Comments on I Have Come To A Decision

Go to I Don't Have the Write! - Add a comment - Go to I Have Come To A Decision

Montezuma,

That's great advice. I love the classics and have read many of them. At one time I did have a great deal of free time at work, not anymore. Luckily I used it very wisely. I went back to school and got my second BS in Computer Science. I already had one in Statistics. Both are pretty worthless in today's world, but they can never be taken away. At least when I tell my kids to hit the books they can't ask me how come I never did.  

posted by canine277 on November 1, 2004 at 5:32 AM | link to this | reply

Good luck to you

Sounds like you don't like your job, welcome to the club - I'm the president.  You said in one of your blogs that you didn't want to write about why you don't like your job.  You didn't want to 'editorialize'.  I was thinking, thats exactly what I want to read!  Let us know, write about it!  Give us the juicy details!

I'm in IT -it's jam packed with arrogant jerkknobbers.  Sounds like your detective cohorts are similar.  Is there any trait worse than arrogance?

I too wish to write.  My motivation is not to be rich or famous.  I just want to write a great and interesting novel for my family and friends to have that will outlast my days.

For a writer I would suggest doing what I do, when I take up something new.  Look at the 'greats' first -read, read, read.  Read Tolstoy, Dickens, Wilde and Thoreau etc.

Read the classics, get a feel for them.   I don't know how your job works but you might have an opportunity that most of us don't, and that is to read while at work.  If you can do this then you are very very lucky and I envy you.  I wish I could do this but I cannot.  I try to read on my lunch hour.  I envy the late night security guards (not their pay) because I see them reading much of the time with no boss to hassle them.  At least they are educating themselves.

Take a night course in writing.  Not that this is the answer, but it will you ideas about structure and the basics of writing (which I need myself) and feedback.

And finally, I would tell a new writer to immerse themselves in education.  The more you know the more you have in your arsenal to write.  Go to museums, planetariums and into the city.  Meet interesting people.  The more interesting you are the more interesting your writing will be.  This is my unproven theory and I'm sticking to it.

Good luck, I'll be looking for your works.

posted by Montezuma on October 31, 2004 at 10:09 AM | link to this | reply

Thanks all,

It's sooooo good to know I have friends.

posted by canine277 on October 28, 2004 at 1:44 PM | link to this | reply

Canine...

It made me very happy to read this.  I have liked you and your writing since I first read you, and I am sure you will do well, Youv'e got everything it takes.  One source i like for marketing material is the writers market.  They print a new one every year, it's a hard back about 3.5 inches thick.  It has submission requirements, publishing stats, all kinds of ggod stuff.  Personally, I don't think it will take you a year.  Write on Brother, write on!

posted by A_Norseman on October 27, 2004 at 5:27 PM | link to this | reply

Canine277

Wow... thanks. I am so sorry I missed the comment. I honestly thought we hadn't met

posted by beachbelle on October 27, 2004 at 5:18 PM | link to this | reply

Hey Merry,

I have a belgian malinois. Does that count, or would you like me to go to Belgium?

posted by canine277 on October 27, 2004 at 5:16 PM | link to this | reply

Beachbelle,

I've read the entire blog TWICE. Didn't you read my thank you. I meant you too.

posted by canine277 on October 27, 2004 at 5:15 PM | link to this | reply

Canine277

Determination is half the battle ....now you need a plan.
If you can bear it ..go back to the very beginning of my So You Want To Be A Writer blog (page 17) where I posted about 30 or so posts with ideas for getting started.
Good luck. I don't know why we haven't met but anyway ......hello and good luck

posted by beachbelle on October 27, 2004 at 2:06 PM | link to this | reply

Canine...

I prefer belgian chocolate... if you don't mind :) (Way to go!)

posted by MerryAnne on October 27, 2004 at 1:52 PM | link to this | reply

Thanks all,

Gee I hope that I can afford the chocolates.

posted by canine277 on October 27, 2004 at 1:48 PM | link to this | reply

I expect a check in the mail with some chocolates. Thanks.

posted by Ariala on October 27, 2004 at 1:30 PM | link to this | reply

Good for you!

Isn't it great to be a writer?!  :)

Good job!  I'm glad you came to this decision!  One year from today you'll not only be a writer, but a published writer!  Go for it!

posted by RachelAnna on October 27, 2004 at 1:26 PM | link to this | reply

Canine - good for you. Huzzah!

posted by Hollee on October 27, 2004 at 1:23 PM | link to this | reply