Becoming a Writer

[womanofletters]

by Woman of Letters

Learning to write means learning to listen. To really hear the words on the page. To slide the syllables across your tongue like you’re tasting your last meal, memorizing the flavors and finding the feelings they create. Words are like a banquet when properly prepared.

Comments

[wynefred]

This is all very true! Well put, my friend.

[lolaann1]

Love your characters for all of their foibles, for their strengths and their weaknesses. Respect them

Most definitely. Not sure what bothers me worse: character bashing or white washing.

[hlwar]

Hello! I just stumbled on your blog, but I'm happy to find another fan fiction writer who takes their work seriously. I also love this article! It's beautifully written but with a concise message. It reminds me of how anime icon Hayao Miyazaki views artwork and animation; that you have to understand different people, be open-minded to watching the world, in order to create something believable and relatable, even in a fantasy setting.

I appreciate your thoughts on caring about your characters and having passion for the story. It is so true and often what a lot of potentially good stories lack. I struggle as a writer, and I know my ideas are not overly unique. But one thing I know I have is passion for my characters (perhaps because I fangirl hardcore XD) and a lot of readers see that. I do think that's what makes a mediocre story lifelike and attractive.

Anyway, thank you for sharing!

[womanofletters]

Thank you for the feedback! It's a pleasure to meet another fan fiction writer with equal passion. I look forward to reading some of your entries. As you can probably guess by the delayed response to your comments (and the lack of new content on my blog), RL problems have hit me hard, making it difficult to do much writing. (For more on that, read my friends-only entries on the Tales of the De-apartmented -- which you'll be able to see once I friend you.)

Do you have a link to anything by Hayao Miyazaki? I know I can probably google him, but I'm taking the lazy, and more friendly course, by showing interest and asking. :)

Woman of Letters

[hlwar]

You're welcome! I've been trying to establish myself as a writer so I'm more than happy to support others who take the craft seriously. And it is wonderful you post these helpful, well-written articles.

Thank you for friending me back! I'll have to peruse your previously protected posts, although I hope your real life problems aren't too dire. I understand though, since I'm often beaten down by family and life. I wish you well, and best of luck on getting some writing done!

Hayao Miyazaki is probably most famous for the work Disney licensed, like Spirited Away and Howl's Moving Castle. He is the co-founder of Studio Ghibli, which you may have heard of somewhere. Here's a student video tribute to him, if you'd like to delve further: http://youtu.be/OsUZvc-nwtM

And thanks for showing interest! Not many people are as friendly or open-minded. It's a pleasure talking with you! (*^▽^*)