Woman As Art
The Old Soldier has had his share of writer’s block. Well, after more than forty years of writing short stories, do you know what I’ve realized about writer’s block? Your creativity is just taking a break.
Writer’s block is nothing to be concerned about. You don’t worry when your body needs a good night of sleep, do you? So, don’t worry when you have writer’s block.
A new period of creativity is just around the corner.
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Jack Kerouac
I’m nearly finished with my biography of Jack Kerouac that I checked out of the public library several days ago. I do believe that a writer has to live it up in order to write it down. (Although, from what I know of Emily Dickinson, which is not much, she was a home-body and an excellent poet. I like her poetry.)
I also believe that a writer has to distinguish between self-instruction and self-destruction. No wonder Jack Kerouac died at a relatively young age (47).
Of course, some people are self-destructive by nature, whether or not they produce great writing. Most writers, myself included, will never be considered great writers like Kerouac. We just live our lives and get our writing done the best we can.
Jack Kerouac Reads On the Road (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
But it’s always fascinating and very instructive to read about writers like Jack Kerouac. Their lives are full of the dos and don’ts of being a writer.
Oh, and realize that there are also plenty of great writers who live well into old age. Guess which group of writers I admire the most?
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Be sure to check the front page for the latest updates. The Pittsburgh Flash Fiction Gazette is a blog for writers.
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Filed under: Blogging | Tagged: blog, creativity, Emily Dickenson, Jack Kerouac, On The Road, Pittsburgh Flash Fiction Gazette, poet, Poetry, writer, writer's block | 2 Comments »
Writer, Talk Radio Has Something Important To Teach Us
Woman As Art
There was a time many years ago when I decided not to have a television. I was a young writer and I set up some very strict rules for myself to ensure that one day I would be a good writer.
I felt that I should spend my free time reading novels and short stories, not watching television. I felt that television sapped my creativity.
Well, that period in my life lasted about five years.
Eventually, I did get a television. And I’ve enjoyed watching television ever since. I watch public television, sports and the new channels I was able to get with my converter box. I still refuse to pay for cable.
A digital TV converter box (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
So, when my television recently went kaput, I didn’t think too much about it. I just decided to listen to more radio, especially at night. I started to listen to talk-radio.
Some of the stuff the talk-radio hosts talk about is nonsense. Most of them, not all of them, but most of them are in the business of inciting their listeners about whatever happens to be the hot topic in the news.
Fiction Stacks (Photo credit: chelmsfordpubliclibrary)
But here’s the thing; the more successful talk-radio hosts have their own distinct, recognizable style of delivery. They use their voices like musical instruments: pitch, tone, volume, pauses, pacing, elocution, diction, syntax and agenda. Agenda is very important.
A writer must also find his or her own distinct voice if he or she is to stand out from the crowd.
The Old Soldier can’t tell you how to find your own distinct voice. You simple have to know how important a distinct personal voice is and then work your way towards your own distinctive voice.
It’s something I’ve been working towards for years.
This is the Old Soldier reporting from Pittsburgh.
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Be sure to check the front page for the latest update. The Pittsburgh Flash Fiction Gazette is an online magazine of reporting, writing and brazen sexuality.
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Filed under: Commentaries | Tagged: creativity, distinctive voice, life, novels and short stories, Pittsburgh Flash Fiction Gazette, talk-radio, television, young writer | 5 Comments »