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Words To My Fellow Writers
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Words To My Fellow Writers |
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hoot_owl_rn Member Patricius
since 1999-07-05
Posts 10750Glen Hope, PA USA 
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Words to my fellow writers We came together here, strangers with one common goal, to write and to learn about writing...what we have gained is so much more. We have made friends, shared hopes and dreams, laughter and tears, saw into peoples souls through their writings and above all else we have learned that we are better writers than what we ever imagined we were. The bond that has formed between us as writers is one that will not soon be forgotten and I can not let this moment pass without offering you a few time-tested words of advice and encouragement. 1. Make friends of other writers...be it in forums like this, at school, at work, or anywhere you can find them. Being around other writers will inspire you to write yourself. 2. Submit, submit, submit...sure, maybe it will take you 20 rejection letters before you finally get a letter of acceptance, but just think how wonderful and more meaningful that that one letter will be because of all the others. 3. Beg, borrow, and steal...take other writers ideas, phrases, and view of life and transfer them into your work. Take what is theirs and make it your own...in your own style, fashion and words. 4. Listen, listen, listen...some of the best writers and storytellers are also the best listeners. Listen to not only to what other people say when they talk but also the sound of the wind as it blows against your house on a cold lonely night, the cry of a newborn baby and the hushed lullaby of its mother as she sings it to sleep, and the crash of the oceans waves as they tumble in rhythm upon a deserted beach. Write not only what you hear when you hear these things but also the write about the feelings they evoke in you. 5. Bend...Nothing about writing is written in stone. Is a style not working for you? Are you having a problem working with a perfect rhyme? Bend just a bit...when it comes to writing, everyone has his or her own styles...if one thing doesn’t work for you try something else. No one said every poem you write has to look like Robert Frost or every novel like John Grisham...find what works for you, but do not lock yourself into just one style. 6. Find a person who you can trust to give you an honest opinion on your work. I am not talking about someone who consistently says, “Wonderful work, you should try to publish this.” If you want a rah rah squad, hire a bunch of cheerleaders. I am talking about the type of person who can read your work and look you in the face and say “This is a piece of shit, what were you thinking when you wrote it?” or “Hey, I like your idea here, but it is not working for me, let’s see what we can do.” This is the type of person who will always pressure you to do your best and at the same time support you through your worst. 7. Last...believe in your writing....if you can not believe in what you write, there’s not another living soul on the face of this earth that will. Write what you know, write what you love, write what you do, but most of all, write to please yourself before anyone else. ------------------ Some people come into our lives and quickly go. Some stay for awhile and leave footprints in our heart and we are never ever the same. Thank you all for leaving footprints!! |
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| © Copyright 1999 Ruth Kephart - All Rights Reserved | |||
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DreamEvil Member Elite
since 1999-06-22
Posts 2396 |
Wonderfully wise words, Ruth. Thank you much for them and for gracing Prose with them.  ------------------ Now and forever my heart hears ~one voice~. DreamEvil© |
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Tara Simms Senior Member
since 1999-08-12
Posts 1244Honea Path, SC USA |
Great advice, Ruth! Everyone needs a friend who can be honest with them about their work. ------------------ It matters not how strait the gate; How charged with punishments the scroll; I am the master of my fate: I am the captain of my soul. --W.E. Henley Visit my poetry website: www.geocities.com/Paris/Musee/9954/ |
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Dark Angel Member Patricius
since 1999-08-04
Posts 10095 |
Ruth, thank you, thank you for the wonderful advice, will do ------------------ What comes from the heart goes to the heart. Samuel Coleridge |
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WhtDove Member Rara Avis
since 1999-07-22
Posts 9245Illinois |
Ruth this was great! Really it was. You know it is just what I needed to hear today! Wise words, yes they are, as Dream put it! Thank you for sharing this my friend! There is so much truth to what you have written! |
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Artur Hawkwing Member
since 1999-06-30
Posts 444USA |
I heed the advice you have given not with a light mind but a thoughtfulness. Thank you for the wise words that have inspired and spoken truth about what has united many of the poets here. I give you my blessings. |
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hoot_owl_rn Member Patricius
since 1999-07-05
Posts 10750Glen Hope, PA USA |
Tara, Dream, Whtdove, Dark Angel and Arthur...thank you each and every one of you |
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Dragoness Senior Member
since 1999-08-07
Posts 513 |
Wonderful words...I will try to live by these. ------------------ Set you heart free and your mind will follow. |
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Christopher
Moderator
Member Rara Avis
since 1999-08-02
Posts 8296Purgatorial Incarceration |
Ruth, you are an amazing woman. These words are so true and so well ohrased, that they give me hope, even for MY writing! LOL And to add: Thank you very much for the personal help. Which adds number 8 8: Ask other writers for their help and opinions on publishing. They may have different viewpoints and or opinions which may be very helpful! Thank you ruth! |
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Julie Jordan Scott Member
since 1999-09-19
Posts 146Bakersfield, CA USA |
Dear Ruth, Such wise and inspired words! Being in a community of writers is so important to my development as a wordsmith. What would I do without partners in writing? I know for one thing, I would not write as well, nor would I exercise my craft so diligently. Your words remind me of the value of what I do...beyond just putting my own thoughts and ideas on a page. Thank you. ------------------ Julie Jordan Scott is a Freelance Writer and Public Speaker, but her favorite role is that of Mommy! Visit her website at http://www.5passions.com |
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Nicole Senior Member
since 1999-06-23
Posts 1835Florida |
All I can do is echo every one here...very wise words. Thank you very much for posting this. |
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RainbowGirl Member Elite
since 1999-07-31
Posts 3023United Kingdom |
Thanks friend.. HUGS ------------------ You give but little when you give of your possessions. It is when you give of yourself that you truly give. |
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hoot_owl_rn Member Patricius
since 1999-07-05
Posts 10750Glen Hope, PA USA |
Christopher...thank you for being that ear that listens when I need it from time to time...I appreciate that Dragoness, Julie, Rainbow and Satiate...thank you all |
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johnt300 Member
since 1999-09-12
Posts 214san diego, ca. |
Hoot, Excellent advice and thoughts. Thank you for giving me advice when I needed it the most. Take care. Tyson |
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hoot_owl_rn Member Patricius
since 1999-07-05
Posts 10750Glen Hope, PA USA |
Tyson...thank you for being an inspiration |
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tori Senior Member
since 1999-06-18
Posts 520Mechanicsville, Maryland, USA |
Ruth, These are words that needed to be said and you said them, right to the point, and stright from the heart... One is always amazed by the wise wisdom of Hoot Owl! Thanks My Friend... |
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Severn Member Rara Avis
since 1999-07-17
Posts 7704 |
Invaluable wisdom. Everyone of us should print this and refer to it often!! |
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Master Senior Member
since 1999-08-18
Posts 1867Boston, MA |
This is a piece of... I mean a masterpiece! Thanks, some great things to remember. |
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