I’ve been trying to learn how to write for decades. It’s an interesting business year after year trying to learn how to do the same basic thing better, smarter, deeper, with more grace, with more polish, with more savvy. When you develop a passion for something you can literally spend whole years picking at a small facet of it. For months at a time I played with the weight of various story elements– the percentage of narrative to dialogue, the percent of one character’s POV versus another’s, the percent of secondary characters plotlines as opposed to the primary characters’ screen time.
And then there are whole other years where I realize the past year’s lessons were pure rubbish and that, say for example, the percentages of narrative to dialogue don’t matter at all assuming you actually have a story to tell and know which scenes to develop to showcase the story. Whole days go by where I play with titles like a word game– inserting various adjectives into phrases with set nouns, then changing the nouns and bouncing the same old adjectives off of those.
I have to speak to a creative writing class at my alma mater next week, and clearly I need to offer up something constructive from the years and days spent playing with words, stories, and all the tools in a writer’s box that make them come together in a memorable experience for the reader. But I clearly remember the frustration of being a writing student and listening to nonsensical talks about playing with words and dialogue and wondering– why can’t someone just get to the point already and tell me how it’s done?
It took me years to really, truly understand that no one can tell you how to write because there is no correct method, no one true surefire approach. Stringing together grammatical setences doesn’t necessarily make you good at any kind of writing. From advertising work to reporting to novel writing, each venue for words and stories comes with its own demands and within that tradition, each makes way for innovation while embracing the tried and true.
I’m sure I’ll come up with some concrete words of wisdom next week because a small part of me has never stopped thinking and hoping that if I study long enough, I’ll inherit the keys to the writing kingdom and produce story after story that is an unqualified success. But I know better. The failed stories taught me as much and more than the successes. The lessons learned through trial and error make me a better writer every year. You think they’ll believe me?
I’m thinking maybe I’ll pull out my notes and what percentage of POV to use from my primary and secondary characters instead. As a novice cook, I still love a precise recipe that will give me a predictable dinner by the time I’m done, even if a great chef could whip up twice the fare that I could with a little innovation. And maybe, likewise, those writing students will enjoy a discussion of the delicate balances between point of views even if I know that one day they’ll get the best results when they’re ready to break all the rules.
Have you ever studied a subject– be it a hobby or a profession– in great detail? Was it a joy?
Is there any area of your life — from cooking to painting, decorating to travelling– where you enjoy improvising? Has experience taught you to improvise and see what happens, or is it more a sense of daring?
***Prize Giveaway*** Joanne will be giving away a copy of her March Blaze, UP ALL NIGHT to a random poster on Thursday morning, April 13th.
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Hi, I am pretty boring. LOL. I cant say that I have studied anything in great detail.
I will improvise occasionally while cooking however.
See I told you I was boring, not risk taking. Hope you will see some more interesting responses.
by Pat
on April 10th, 2006 at 6:34 am
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In general, I’m not a really good planner. I hate following recipes or using itineraries. I find that things turn out much better for me when I play it by ear. Of course, I’m a terrible cook (so we eat out more often - works for me!), but I’m a fun person to take on a trip. My husband and I have been on some great trips and the most memorable have been when we’ve found some unexpected out-of-the way places.
I’m an apriring writer as well, and I’ve learned recently that I need to do more planning where my writing is concerned. I need to make sure my stories are well thought out and my characters well developed before I start typing. This will be hard for me, but necessary, if I ever want to produce good quality work!
Have a great day.
by Sandra M.
on April 10th, 2006 at 9:06 am
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I think I improvise in about everything I do…I just don’t realize it at the time. However, I am usually a very thought out and planned type of person..I like to have schedules, follow recipes, and even while I am gardening have some design in mind. But towards the end of my projects I say what the heck and have some fun.:smile:
by Kathleen
on April 10th, 2006 at 9:25 am
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Thank you, thank you, thank you! I’ve spent too much time hung up on “the rules” and it’s hurt my writing terribly. I’m beginning to let go and start writing again.
I like to improvise when I cook, but not too much. Usually it’s with different herbs and spices to flavor things up. And sometimes just picking up and taking a day trip somewhere on the spur of the moment is great fun. We’ve been landscaping our yard and even though we have a master plan, I improvised when I saw the weeping pussy willow tree. I MADE a place for that tree because it’s so unique.
by Marilyn
on April 10th, 2006 at 9:43 am
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I’m not a cook. I love to eat. But I will let someone else do the cooking. I have taught myself to crochett a little over a year ago. I just watch my mother-in -law, watched how she did it. I have made several blankets big enough for a twin bed or larger and one bed spread for a queen size bed.
by Tammy G.
on April 10th, 2006 at 10:18 am
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i would love improvise cooking and a maybe a little sewing. I wish i had more energy to do it. I would love to learn and i would love to learn to swim, i might this summer:grin:
by KIM H
on April 10th, 2006 at 10:46 am
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I basically like everything set down for me when it comes to cooking, baking
or crafting. I need guidelines because it seems if I deviate from the plan or
recipe it doesn’t work out. The odd time I will substitute products or spices
in cooking.
by Robyn
on April 10th, 2006 at 10:54 am
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Two months before I turned 17 I was passenger in a car accident that left me paralyzed from the neck down. I was lucky enough to recover partial use of my arms and with splints on my hands I’ve improvised ways to write, paint and sew. I have trained muscles to do the job that other muscles used to do. So overall I improvise everyday of my life in one way or another.:wink:
by Susan
on April 10th, 2006 at 11:07 am
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The past few years I’ve been studying Japanese and that horrifying writing system and it has been both joy and sheer agony.
by Minna
on April 10th, 2006 at 12:18 pm
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Definately, improvise with cooking. Planning for a normal dinner often begins with opening the door to the fridge and the cupboards to take stock of the situation. Then I decide what needs to be thrown together and in what order.
Likewise, trekking amongst hill tribes carrying only a pack, you are limited in what you can bring. A length of cloth about the size of a parero or sarong is useful as a shawl, a skirt, a bath towel or a blanket. One, again, just looks at the items one has and figures out a way to make do.
by little lamb lost
on April 10th, 2006 at 12:33 pm
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When my husband and I first bought our house I wanted to start gardening so I bought some books and subscribed to some magazines and read a tremendous amount about gardening. It was fun to read and imagine this fantastic garden but the reality was that some things worked and some did not. Now I just plant and if I don’t like it I dig it up and put it somewhere else.
by Maureen
on April 10th, 2006 at 1:10 pm
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I am pretty boring I guess and have never really studied anything in great detail…unless you count the phase I went through when I was young and fascinated by the old west and read every book I could find about it (fiction and non-fiction) and watched many westerns. I was so fascinated by it and the television program about the pony express called “The Young Riders” that I did a research report on the pony express in 6th grade and won 3rd place in the Social Science fair. I still love western movies and books. I especially love western romances.
And I am a by-the-book person and don’t improvise often. I think I am afraid of what the results would be, so I do what I know will work.
by Jennifer Yates
on April 10th, 2006 at 1:31 pm
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I did some research online a while back on serious book collecting as a hobby and the care of rare, valuable books. Not that I have that kind of money but it was fun to learn about what makes a book valuable, the type of books that people collect and the prices that they can fetch. I was also awed by the knowledge base of antiquated book sellers.
by Jenny
on April 10th, 2006 at 2:53 pm
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In middle school we learned about some of the different techniques of writing poetry. Our class assignment was to write our own poetry using a couple of those techniques. I have continued trying my luck with it through the years. I really enjoy it but have found that I do better when I just write what comes to mind instead of trying to plan out the words I want to use or what direction I want it to take.
Other than that, I have found about half of my recipes by starting one meal and throwing something different in at the last minute. Once I start it seems that I just can’t stop. By the time dinner is done I have usually created a whole new menu for the night. I think now I do it a lot just to seehow it turns out and get my family’s reaction. It is usually very well worth it.
by Billie L
on April 10th, 2006 at 5:30 pm
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My favorite things to do are using the computer and reading.
I am a receptionist at work and there are certain things we have to say. So I will try to improvise to get the most info into the fewest words. 
by Joyce
on April 10th, 2006 at 5:35 pm
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I try to improvise whenever I can b/c it can make life so much more exciting and I might even learn something from it (like to places to visit or a change in a recipe) that I would not have it I did not improvise. It’s kind of my way of coloring outside of the lines:smile:
by Patricia
on April 10th, 2006 at 9:46 pm
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I feel so boring now!! I need to find something I can improvise…I think I feel an arts and crafts moment coming on:grin::grin:
by Maureen E
on April 10th, 2006 at 9:48 pm
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I’m very impressed by your desire to keep learning your craft Joanne. Especially since you’ve been a writer for a number of years. The old saying you can never learn enough is true.
I am like Susan in many ways. I was left paralyzed 2 months after my 18th birthday, so everyday I improvise too. I’ve never had the talent before or after to paint or do anything crafty. The one thing I’ve tried to learn more about is computers. Around five years ago alls I could do was boot up and check emails, my teenage daughter would help with everything until I tired of her knowing more than me,lol, and taught myself computer basics and gradually learned more everyday.
by Dena
on April 11th, 2006 at 8:42 am
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I love to bake and cook and am self taught. I prefer having a recipe to follow. Once in awhile I will improvise with a recipe especially if I don’t like the ingredients. I don’t do extreme changes, however. I prefer predictability as I have gotten older.
by Cherie Japp
on April 11th, 2006 at 9:10 am
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I’m mostly pretty boring, too and I’ve never really studied anything in great detail either. As far as cooking goes though, I don’t always follow a recipe but use whatever I happen to have.
by Carol
on April 11th, 2006 at 9:34 am
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“Is there any area of your life — from cooking to painting, decorating to travelling– where you enjoy improvising?”
hmmmm….I haven’t cooked a meal in twenty plus years, I’m a very messy painter, I’m an OK decorator and I don’t travel much. Sounds like I’m boring, too. haha! I do, though, give my all at my day job and it does on ocassion call for improvising.
by KimW
on April 11th, 2006 at 7:26 pm
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I taught myself how to knit and how to play the guitar. I’m a lot better knitter than guitar player… BUT I love music! I play for my own enjoyment.
Knitting I find very relaxing. I like to be busy so I knit while my husband drives. I can’t read in a car it gives me an instant headache.
Knitting is nice because people usually appreciate a gift that you take the time to make.
by Laurie G
on April 12th, 2006 at 6:42 am
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I enjoy sewing and have made myself clothes to wear and pillows/curtains for my apartment. I often have to improvise when I run out of material.
by Karen G
on April 12th, 2006 at 8:59 pm
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hmmm…. let’s see; there was that time I learned to crochet and I must have bought every crochet pattern book I could get my hands on. I bought so much yarn my bedroom was packed. I completed an afghan every two weeks and I was working on two to three at a time. I started combining stitches from different patterns and made up my own designs. Then came cookies–my girlfriend makes christmas cookies for friends and family and she shared her cookbook with me. I was baking all sorts of cookies -sugar, lemon, fruicake bars, oatmeal, walnut, chocolate dipped, linzers–every night and bringing them to work. I didn’t always have the ingredients they called for so I was substituting a lot. Some worked, some didn’t. After about 3 weeks of my cookie concoctions, the guys at work told me if i even brought in a crumb, they were going to lock me in the distillation hood. With my first child, I went nuts reading every baby book, la leche books, lamaze, child psychology,–everything I could get my hands on and it drove me crazy that I couldn’t do or behave how the books said I should. By the time, the third child came, the books just held up the shelves and I’ve just been winging it. Each child was different so I could never predict anything.
by marelou
on April 12th, 2006 at 9:16 pm
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I really enjoy cooking. I often improvise when I don’t have a certain ingredient for a recipe. Sometimes it turns out good and sometimes not so good. It is fun to try new ways to make a dish.
by Crystal B.
on April 13th, 2006 at 7:41 am
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:mrgreen: Prize Winner :mrgreen:
Congratulations to Billie L, winner of a signed copy of UP ALL NIGHT! Thank you so much to everyone who visited and chatted. Billie, I’ll be emailing you shortly.
Until next time, friends!
by Joanne Rock
on April 13th, 2006 at 11:01 am
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wtg billie
by KIM H
on April 13th, 2006 at 11:24 am
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WTG, Billie.
by Pat
on April 13th, 2006 at 7:09 pm
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Congrats, Billie!
by Carol
on April 14th, 2006 at 9:59 am
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Congrat Billie
by Dena
on April 15th, 2006 at 7:52 am
