Colin’s Comments (group member since Apr 14, 2012)

Colin’s comments from the Q&A with Colin Browne group.

If you just want to ask something random, the chances are that's okay too. Can't promise to answer everything, but you never know ...

There are thousands of ways to be an inspiration to your little ones. My mom never wrote down the stories she used to make up on the spot for my brother and I when we were little, but they were absolutely brilliant. Those stories certainly gave me a taste for storytelling of my own. Actually, maybe that's where it started ...

Either way, thought then (as I do now) that she was insanely great for her story-telling abilities.

Haha. I DO know you! I am Colin, 42, and father of none, though I would very much like to be. I read a lot, write a lot and draw like probably your youngest child. Ah well, we can't do everything ... ;)

What it shows, I believe Naomi, is that you are very, very alive and extremely observant.

I am not sure I should share this link, because I don't know if it is sanctioned by the author and she is someone who's talent I respect almost above all others, but ... well ... anyway: http://www.ranablog.com/pdfs/didion.pdf

The author is named Joan Didion and 'On Keeping a Notebook' is just one of her (don't worry, fairly short) essays. I read it when I was about 20 - a while ago now - and it gave me so much to think about in terms of how I observe the world and what I might take out of it as fodder for stories or parts of stories.

Like you, I hear lyrics, read texts, see movies or overhear things that immediately bring to mind images or ideas or memories that can be really powerful.

The author's work may be to observe and record in much the same way as a comedian's work is to observe and parody.

I just made that up now. I don't know if that's right. Anyway ...

If you want to write, write. There's no way to get good at it unless you do it. If you do not, that's okay too of course. Writing is escapism where being blessed with three little ones (did I read that correctly?) is really living a life!

:)

I don't know if I could pick a time or a moment when I suddenly felt that I had to write. Some people have those sorts of epiphanies, I guess. I didn't. What did happen however was I read a lot of writers who made me think: that's what I have been trying to say. How could they put that into words so well? So at some point, I decided to try and get the very articulate (I think) voice in my head, out onto the page. Thank you Hemingway, Didion, King et al ...

Questions and comments about the book.

What I know and what I think I know. I'm as interested to learn here as I am to share ...

Say hello! Tell me who you are. Tell me something random.