What's the Big Idea, Anyway?

Caroline Sharp, author of A Writer’s Workbook, suggests using a large three ring binder as an Idea Book for collecting your brainstorms, bits of overheard conversations, story plots, hunches, clippings, short descriptions, sketches, photographs – anything. Tip: tape or staple those bright idea napkins to a sheet of notebook paper and file them in your idea book. Better yet, start carrying 3” x 5” index cards for jotting your ideas.

Your Idea Book follows no rules but your own. Put it together as you please. If want your Idea Book causal and messy, that’s your business. If you are the more organized type, you can organize your book with color-coded page dividers and retype those scribbles from scraps of paper. It’s up to you. Since your Idea Book is a working document, organize it any way that works for you.

Waiting for the Muse

For centuries, writers praised the Muse or lamented her absence. In the Muse’s presence, words poured forth in abundance and without effort. When the Muse flees, the right words are as hard to find as an oasis in the desert. While some of history’s greatest writers believed literally in the Muse, most regarded her as a metaphor for a state of inspired creativity.

Still today, some writers idle away the hours waiting for the Muse to arrive. However, most of the prolific writers I know would tell you that the Muse is more likely to show up when you are already typing. Also, I’ve heard rumors that the Muse does not have a Starbucks card.

A Good Time to Write

As I write this, the house is dark and quiet. It’s also early morning and the stresses of the day haven’t arrived yet. A good time to write. Yes, yes it is, and I'm taking advantage of it. However . . .

I will manage to write some more during the hectic hours of the day ahead. I have an appointment at 10:00 A.M. and another one at 11. The 10 o’clock should run 30 – 40 minutes and it will take me about five minutes to walk to my 11:00 A.M. meeting. The 15- to 20-minute break between meetings is a chance to put a few words on the page. It' a tiny block of time, but I’ll get some words on the page. Guaranteed.

I know I’ll put words on the page because I’ve left myself an unfinished sentence to kick start my micro-writing session. I relish those tiny blocks of time to get a little bit of writing done.

By the way, that’s how James Patterson got started. Why do you think his chapters are so short?

Write to Remember

Much of my writing involves memoir or personal essays. Obviously, these forms rely heavily on memory. Unfortunately, memory is not what it used to be. However, you can strengthen specific memories and enrich your personal reflections as a consequence. Let me give you an example.

During the summer between my junior and senior years in high school, a friend and I hitchhiked from Northern California to Yuma, Arizona, and back. Some memories are clear, such as the ride in the back of a police cruiser just outside of San Diego. Other memories, such as how long we went without eating after we ran out of money, are less vivid.

Fortunately, I can telephone my high school buddy, Mike, and ask him to help me recall the details. I can also talk with Mike's older sister about the trip. We showed up on her doorstep in Yuma on a hot day in the middle of July as unexpected and uninvited guests. She remembers the incident very clearly. My memory is also helped by looking at a big roadmap of California and Arizona. California and Arizona newspapers from that summer also help stimulate memories. Looking at a picture of a Studebaker Hawk also conjures up images of my youth and that particular summer, but that's another story.

Just this brief sampling of memory joggers show how fading memories can be revived and enhanced. The resulting essay, story or memoir gains more depth and richness.

Don't Feel Like Writing Today?

Writing is hard work. Many days I would rather clean the mold out of the grout in my shower than write. In fact, today was one of those days. So was yesterday, and I expect the same will be true tomorrow. Maybe you are having that kind of day too.

As with many writers, you and I may have a case of the "don't feel like writing today blues." It's going around, I hear. But here's a surefire way to beat those blues: Write anyway.

The only way to get work done is to do it. If you worked in a coal mine, you might not feel like going to work. In fact, I can almost guarantee it. However, you would still go work if that were your job.

Writing is your job. You chose it (or maybe it chose you). Now, do your job and put some words on the page -- particularly if you don't feel like it. After you have put one word after another for awhile you will start to feel better.

I promise.

DB DEWER

Have You Written Your Journal Pages Today?

I stretch my writing muscles every day by writing in my journal. The journal is personal, meaning that I don't share what I write there with anyone on a routine basis. My journal allows me to limber up and get prepared for the more organized writing I will do that day.

Almost anything might show up in my journal. Overheard bits of conversation show up there. Ideas for articles, books and stories find their way there. My journal contains a number of rants that I hope never see the light of day anywhere else. I track my progress on my writing goals in the journal, noting religiously how many words I wrote yesterday. (The words written in the journal don't count toward my daily total.)

If you haven't written your journal pages today, get to it.

DB

50 Reasons to Write

If you entertain exalted ideas about why you should write, I want to challenge your assumptions. Of course, there are high-minded reasons to write, there are low-down reasons as well. Let's celebrate writing and encourage writers, regardless of motives. So, with apologies to Paul Simon, here are 50 Reason to Write:


1. To inform.

2. To persuade.

3. To learn.

4. To outrage.

5. To feel better.

6. To document.

7. To maintain sanity.

8. To motivate yourself.

9. To amuse others.

10. To amuse yourself.

11. To insult.

12. To woo.

13. To fool.

14. To sell.

15. To get famous.

16. To make money.

17. To tell a story.

18. To impress.

19. To ask for a job.

20. To praise.

21. To propagandize.

22. To swear loyalty.

23. To pledge eternal love.

24. To tell a joke.

25. To cause sexual arousal.

26. To give directions.

27. To remind ourselves.

28. To pay tribute to.

29. To bring a tear.

30. To roast.

31. To worship.

33. To reveal evil.

34. To celebrate accomplishment.

35. To call a meeting.

36 To say "I'm sorry."

37. To become a fan.

38. To resign from a job.

39. To win a grant.

40. To complete an assignment.

41. To express an opinion.

42. To make create pleasing sounds to be read aloud.

42. To rebut.

43. To defend.

44. To attack.

45. To remember what to get at the store.

46. To agree to a contract.

47. To create a song.

49. To express grief.

50. To say "I love you."


We write for noble reasons, base reasons and no reasons at all. Now get busy stringing some words together.