Dear Reader Column 02-21-08

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Dear Reader,

Readers frequently email and ask questions about writing. How can I become a writer? Should I start writing for the fun of it, or should I write with a goal in mind, such as getting published?

I certainly don't know all of the answers. Every day I discover new things about writing and that's part of the attraction. The more I write, the more I learn about myself. Writing a daily column, it just kind of happened to me. But now that I look back at everything I've done so far in my life, every job and skill that I've learned--I use them in my writing. And it's been that way with every single job I've ever had.

The pieces in my life line up eventually, but I can't say that I've ever set out down a trail with a specific idea and goal in mind. Once I get involved in something, I have goals and ambitions that I shoot for, but I'm the kind of person who goes with her gut. Deep down, if I take the time to listen, I know what's right for me. And it's in that deep down place, where my best writing comes from, too.

When I say 'best' I'm not judging my writing. 'Best' means to me, that it's the writing that makes me cry or laugh--the columns that resonate in my soul. The columns that reaffirm to me, that what I'm doing was meant to be.

How does someone become a writer? You start writing. It sounds way too simple, but it's not. A blank screen in front of anyone can be pretty intimidating and scary.

What should someone write about? I begin by writing about whatever's on my mind. I might not end up using that material for my column, but for some reason I need to get those thoughts out of the way, before I can go any further. And those first rambling thoughts--that's where I always find the good stuff, the stuff I need to hear.

Thanks for reading with me. It's so good to read with friends.

Suzanne Beecher
[email protected] 
http://www.DearReader.com

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Comments

[Doris]

I like what you said in your column today about good or "best" writing - when I post in the book forum and proclaim something to be good or great writing, think your description applies to me as well - if something moves me or speaks to me I consider that to be good writing - of course, then there IS the definition of "Good Writing" which can be described as good but still not something I'm interested in reading - Did any of that make any sense? - Sounds convoluted even to me - but there it stands anyway - Doris -