The best part of internet access is the many amazing friends I am making from all over the world. One of my newest friends, and certainly one of my favorites, is Sallie Lundy-Frommer. I met Sallie on G+. Sallie has many talents, including writing. I read a sample of her book, a paranormal vampire romance, and this lady's got talent. I can't wait to buy it. Out of 15 reviews, she averages 5 stars! The Kindle version is only $3.99.
Here is Sallie's guest post. At the end of her post, she has been kind enough to give us all her links, so hook up with her. She's a lot of fun and a sweetheart of a lady.
(Image from AmazonSo many times since writing “Yesterday’s Daughter” I’ve been asked about my writing credentials. Where did I study journalism? Did I major in English? Have I taken creative writing or professional writing courses? Most people are just making polite conversation or are simply inquisitive. But for some, it’s a call to prove my ability as a writer, to show my license or display my entrance ticket into the scribblers’ guild. The underlying supposition is that without a formal education geared towards being a writer or journalist one might not be qualified or is deficient in the skills needed to be a writer. When I say “writer”, I’m referring to storytellers, fiction writers. I could cast a wider net and include other types of writing in this conversation, but I won’t. I’m a fiction writer and this is my experience. Until being questioned about my education with respect to writing, I never thought about whether those with formal training to be writers are better qualified, better storytellers. Let me say up front, I’ve only written one book, Yesterday’s Daughter. Prior to Yesterday’s Daughter, I had no experience with creative writing. I’ve made a point stating my writing experience because I want the readers to understand where I’m coming from as a novice author. So with that said, let’s return to the question of storytelling. What makes a great story? What draws you in and keeps you turning pages late into the night? And while there are lots of opinions as to what makes a great story, the one characteristic not debated is having relatable characters. Readers love characters that have flaws, even if those flaws make them want to pull out the hair of the character. The flaws help connect readers with the story or to put it another way, character flaws get readers involved with story, caring for, championing, loving, fearing for, hating or having some strong emotions that tie them to the plot to the tale. What else keeps readers turning pages? Suspense? Tell me, you’ve never sat up late reading because you couldn’t wait to find out who done it? How many cups of tea have you drunk while flying through the pages to see if he would end up with her? For myself, I admit to reading in third gear many times, racing through the pages to find out what would happen. I’ve enjoyed and disliked many a book without considering whether the writer was formally educated to be a writer. Whether someone is a grammarian, can spot a dangling participle at a hundred yards, can un-split a split infinitive in a single bound, doesn’t necessarily make them a better storyteller. For fiction writing the point isn’t to make sure no rules of writing are broken but to spin a great story. I’m not making an argument that a formal education focused on writing isn’t useful. What I am saying is it takes all kinds. Great stories are born from many different mothers. Please, share your thoughts with me. In addition, I’d like say how thankful I am to Donna Yates for allowing me to guest post today.
Amazon paperback: http://www.amazon.com/
Twitter: @Slfrommer
Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/
Sallie, thank you for this great post that many of us can relate to.
LHR, my friends and let's all PAWS for Success.
9 comments:
What a great post! I think Sallie is right when she says that stories come from so many different places. I love to write and I have a couple of degrees- but none of them are in the writing field. Still, I have always loved telling stories- orally and in print. I think people can be formally educated and lack something in their writing (or be excellent, of course)- in the same way some cannnot be formally educated and their writing can be amazing (or not so amazing). Writing comes from inside and we are all different- and so are our stories. :) Thanks for sharing!
Stephanie,
We are so on the same plate. Writing stories, night tales, fairy tales, whatever you want to call them....they come from the imagination, from inside, as you put it.
Our life experiences or events we witness both great and small stir into the magic place where the imagination marinates until a story or some other creative endeavor is born.
Stephanie, thanks for stopping by the share.
This line says it all:
"For fiction writing the point isn’t to make sure no rules of writing are broken but to spin a great story."
Great post! Spinning your words into the web of good stories enriches the world just that much more! ~ Jess
Thank you for commenting, Jess, and for that great quote.
Stephanie, you are right. Storytellers weave all sorts of tales.
You have the best guest posts, Donna. Nice to meet you Sallie.
Thank you, Barbara.
That cover is stunning!
It is, isn't it Kelly? Thank you for your comment.
Post a Comment