. I say
Go For It! what do you have to lose?

Matthew said...

My oh my, when you talked about those stories you wrote as a teen, I remembered some of the trash I wrote as a teen... Ugh!

Either way, I know that when it comes to writing, there will be rejection, period. It's a given fact of life. People don't always see the potential or worth of a good story told well, and simply reject material out of hand.

I think that if you can learn to accept that, and just concentrate on writing the best story you can, you'll do well.

Can't wait to read some of it.

~Suzii~ said...

Shelley...

I have wanted to write something/anything all my life. I used to ask my mama at a very early age what I should write about. I can still hear her voice saying..."Well sweetheart, you should write about something you know." If in fact you have the desire to write... whatever it is inside you will come out naturally! Patience is the biggest thing really. I have several books that I would like to write... but they are from God... and they have not completely formulated yet... so I continue to wait patiently for all my thoughts and God's will in this area to come to an outpouring and opening point. Until then... I blog! Get's me in practice... and keeps my fires burning! (With God, Shelley, all things are possible, believe and have faith in the impossible!!!) :-)
~Suzii~

Joe said...

You ARE a writer. I just read something you wrote...and it was GOOD.

As I understand it, the best thing to write about is what you know about.

Any way, I just want to encourage you to do what your heart (under God's leadership) is telling you.

Unknown said...

Shelly: I saw your comments on my husband (Joe Jottings)post and decided to check out your website. I enjoy reading your site.God Bless You.

Unknown said...

jess: Don't you have a blog site?

Anonymous said...

I''m not familiar with this subject but interesed.