A Writing Craft Experience

“Since writing is ideally a balance between the private vision and the public world, the one passionate and often inchoate, the other formally constructed, quick to categorize and assess, it’s necessary to think of this art as a craft. Without craft, art remains private. Without art, craft is merely hackwork.” Quote except from Joyce Carol Oates book, ‘The Faith of a Writer’. Quotes inspire me to write. In her book, she states, “I believe that art is the highest expression of the human spirit.”

Writing is a craft for sure, but more than that, it is a way of life for many. Many ask me, when did I realize I wanted to be a writer? Early in my childhood I loved to make up stories, in my head and pen them. I never shared them. I kept these written shorts for me to read over and over again. I loved the craft. I loved the story. I fell in love with the characters I imagined. In some way they were a part of me, a part of my hidden self, my unconscious spirit which wanted to say something. I learned early on, that I had a great imagination and others recognized it too. Another early memory I recall and still have to this day is my curiosity. I ask questions and I ask a lot of questions. Sometimes to the point that people state what’s up with all the questions, are you writing a book? It would unnerve me a bit at the time but today I say, why yes I am, with a chuckle. Because in fact I have written a few books, and a lot of stories.

My inspiration comes in many forms. I can watch a movie or engage in an interesting conversation and still be inspired. I read, I read, and I enjoy every word. I’m inspired by other authors and I’m drawn to autobiographies all too often. I read about writing.

What inspires me the most is life. What is my purpose in life? How can I make a difference in this world, even if I am doing a very small part to make it a better place.

In my early days I recall how much I loved getting my new school books. I loved the smell of those new books, how the binding would crack as I first turned it open. I loved getting my new pens and notebooks so I could create something new and fresh. Those early days brought me inspiration, it created an awakening inside me. Although school was not my favorite place to be, I found my passion when I entered my teenage years. I journaled and wrote poetry. I never thought of it as being a writer. In my mind, this is what teenagers did. They would hide away in their bedroom, listen to the songs of their day, and write. Isn’t that what all teenage girls did? Well that’s what I thought, and did. It was normal for me and nothing more. I realize today that’s where I began.

If you want to read more of my thoughts on writing, I recommend sticking around as my writing muse is back on. Here’s my shameless plug, check out my book, “Awakening the Dream Within“. There’s always more to say but I’ll let you go for now. Be back soon, until then, writers, write on.