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You know, I was thinking about this particular thread. I thought to myself, am I actually qualified to say what’s on my mind?
After all, I only co-wrote one novel with Mark. There are those who would say that because of that, because it was so ‘heavily’ edited and so much was changed, that no, I don’t qualify.
Mark didn’t write it, so it only qualifies as a Fan Fiction, and that I by no means qualify as a writer.
Then it occurred to me. So what? The opinion of those who stated this, that I’m not a writer or a good fan fiction writer for that matter – well, I just look at the source and realize that their opinion doesn’t mean squat. A lot of what they say comes from jealousy – not at my ability to write, but all other factors.
So, yes, I guess I am qualified to put my own spin on it.
Here goes….
First, you really need to have a powerful imagination. If you don’t have a great imagination, then you can’t spin a great tale.
I have a fairly boring job. I tend to do nothing but pick and pack scuba, camping gear and parts orders all day. It can be rather monotonous, have no doubt about that.
So I tend to think a great deal when I’m working. I come up with plot ideas, characters and so forth.
What do I do with most of these ideas I come up with? Well, truth be told, nothing. Sometimes if I find a particular idea really good, I’ll go home and type it up and store it on disk for possible future reference.
Exactly what feeds one’s imagination? In my case, pretty much everything around me. I read a great deal. I love movies, and certain TV shows. But when it comes right down to it, even listening to the radio or reading the newspaper can often inspire me.
Sometimes all it takes is a simple sentence – such as a fairly major story that just took place – Captain rescued by military efforts against Somali pirates.
If you look hard enough, you can quite easily find inspiration anywhere you look. A famous example - take Ray Bradbury. His office where he writes is filled with all manner of items. Ships, maps, various trinkets and the like.
All he does is look around his cluttered office and he can find inspiration in anything.
So, you need imagination and you need to be able to find inspiration in every day things around you.
After reading that, you’d think that a guy like me should be up there with the likes of Alan, Mark, Chuck and other good writers.
Well, really, it’s not that simple. First you have to have actual talent. You have to be able to take words and form them not only properly (use of proper grammar, sentence structure, punctuation and of course spelling), but you have to take all that and make it not only interesting, but entertaining to read as well.
A good author can make the reader care for the characters he creates or writes about, or to be able to picture in their mind a place, object or scene that the writer has described in words.
Sure anyone can write, but not everyone can write as I have described in the above paragraphs.
Yes, I have the technical skill and the talent. Sure, my technical skill can use polish, but that is something that comes with practice. After all, I have been writing for well over a decade now, and the stuff that I write today is as different as night and day compared to what I wrote when I first decided to give it a try.
With that, I qualify in the three topics I brought up. Now for one qualification that I am sorely lacking in.
Motivation.
Believe me; I have tried many different ways to motivate myself to write something. I’ve tried writing for the money, I’ve tried writing for pleasure, I’ve tried writing for practice, and I’ve tried writing for friends… I’ve even tried writing for revenge, to show up people for what has been said.
Honest to god, nothing really works. I get started on something and then I quickly lose interest and stop writing.
I wish I could find something to really motivate me, but I just can’t.
On that note, one of the major motivation killers for me for sure is writing and no one reading. Well, I guess there are plenty of people who read what I write, but so very few ever comment on it.
And bad comments are a horrific motivation killer if there ever was one. It does suck, and suck hard when you can’t even get your own family or close friends to read what you write!
Also, I need to create my own universe. See, I enjoyed writing my fan fiction for Outlanders, and yes, that included the book I co-wrote with Mark, and when I was a fan of Deathlands, I had hoped to write for the series as well.
But as time progressed my wishes and tastes changed.
Now I don’t want to play in someone else’s sandbox. I want to create my own story, my own characters and possibly own the rights to them.
Just something I’ve learned from Mark over the years.
Alan, no offense to you, or others like you who make a living off writing for series like Deathlands, but that just isn’t what I want to do.
So, that, combined with the inability to find appropriate motivation, well, I guess that simply means that I’ll never be published.
It is kind of sad, when I think about it, but you know, at least I accept that. Hey, at least I have a great kid and a loving wife and a really good life, right?
Heh, sorry I digress.
Anyhow, there you have it. My thoughts on what makes a good writer, not just a pulp writer.
Chris
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