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AUTHORBUZZ: Discover new books, "meet" the authors and enter to win: Goto: http://authorbuzz.com/dearreader
Dear Reader,
Marlene, a book club reader, asks:
"My writing question to you is, how do you get started writing?
I have set up the perfect place to write with a beautiful view, have all the tools ready, my favorite pens and writing pads, the computer and Roget's Thesaurus at hand, a comfy pillow in the chair to ease the strain of weary bones, a cup of my favorite tea made, dog and kitty treats nearby for the inevitable interruptions. But every time I sit down to write, all the wonderful ideas I've been thinking about for days have somehow become not write-worthy. I've taken how-to classes and read how-to books. I feel over-prepared and under-able to write anything worth reading. So I go clean the kitchen or weed the garden, tasks that I know I'm good at and that give spectacular results with a small investment of time."
--Marlene
Dear Marlene,
Sounds to me like "you're all dressed up with no place to go." I chuckle because I've been there. Years ago I bought a fancy pen, picked out the "just write" notebook, created a romantic writing nook, poured coffee into my favorite mug, twisted up my hair, tucked a glittery pin in it, and finally--I was ready to write. But the moment had passed, so I took a nap instead.
The window dressings in life serve a purpose. They inspire us to dream about what it would feel like to wear that gorgeous skirt on page 23 in the latest designer catalog, or what it would feel like to see our words published in a book. Those dreams keep us pushing forward, but how does a writer get started?
My advice is to forget the window dressings (for now). Grab any pen and pad of paper that's handy, rewrite the paragraph you wrote to me word-for-word about your writing preparations, and after you finishing rewriting the last line, "So I go clean the kitchen or weed the garden, tasks that I know I'm good at and that give spectacular results with a small investment of time," ask yourself why you are good at doing those tasks, then write down your answer and keep on writing. You see, Marlene, you already 'have' started writing--don't stop now.
And when you're finished writing, submit your entry to this year's 10th Annual Write a Dear Reader Contest. Find all the info you need at: http://www.dearreader.com/contest2014/index.html
I can't wait to read your entry.
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Thanks for reading with me. It's so good to read with friends.
Suzanne Beecher
[email protected]
* This month's Penguin Classics book THE BIRD'S NEST by Shirley Jackson. Start reading now and don't forget to enter the drawing for your chance to win a Penguin Totebag: http://www.supportlibrary.com/bc/v.cfm?L=drclassqqxqB1AFE3FA7A33&c=CLASSICS
AUTHORBUZZ: THE SHADOW PRINCE (Fantasy) by Stacey O'Neale
Before sixteen-year-old Rowan can ascend to the throne, his vengeful mother insists he must first prove his loyalty to the fire court by killing the half-human, half-elemental daughter of the air court king. But as he devises a plan, he starts to question whether or not he's capable of completing such a heinous task. And what price he will pay if he refuses?
Go to: http://authorbuzz.com/dearreader click on THE SHADOW PRINCE to find out more about the book and the author, Stacey O'Neale. Send her an email, she'd love to hear from you.
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