I have read a lot of articles and heard lots of advice on writing. Here I will share some of what I have learned from the experts and a few common sense filters to fill in the gaps. Like so many of my fellows, I love to help others to get their feet wet and jump into the pool with polished authors. I am not an expert, just a writer with a passion to get better and pass along any good tips I find laying around.

Reading – 1/12/24

Yes, it’s been a long while since I’ve dropped a hint on writing. Maybe it’s because I ran out of hints? No, I have violated the first rule instead. What’s the first rule of writing? C’mon guys, you know what it is!

The first rule of writing is always to just write! In my case I’ve gone a long while sitting on my writing hand (or hands, as I usually use a keyboard). Of course that doesn’t mean I haven’t written, because I have. I’ve finished two books and have been working feverishly lately on a third. Still, I insist, I’ve been sitting (metaphorically) on my hands. I have ignored the second rule of writing, be “consistent in your writing.” Meaning that you consistently set time aside to write.

There’s a third rule in this litany of lessons, (you knew it was coming) it is to read. Reading in the genre you choose to write helps you learn and develop a style. Successful authors read a lot. I read a lot, but nothing close to what my wife Trena reads. She devours book after book after book (you should see our Amazon bill). In the end, I find her critique the most valuable because she has read the most. If it keeps her interest and even better, if she enjoys it, it is a good book. 

My first love is writing in memoir or creative historical genres, but I also have a love for crime fiction. I didn’t see that coming at all, until my closest friend wanted to write a book he’d nurtured in his mind for years. He proposed we write it together, thus “Stained Brass” was birthed. There was a problem, however; I was not at all familiar with the genre. I do not typically read crime genre novels.

I had to change my reading habits in order to change my writing style. Or so I thought. It wasn’t exactly my writing style that needed to change as much as my expertise in things criminal. To learn, I started reading crime and justice type novels, now that I’m back working on a historical novel I’m reading historians, historical fiction, and history related materials.

So, the upshot of this article is: read, read, read and write. write, write. And do it consistently. Set aside the time you need. One hour or twenty minutes as long as you do it consistently. Don’t do as I have done, but do as I have wished I’d done. Durrone

Differences – 10/2/21

As a writer, do you compare yourself to other writers? Do you see yourself as inadequate? Or superior somehow to other writers? Do you seee yourself a failure? Or all of the above?

oWell, here are some words of encouragement! At one point or another, we all compare ourselves to someone. We think we’re not “measuring up” to what we think the “ideal” should be. I say, “knock it off!”

The marvel of Creation is: We are all different. Some of us are more different than others, but that’s for another article. This article is for exploring and appreciating those differences. What you may believe are flaws could be another’s person’s ideal. Do you think that you’re too slow in getting projects completed? I do. It took me three years to finish writing The Feather Bed and another three before it was published. Maybe you are able to write a complete novel in a month like my beautiful talented granddaughter Kyra. It doesn’t matter. You are you and the key to great writing is, do it the way you are comfortable doing it. The joy is lost when you pressure yourself into something painful.

Now, don’t get me wrong, I think that pressuring yourself to accomplish a goal is beneficial. It just shouldn’t be excruciatingly painful. When you try to emulate someone else’s accomplishments, you are being dishonest with yourself. Quit worrying about what others are doing and just do the very best that you are capable of doing. It will surprise you how great you are on your own!

Back to Work – 9/19/21

Well, it’s about time I came up with another fantastic writing tip for you. I’ve been hearing a lot of good ones from incredibly talented authors in recent weeks and need to pass them on. Not all at once of course. I need to spread them out a bit or else there would be an overload on the web server.

Today I’m encouraging you to look at your characters. Plucking fascinating people from your head like Zeus, is quite natural for some and extremely painful for others. The process however, should not be painful for your readers. A solid appealing character, even in the smallest of roles, is important.

What I like to do is anticipate the individuals I’m going to invite into my tale. It is an audition, if you will. It takes place entirely upon the stage I’ve set up in my mind. I interview the applicants by finding out as much as I can of their personal lives, their backgrounds, their talents, their choices in life, and their perspectives. When I know enough about them I assign them a role as I would if directing a play.

Interestingly, writing nonfiction differs very little with the exception that historical characters (real people) come to me with background information already completed. All I need do is fill out personality charts based on the circumstances and the actions and activities taking place in the story. A lot of the characters I have developed are real people. They actually exist or existed in my life at some point and their characteristics get planted in the characters I write about. In The Feather Bed, Tommy Tomkins is a picture of my uncle Bus. Jane Elizabeth, Tommy’s wife, is essentially my aunt Mildred. In Stained Brass, Miles tends to be like me personality wise and David is definitely my co-author and best friend, Pastor Dave.

For.each of my characters there is a bio written out or summarized with vital information. Dates and place of birth, school information, employment history, where they grew up, where they live now, etc. All the pertinent information you would have if you knew this person well. It’s a fun exercise. A footnote here would be helpful though. Some characters you do not need to know that well, just as in life, people come and go that you can only guess about. But all your major characters deserve a full life and you get to give it to them!

Tips or Tags

The very best writing advice I’ve ever received was: just don’t quit. Once started, keep going till you get there. Writing is, after all, a journey. Some long, some short, some boring some wondrous, some by Turtle back and some by Rocket ship, all will get you there if you don’t get off.

Perspiration and perseverance are the keys to success in about every worthwhile endeavor. Hanging in there no matter what, brought us the light bulb and every great book ever written. If you are having trouble with interruptions or suffering from a case of procrastinator fever, don’t worry. These are things we all deal with, especially the latter. The key is pushing yourself even through the dry times. Assign yourself a time during each day to scribble something. Journal, or write a comment on Facebook, or Twitter, or a personal letter, or email someone. As long as it involves creating a string of meaningful words in a sentence.

It’s like exercise, you build muscles and endurance as you go.

Here’s another Tip.

When writing a story or a novel or a poem, use every possible reference book or app available AFTER you’ve written your first draft. Personally editing your work is not that difficult with most of today’s Word Processing programs. Spell checking and grammar programs are a godsend when you are polishing your work. Saves money too. When a professional editor gets their hands on a raw manuscript with tons of misspelled or misused words, their price goes up. Do yourself a favor and use the tools available to get it right. There will be corrections necessary, I guarantee it! My own work proves it.

Not everyone who writes successfully is an English Comp Major, or Master Editor, or even a great speller. Some really great authors have problems too. So don’t get upset if an editor draws a bunch of red lines through your work. Those are educational opportunities. Get the most out of them and prosper.

Spelling, Punctuation, and grammatical uses of certain words are the most common errors we make as writers. It’s nothing to be ashamed of, just something to learn from. I majored in English in College, and I have been writing for most of my life in one capacity or another and I am still learning at my age. So use the tools and keep on going!! Write, write,

So, you want to be a writer? Write books, make lots of money, get multi-million-dollar movie contracts, walk the Red Carpet and be famous? But where do you start? 

Lots of people just want to write. They’re not too interested in publishing but love to be a part of the artistic community. Most all of us who do write, love writing and reading what others have written. We write because there is an urge that is irresistible, and we read for the same reason. It is a passion and an obsession.

If you have dreamed of becoming a writer, the first step is to simply sit down with pen or pencil or a computer and begin. Don’t start with the idea of creating the great American novel. Start with a story of when the neighbor’s dog bit you, or when Aunt Maude used to come over and pinch your cheeks before handing you a huge lollipop. Something simple, something personal, something human.

When I was in sixth grade, I loved horse stories. I read lots of them. One that especially caught my attention was Sea Star, Orphan of Chincoteague by Marguerite Henry. I think I wound up reading it over and over. Then there was Black Beauty and many others. Finally, I sat down and wrote my own story about a horse and an adventure with a little boy. In Junior High I began writing stories of the macabre inspired by my insatiable appetite for Edgar Allan Poe. I continued writing short stories in High School until a particular teacher squashed my desire through her personal dislike for me. I turned to acting instead of writing.

My one regret is not having continued writing those stories. I wrote treatise, essays, editorials, letters of response and appeals, and I wrote articles and play scripts for Sunday School. I stopped writing what I loved to write, stories. I was sixty-three years old and finishing a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration when I rediscovered my love of writing. I loved writing essays. Doing research, compiling information and organizing it all into a readable, entertaining “story” gave me satisfaction.  In fact, I felt I was cheating the system by enjoying it so much. 

After I retired, I determined writing would be my main pastime and avocation. I had lots to write about. And in the last twelve years I have written two novels and many short stories that I hope to share with you. In the meantime, if you really love to write, then do it! Don’t worry about the grammar, punctuation or structure to start. Just write! Tell your story, you can edit it later. There are writing groups who will help you with that as you grow. Who knows? Maybe one of those stories will get you a multi-million-dollar movie contract and a walk on the Red Carpet.

Happy Writing!

Durrone