The Thing about Writing

Mar 14th, 2009 3:10:00am

The thing about writing is you can’t just babble on about complete nonsense. Unless, of course, you’re inclined to do so. You have to have something to write about; a story to tell. A tale to ensnare a reader’s imagination and take them to a world completely different from their own. A writer has to say the right thing in the right way to produce that right effect, and that isn’t always easy.

I don’t claim to be an expert. At all. In fact, I am probably the worst writer there is. But I know what a writer should do, even if I don’t know how to do it myself. There’s just this way about all those accomplised authors out there. It’s amazing how they put their words together and for an hour or so [depending on the length of the book] make you forget completely about the rest of the world. It’s amazing the depth of their imagination and creativity. I mean, how many people can take you to another place entirely simply with their words?

I admire those who possess the talent required for the art of the written word. And even more, I admire those who made it into the publishing world and have managed to stay there for years. Anyone can write. But only the great ones make a successful profession of it. Examples include Diana Wynne Jones, Neil Gaiman, Nora Roberts, and even the writers of old such as Charles Dickens, Jane Austen, the Bronte sisters. These people have captured our imaginations for years.

The thing about writing is that you have to have a story to tell. The people I mentioned above did. And hopefully, someday, so will I.

Because the thing about writing is that you can never get enough of it. There’s always another world to explore; another battle against evil to be won; another mystery to be solved; another set of lovers to be reunited. There’s always another tale to be told.