All of us here on Seekerville have at least one thing in common – we love Story. Whether we’re readers or writers (or both!) we have discovered that there is an enchanting world to be found between the covers of a book.
Authors are often asked questions from readers who would like to become authors themselves. No matter which questions they ask, what they really want to know is:
How do I get from being a reader to being a writer?
How do I prepare for a writing career?
I remember being the one asking these questions. I started asking when I was very young (I attempted to write a script for an episode of the television show, Bonanza, when I was nine years old…yes, that’s how long ago it was!) and I still had questions as I finished school, married, raised my family, and started on the downhill side of middle age.
Today, I’m going to try to answer your questions by giving you the first three of six steps to get from point A (reader) to point B (writer.) The first three steps are in today's post, the last three will be in next month's post (Lord willing.) These steps are meant to be a jumping off point. A place to start digging deeper. A place to start writing your own curriculum to teach yourself how to become an author.
It won’t be easy – to quote Ruthy, “writing is hard” – but it will be doable…IF you are willing to approach this task with a willing heart and a teachable spirit.
Step 1: Live your life.
When I was just a young thing graduating from college with my shiny new degree in English With A Creative Writing Emphasis, the last thing I felt ready to do was write a book. I had spent four years learning things that were supposed to make me a writer (most of which I’ve long since forgotten,) but I was woefully ill-equipped. Why? Because I had spent four years learning how to be a "writer"…not how to develop characters, construct a plot, or even plan a scene...in other words, to write a story.
As I prepared for graduation, I knew, deep down, that I knew nothing. I had no experiences, no knowledge, no wisdom.
What could I have done differently? I would have studied a different major, first of all.
History would have been a good major. Or philosophy. Or psychology.
Anything that would have taught me about people.
But even studying about people would not have given me the depth of knowledge I’ve gained by just living my life and trying to understand it.
You don’t have to live as long as I have to cultivate your “people knowledge.” You can use your own experiences, your family’s experiences, and your friends’ experiences, examining them with a writer’s eye. Understanding those experiences, how they have been affected by the past and how they will affect the future. And seeing them through God’s eyes…with a Christian world-view.
So, for your first assignment, LIVE! And as you live, observe, ponder, and ask “what if I had done it this way…”
Step 2: Read as if your career depends on it.
I’ve talked about reading for writers in another post. You can find Part One HERE and Part Two HERE, and I recommend that you take a few minutes to read them to refresh your memory. We’ll wait.
I can’t add much to the posts I wrote earlier, except that the top priority of every aspiring (and published) author should be to read.
So, your second assignment is to read - but not just any book. Choose one that you finished with a sigh, thinking, "oh, I wish I could write a book like that." Then re-read the book, applying the techniques that I outlined in "Reading as a Writer" part two.
Step 3: Study the concept of STORY.
I can’t emphasize this enough.
Story is the thread that makes our stories resonate with readers. I believe we all have an affinity for Story built into our DNA that goes all the way back to the Garden of Eden.
How do you learn Story?
1. Read. I can’t say that often enough. From "The Story of Peter Rabbit" to "War and Peace," each book we read tells a story – A Hero. A Heroine. A Noble Quest. A Dragon. A Sword. A Victory. Knowing how those elements fit together is the beginning of understanding Story.
2. Study. There are some wonderful resources for writers that explain how to tap into that elusive thing we call story. Here are a few, but there are many others!
“The One Year Adventure Novel” curriculum by Dan Schwabauer.
My boys and I used this curriculum when they were in high school,
and I learned more about writing with this curriculum than I did in four years of college.
Even though this is curriculum written for homeschoolers, it’s useful for anyone
who is in the beginning stages of building a writing career.
You can learn more by visiting the website HERE.
Another resource I recommend is “The Moral Premise” by Stan Williams.
Dr. Williams has been a guest on Seekerville more than once,
and you can read about his book HERE.
Or you can read an introduction to The Moral Premise
in this post from the Seekerville archives.
The third resource, and one that will take you deep into this
subject, is "The Writer's Journey" by Chris Vogler. He delves
into the maze of Story and breaks it down into
twelve steps. You can find his book HERE,
or the companion video course with Chris Vogler
and Michael Hauge, "The Hero's Two Journeys" HERE.
Whew! Are you ready to get started on your course of self-education? Tune in next month when I’ll share the next three steps!
Meanwhile, share your aspirations with us! Are you at the bottom of that steep learning curve, feeling like EVERYONE knows more than you do? (You aren't alone!) Or are you somewhere in the middle, looking for more ways to make your writing shine?
One commenter will win your choice of a copy of my newest release, "The Roll of the Drums," book two in the Amish of Weaver's Creek series. (US only for paper copy, Kindle for international or if you prefer the digital version.)
34 Comments on Seekerville: The Journey Continues: Making the Move From Reader to Aspiring Author, part one
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You have a lot of wisdom to share for writers. This was such a great post!"
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I'm looking forward to seeing how your subplots turn out in your WIP. It was great talking with you on Friday!"
And yes, God has had His hand in every step of this journey. I can take no credit at all. If I was doing this on my own...well...I hate to think of it!"
But you had a first draft! God knows us so well, doesn't he?"
I am on an abrupt extra week off for spring break--and who knows if it will go even longer. So I plan to use this time to write, as well as get other things done. So it will be a good chance to test my discipline. I will still be working at the book store, so won't be entirely just at home. "
It is said (according to the internet) that 97% of people who start writing a novel never finish! That's a staggering amount of folks who have a dream but never follow through with it to the end. So finishing a book is HUGE!
And once you have that first draft, well, I'd like to say the rest is easy. It isn't. But it's a whole lot easier that if you had never finished your story!
So it's a big deal. And since you did finish your book, you must have figured out how to do it. :-)
Have a great week off. I'll be praying that you get some writing done!"
At times I feel like I've read all the writing craft books over the years. The two that stand out the most and which I wish I had read first, like decades ago, are:
Story: Substance, Structure, Style, and the Principles of Screenwriting by Robert McKee
The Power Of Point Of View: Make Your Story Come To Life by Alicia Rasley
I strongly believe that not studying POV is like a film director knowing how to use only one type of lenses. I think one of the first exercises a new writer should do is write the same 500 word scene in each of the many different POVs. Doing this is an education in itself. At least know what is possible and why and when a given POV is the best choice.
I agree that story is important but what is story? I'd say it is not the plot. There ultimately are very few plots used over and over again. If it is not just what happens, then is it how what happened came to be?
It seems I don't remember stories that well but I do remember characters. I love Ruth's "The Lawman's Second Chance" but the plot is very simple: Hero lost wife to cancer, heroine had her husband leave her when she got cancer, neither hero nor heroine wants to risk a repeat of their great hurt.
That is very simple. What makes it so great in my opinion? Isn't it the characters and what they did and how they felt? Story is not simple.
One other thing: "The Moral Premise" has a great and powerful idea. What drove me nuts is that about 80% plus of the book is a history of philosophy showing that the concept expressed in "The Moral Premise" is not original. I loved it because my degree is in philosophy but none of it was needed. If I were a lawyer I would have objected and told the court, "The defense is willing to stipulate that the idea is not original. Now would you please state your case."
Just read the end of the book. No one needs proof that it is not an original idea. Again, don't give up on the book. Just read the end first.
Please place me in the drawing for a Kindle edition.
Vince
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One thing that can be frustrating - even though I appreciate it - is that every craft book author has their own system that works for them. I love that, because every writer is different. The system I use to develop my characters and plot is the cafeteria method: a little bit from this book, a little bit from that book. It all works for me, but my method wouldn't work for you, or Ruthy, or any other author.
And you are so right about Story. It's an elusive thing, and that's where the art of writing comes into play. No one can really express it, but we know it when we see it.
Thanks for stopping by, Vince, and you're in the drawing!"
Reading like a writer is important too."
And then applying what we've learned in our own lives turns the idle conversations into stories...
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Thanks, too, for the reminder that taking the time to read is a GOOD thing. My book club has been great for me, giving me a stronger reason to read even when I don't feel like I have time."
I've told many people that I don't write a book until I take it through the Moral Premise steps! Thank you for your guidance!"