Greetings;
This week has been spent in part critiquing new writers’ efforts. The manuscripts reminded me, while correcting common misspellings and grammar issues, of how it felt being a new writer with all of its frustrations, hopes, and excitement. It’s good to remember. Sometimes, we seasoned writers take for granted or have forgotten those beginning days when everything we wrote was exciting, (we thought.) or devastating because we weren’t yet able to convey what we wanted to say. Eventually, the need for writing classes had been stressed often enough for me to gather necessary finances, set aside time to register, and then to attend those classes which would, hopefully, teach me how to write well.
One memory usually jogs another, and I remember one morning of total writing frustration. I so wanted and needed to convert a new story line from my head to paper before forgetting settled in, except, I had to stop everything to fly out the door with rubbish bags because the truck was rumbling down the street. My wits on that day were foggy because our toddler had thrown up all night with the damned twenty-four-hour grippe, which second-grader Kellie had endured two days before. I also needed to drive to school with homework Kathleen had forgotten and HAD to have for a second period class. Yes, it’s a great feeling of satisfaction to be able to convert thoughts to page, but what also must be considered and dealt with is LIFE. I keep it in mind, while correcting precious manuscripts. No matter how much the writer needs to learn, he or she has considered it important enough to sit and write when life keeps beckoning. Bravo.
Important points must be addressed when correcting stories if I’m to be any help to a new writer, but they can be stated with kindness. I hope to never distress a new writer to the point where he or she gives up on a dream of learning how to write well and to one day publish.
Until next time, be well and keep writing. Linda