Tuesday, August 7, 2007

Experience

When I was about twelve I decided I was going to write a novel. Excitedly I found my mom's electric typewriter in the basement and gave it what I was sure was going to be a permanent home on the desk in my room. I decided that my story was going to be a scary story about five friends who get stuck in an amusement park after hours with some kind of psycho, their adventures, mishaps and close escapes. I proceeded to name them all: Jake, Tiffany, Randy, Ginger and Janie. These names are easy to remember, you see, because they were the names of my closest friends at the time.

I wrote three pages, and as I held up the product of my days work, I was proud. The goal was to finish chapter one in the next few days.

The length of that book remains three pages.

I had started writing without a real plot lined up (I figured that would naturally unfold as I went along) and when I came back to start at page four, I had no idea what needed to happen, I got discouraged, and after several months the electric typewriter went back into storage.

This was my first fiction writing attempt.

Writing was always a strength through High School and I majored in English Literature in college. I wrote so many papers and essays my brain turned to pudding and I swore I would never read a "classic" again. I wrote in a journal at that time, "I used to write and wonder at the genius of it. That was before I was made to read real writing and poetry, forced to see how dim my own thoughts are next the brightness of the greats." I lost my confidence. I read Harry Potter. I married. Children came. I wrote now and then when inspiration hit, but it was mostly non-fiction. I read. A lot. (Yes, even classics)

But I still think about that book I started to write when I was twelve. Not really the book itself, but the excitement about writing it. I still feel that. I desperately want to write.

I don't know any writers personally. There are not many I associate with who share my enthusiasm. I'm still looking for my voice, picking through technique, plotting, characterization. I feel tiny, but I want to grow.

I hope that those who read this blog will look past my lack of experience and help me along my path. I have many questions, much admiration to hand out, and a burning desire to be a writer.



Vocabulary Word of the Day:
CADRE - noun - a nucleus of trained personnel around which a larger organization can be built; A tightly knit group of zealots in a revolutionary party.

11 comments:

Anonymous said...

Interesting post, and one I can relate to. Other than my National Novel Writing Month novel (which I'm scared to even look at), three pages would probably beat any novel attempt I have.

I wrote a post today about what my strategy is going to be for my next novel attempt. Maybe you will find it helpful.

Hoodie said...

Good luck! I'm in your corner. Other's successes (or even hopes) are very encouraging for me.

I think your plot premise is very promising. I really like that idea.

SzélsőFa said...

Oh how I love this entry.
I've heard myself saying 'I'm not measuring up to those I admire for their style, stories, characters, whatever', much in the past, too.
I don't know if I can be of any help in your path, ever, for I'm not a writer, but I'd love to see how thing turn out for you. Good luck.

Jaye Wells said...

Your desire is obvious. So is your talent. We all help each other out in various ways. That's part of the beauty of the writing community. For the most part it's incredibly supportive.

Hoodie said...

szelsofa - I'm the queen at second guessing myself, but I'm finally getting old enough to realize I don't have an endless amount of time to reach for my dreams. You gotta just put yourself out there.

jaye- Thank you for your compliments. That means a lot coming from you.

Anonymous said...

With a positive outlook like the one you have, you will have every tool and opportunity to succeed.

Hoodie said...

Encouragement rocks!
Thanks. :)

The Quoibler said...

Hoodie:

You are so earnest in your desire that you are bound to succeed!

Personally, I would rather read the musings of 1,000 "inexperienced" but ENERGIZED writers than one 500-word piece written by a dull guy/gal who hates his/her journalism job.

YOU rock!

Angelique

Hoodie said...

Angelique, will you be my best friend?

The Quoibler said...

You know it!

:)

Seriously, don't you feel so supported by most of the writers you meet in the blogosphere? I mean, some of them can be a little... ummm... MUCH... but most of them are sincere and quite open to mentoring others.

I actually love it when people I help do better than I do. Being able to guide others is just plain enjoyable. I try to do it daily by allowing my son to be himself.

Angelique

Hoodie said...

Without the writers I've come across blogging I would not even consider doing myself.