Last week I spent an hour with some seniors at the Avondale Senior Center for Author’s Day, which turned out to be me and well, me. Since this is not a group likely to embrace e-books you might wonder why?
The topic was motivating seniors to write. Now, since I have a 94-year-old grandpa, I figured I could handle that subject. I created a nifty little Powerpoint and spoke to about 25 seniors, only a few of whom left early.
Not one to waste effort, I realized the advice I’d given them would speak to many people who contemplate putting their thoughts on paper but never do. So, let’s tackle the five excuses reasons people give for not fulfilling the dream that 81% of people have – writing the book they have in and think they should pen.
1) I don’t have anything to say…
C’mon, we all have something to say (for some it’s under our breath and not printable, but…) You have life stories, success stories, characters and plots that have danced in your dreams for years. For most, it’s not that you have nothing to say, it’s that you don’t know how to organize it. Remember that ol’ outlining stuff you learned in school? It’s a great place to start. Or 3 x 5 cards. Or a legal pad with each chapter’s key points on a page that you can fill in the details on later. The key is just start. The idea for ASSISTdead swirled in my brain for years before it came to fruition – a single pet peeve became almost 400 pages.
2) Who cares about my stories?
No one, if you don’t get them on paper. When I hear 81% of people think they have a book in them and should write it, I think of memoirs and bios. Years from now your kids, grandkids, great-great-great grandkids will “know” you from your efforts today. They can experience history from you, instead of a text book. They can perhaps understand more about themselves. If your piece is fiction, some fantasy or mystery or children’s book, they’ll still learn more about you, about your creative side, your imagination. Whatever you pen, someone will care. Don’t confuse selling millions of copies with success as a writer. That’s the commercial side, something rarely achieved. Distributing your “voice” is the only driver you should consider.
3) I can’t remember…
This is something grandpa always says. Well, at 94 I don’t doubt it. Which is why you need to start now! People used to keep journals and diaries the could refer back to. Now, we keep calendars. Spend 15 minutes a day, a week, a month to jot down key points. If you’re crafting fiction, spend the time fleshing out your character – hair color, eyes, build. Write a scene – you may not know where it goes, but you’ll use it. The memory is a muscle. The more you use it, the stronger it is. Don’t let your creative muscle atrophy.
4) Writing is painful…
For seniors, it often is. I suggested a tape recorder. Let someone else get carpal tunnel. Adapted for the non-senior group, this still has merit. You can record thoughts while sitting in traffic, at lunch, at your kid’s ballgame.Transcribe them later. Use them to jog your memory. Use them for prods when writer’s block stops by. Recently I saw an older couple, both with their right arms in slings. I don’t know where I’ll use it, but one of my characters will see that same couple and remark, “They really oughta stop arm wrestling,” or something to that effect.
5) But, who will publish me?
Hey, if I knew… Today, you can self-publish or e-publish if you can’t shine as one of the 132 Million plus submissions sent out each year. The most exciting part of the internet for this writer, is that suddenly, any voice can be heard. Major publishers want works that will sell 50,000 units or more. Maybe your great voice will only satisfy the needs of three or four thousand. That doesn’t mean you’re not successful, talented, compelling. Fiction is like food, everyone has a different palate. As I say on my site, “I hope my work pleases yours.”
Time for you to get off your duff and go to it. The satisfaction you’ll gain from fulfilling your dream will be worth it.
PT Pontificates - the Weblog 