Exploring Other Writing Outlets
If you're like most writers, you probably consider yourself a certain kind of writer. I'm reminded of our writing group and conferences I've been to. The conversation usually starts with something like, "So, what do you write?" and the response is usually something along the lines of magazine articles, short stories, novels, or screen plays. I generally tell people I write novels. But that's a little limiting. Actually, I've written several articles, have had a couple of short stories published, and have one novel published. Over the weekend, I was working on a short story for my writing group's anthology, and a poem appeared in the margins. Bit by bit, word by word, with lots of doodling. There are a couple of very good poets in our writing group, which generally makes me self-conscious about my lack of knowledge when it comes to poetry. But I took the plunge and uploaded it to the group, and opened myself up to critiques. One of my fellow writers, Carolyn Branch, whose opinion I value, told me it was good. It really made me feel good - it was empowering to hear that. And it got me to thinking about the way I write. I tend to think very narrowly about my writing, in terms of I write this, not that. But why? Why can't I write poetry? Maybe I should really, truly, and honestly try to do Script Frenzy next month and give the scriptwriting thing a try.
Maybe that's the trick. Maybe writing is like getting your body in shape. I have often thought that writing requires muscle. I am going to start exercising that muscle, toning it, getting it in shape. And that means doing more than just one type of exercise. I have been jogging, but it's time to add some calisthenics and strength training to the mix.
And this is a great time to do it. I'm trying to get in shape physically, so now it's time to get the creative side of me in shape, too!
By the way, if you're looking for a nice read, take a look at The Storyteller magazine. My short story, The Train Yard, appears in the January/February/March 2008 issue. I'm excited about it - I recently purchased a subscription to the magazine, and plan to make a gift of another subscription to the local library.
Now, I've got to get back to my family . . . they're feeling neglected!
And your job is to find a new way to exercise your writing muscle. What new thing are you going to try?
Happy exercising,
Elle
Maybe that's the trick. Maybe writing is like getting your body in shape. I have often thought that writing requires muscle. I am going to start exercising that muscle, toning it, getting it in shape. And that means doing more than just one type of exercise. I have been jogging, but it's time to add some calisthenics and strength training to the mix.
And this is a great time to do it. I'm trying to get in shape physically, so now it's time to get the creative side of me in shape, too!
By the way, if you're looking for a nice read, take a look at The Storyteller magazine. My short story, The Train Yard, appears in the January/February/March 2008 issue. I'm excited about it - I recently purchased a subscription to the magazine, and plan to make a gift of another subscription to the local library.
Now, I've got to get back to my family . . . they're feeling neglected!
And your job is to find a new way to exercise your writing muscle. What new thing are you going to try?
Happy exercising,
Elle
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