Comments on: YOU CAN WRITE A BOOK – Part one

By: Corinne

Corinne — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 21:13:41 +0000

Welcome to the club of obsessive compulsive writers, Arlene.

I have been known to wake up at 3 AM to write something down. It is usually gone in the morning!

Got to catch that thought while it’s hot.

By: Arlene deWinter

Arlene deWinter — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 18:41:01 +0000

Another great post!
I wanted to say to lady up there who talked about the weaving and the knitting…not everyone has to be a writer to tell stories or describe their life. weaving and knitting are about your life too. Visual artists put their heart and soul into pictures, scientists put it into science. I write because I have to write, because I love to write and there are things inside of me that have to come out in that way. It isn’t about ‘discipline’ or ‘time’, I get up at 7:00AM, eat breakfast, get back in bed an work on my novel for 2 hours. (I work part time, evenings so I can have my mind fresh for writing.) Then I get on with day which usually includes blogging. Then work. Writing comes first, food and shelter second. LOL!
I have four novels in various stages and one outlined that will be a seller but I need to travel a bit to get it right and don’t have the money just now. Plus when I am writing HOT, the first pouring out draft, I am obsessed and can’t stop writing and thinking about the book so I postpone it now to learn blogging. I have only one brain, and need four more for storage as it is.
I didn’t mean this to be discouraging, but to share what a passion for writing is about. It can be induced when you know what are burning to say.
Cheeers,
Arlene

By: Corinne

Corinne — Sat, 13 Jun 2009 18:56:00 +0000

Dear Reed -

As usual, a brilliant observation from you.

Ramsey Lewis was my neighbor when I lived downtown. Not only a great composer but the most friendly person. Always made a point to say hello.

Wish I had heard the concert. What a gift he is to the world.

Do I write in the present tense? I think so. Tell me. I never really thought about it.

By: Reed

Reed — Sat, 13 Jun 2009 18:37:22 +0000

Yes, Corinne, as so many have already said: Great advice…especialy “just start writing”. I share a similiar bit of advice a wife gave her husband regarding a project he was having difficulty with many months ago: “just start playing”!. That piece of advise culminated in “blowing the roof off” Ravinia Park last night when Ramsey Lewis presented in full concert the world premiere of his symphonic poem in 8 movements, “Proclamation of Hope”, a tribute to Abraham Lincoln’s 200th birthdy. WOW!

As Debra Picket, herself a magnificant writer, describes it in an interview with Ramsey and his wife, Jan, “whom Lewis describes as his muse, watched him struggle for a while and then made the suggestion that led to his brakthrough: ‘Why don’t you just play? Just sit at the piano and set your tape recrder.” That was what I did and, when I listened to the tapes, lo and behold, there was something there to work with!”

I did click on to your previous articles about writing and strongly DISAGREE with Steve: “Always write in the past tense”. No..no..no, Corinne, ALWAYS write in the present tense! Words come alive in the present tense. They tend to be lifeless in the past tense….just like we become.

By: Robert A. Henru

Robert A. Henru — Sun, 27 Apr 2008 23:43:50 +0000

Corinne,
thanks for this message.. I like the idea of begin first, start without editing, and start from anywhere. Seems that writing a book is easier than what I have thought of..
Cheers,
Robert

By: Corinne

Corinne — Sat, 26 Apr 2008 20:48:08 +0000

Hi Karen – Karooch -

The starting is the hard part! You are right.

I’ve asked you before – please explain the Karen Karooch name!
What do you like to be called?

By: Karen (Karooch from Scraps of Mind)

Karen (Karooch from Scraps of Mind) — Sat, 26 Apr 2008 05:46:45 +0000

Great advice for anyone who dreams of writing a book Corinne. It’s in the starting that they’ll find out if they really have it in them or not.

By: Corinne

Corinne — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 14:06:38 +0000

Dear Vera -

Sounds like you are busy doing things you love to do. You can write your book later!

By: Corinne

Corinne — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 12:31:22 +0000

Dear Chris -

Wish I had your discipline. I know that is the correct drill.

One day I will do it that way!

Thanks for reminding us.

By: Chris

Chris — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 12:19:54 +0000

The most important thing is to sit down everyday and write your quota of words – whatever you decide it will be. No excuses – no extra cups of coffee. Write and don’t get up until you’ve finished. If you feel really kind you can have the weekend off.