Be the Designer

I was speaking with another struggling writer friend and surprised myself with some poignant thoughts on writing that I decided to record here for posterity.

My friend was stuck on some writing mechanics. My first response to him was to “stop worrying about writing perfectly and just write.” I thought that was a bit simplistic but especially regretted it when he woefully told me he was struggling to find his voice. I had to adjust my comments to be more heartfelt.

“Write it like you want to read it and tell it like you want to hear it,” I said.

I told him when I have a hard time finding the words, I often pick up one of the greats and read. Dickens is usually my go to – especially A Christmas Carol, one of the best stories ever written, but it’s Hemingway’s quote that I often think of at these times. “There is nothing to writing,” Hemingway said, “all you do is sit down at a typewriter and bleed.”

My friend likes classic Ferraris, so I added a simile to my sermon. “If it was a car,” I said. “Be the designer, not the mechanic. It’s your story; be the artist and not the English professor. Use your own voice; that’s the one you are used to hearing.”

I’m no writing saint by any means. I’ve been exactly where my friend is now, many times in fact, and I’m sure I’ll be there again. These words of advice and encouragement were as much for me as they were for him, so when I am in the doldrums again, I can read this and hopefully take my own advice... Not likely.

Lil's Spirits: This Side of the Veil