Yesterday I was run ragged, that is to say I was tired. I could not get to the library which is where I normally type in this blog. I thought I might be able to do this at home but I was wrong. I was a victim of my own routines.
So I thought I might talk about how to make time to write today.
Excep[t that I fell asleep trying to think of something to say.
Today I thought I would do something different - post a picture. So I used the Flickr pictures that are available and came away with this one on the left.
I do not know what is it is (it looks a crystal) but that is why I chose it. I wanted a picture that looked good and had no apparent idea (in my mind at least) of what it was. I like the mystery involved in deciding what could the picture be of.
I think one of the real good exercises for me is to write about a picture like this. What kind of a story can be constructed by this picture. What kind of mood ? A better picture might be of a person - then a storyteller could maklle up a story about this person's pose or look. But mostly today, I was in the mood to try something different, so I chose this picture because it looks nice and does not seem to have any meaning.
I think that pictures in doctor's offices are like that too. They look okay but don't seem to inspire much meaning.
To me, a good story needs to have both - good looks and meaning. The meaning can be like an aftertaste - something that kicks in after the story is read. Something that makes the reader reread the story - something that makes the reader think twice. However, a story does not have to have a deep meaning to be entertaining. I believe that a story needs to be above all else - entertaining enough. This means that if you are writing a deep and heavy emotional story, you must have enough entertainment in it to keep the reader reading. That takes talent and drive and that is what separates the real writers and storytellers from the want-to-be's.
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The advice came from R. Crumb:
If you want to be good at illustration - draw everyday twice a day, and then do more drawing in your free time. This truth can be extrapolated to include writing.
If I want to be good at writing - I need to write in all forms as much as I can stand (and then I need to practice even more).
I know that sounds a bit obsessive but the alternative - what I have been doing in my previous writing life - writing once a week - is not good enough.
This is why I do my writing blog. This is why I post these stories and poems here on this website - It is all part of my practice. It is all part of me trying to get better at my craft.
I write because I love writing. I love crafting a story, hooking the reader and telling a timeless tale. I love evoking emotions - I love bringing out in the reader ideas and feelings that they thought impossible. I love showing people that the world is always more than they thought it was.
I started this entry yesterday when I was feeling low on energy. Today I feel full of energy and desire to write. Today I am full of the muse. Today I want to practice some more. Hopefully, a couple of stories and a couple of poems too.
She bent over to me as I sat at my desk - her blouse was provocatively half unbuttoned. "I can teach you," she whispered into my ear. She pursed her lips and gently blew over the surface of my face. Her scent of lavender was all around me, pulling me to her lips. "I know all about hooking." she whispered. I was young, eager, and ready to learn. In the course of the next hour I learned and learned.
One of the first lessons that I tell my writing students is about the hook. The hook of course refers to the reason (or lure) why the reader of your story needs to read further. The hook can range from a word to a whole paragraph. It can even be a whole first chapter - it depends upon the writer.
I, myself, prefer to use multiple hooks. One can be the first paragraph with the next few paragraphs setting up a larger major hook. Even if the I am writing an essay or a blog - there is need to keep the reader entranced. The first paragraph here is a hook. I am teasing the reader, dr0pping hints as to what is to follow.
"There is so much to learn," she sighed as she puffed on her cigarette, "but today you have done well. I think I will teach you more tomorrow." I raised my hand to protest. "My dear teacher," I sighed muskily, "I am ready to practice what I have learned again."
She smiled and put out her fag. "Then let's get to it." she said huskily.
Yes, today I must try to come up with a good hook for my new story. The problem is the beginning has two letters (postal letters) to be read. I think that I need to install a premise - such as the person reading the letters - tell why she needs to reread these letters. I think that the letters alone will not be a good enough hook. And so that is why I am practicing write hooks in this blog.
Suddenly, there was a noise coming from the front door of the apartment. A key was turning in the lock. She gasped "Oh my God, I think my husband is home!" True to her words, a man opened the front door and announced "Honey, I am home!" in a loud voice.
The hook makes the reader what happens next. Some readers are savvy enough to skip the educational parts but most are not and that is what I am counting on here - that you will keep reading. In the short story, the hook is essential to keeping the reader engrossed (or not bored). The key to good writing is to keep the reader engaged.
Sadly, this afternoon affair, had to come to an end. I had no idea she was attached to another but to be honest I did not care. The bedroom window was already open, as it was a hot day and she was fast enough to dump my clothes after me out the window. Luckily, there were enbough bushes for me to dress but unluckily they were thorn bushes. Still I was feeling no pain. And that semester, I did get an "A" in creative writing.
I had learned my lessons about hooking. Always have a backup plan and an escape from the perils in mind. I still using her lessons in my writing to this very day.
Not a true story but hey it kept you reading unti