Wednesday, July 06, 2011

Ignite Your Imagination

Which is more interesting- your writing or your life?  Think carefully before you answer.

Do you write about interesting things in an uninteresting way?

Do you do the same things day after day, month after month, year after year?  Is television more exciting than your life?  How can you hope to write interesting fiction if all of this describes your life?

Writing is no substitute for an interesting life.  Research is no substitute for experience.  This applies to your imaginary life as well as your real life.  What I'm saying is if you can't live large, then dream large.  It will show in your writing.  No one wants to read stories about people who settle written by writers who settle.

Here's a three step recipe to put some passion in your writing so your readers don't fall asleep on you:


1.  Read Charles Gramlich's "Write With Fire."

2.  Quit attending writer's groups and pay attention to life around you.  And maybe quit getting your weather reports from weather.com and pay attention to the sky.  Ignore group input and think for yourself for a change.  You'll be amazed how much more interesting your writing gets.  Vary your life routine a little.  Don't keep doing the same things day after day after day.

3.  Read Charles Gramlich's "Write With Fire" again.  Seriously.  Your writing will immediately improve.

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8 comments:

Lisa said...

this is really great. thank you. my writing matches my life and i work on my life, i think;)

Rick said...

Hi again, Ocean Girl. You just have to submit something to the new White Cat Magazine! I've always liked your writing.

Margie said...

Great post, Rick.
I always watch the sky and some of my poems come from it!

Margie :)

Rick said...

I'm considering adding poetry to the new magazine, too. I'll let you know when I'm going to so maybe you can submit something.

RK Sterling said...

Great post, Rick. And one I needed as well.

Travis Cody said...

I only check weather.com for the daily temperatures...honest!

Hey...congrats on the magazine. I'll be taking some time to poke around over there. I'm looking forward to some great reads.

Rick said...

Hi Kate,I'm re-reading Charles's book, too!

Rick said...

Travis, I think you'll have a good time with the eclectic selection. William Jones's is my favorite.