The Mysteries of Writing

It has become such a mystery to me. What motivates me to write? Where do the ideas come from? Am I ‘supposed’ to write? What kind of words should I use? Is my plot plot-y enough? Do my verbs zing? Are my characters real characters? Will I ever be published? And how?

When I was a child I told stories, many stories. I longed to be the kind of story that my Dad was. He kept children, teens and adults spellbound with his storytelling. After my parents both died, I looked through some of my Mom’s writing – and there it was. “I wonder when Emily will understand that she is a writer!” For many years I tried to compete with my Mom’s many gifts as a writer, a serving Christian, a muscian, someone who was not afraid to tackle any challenge — even to winning blue ribbons for her flower arranging at the state fair or even painting murals on the walls of her home.

Now I am in the sunset years. I remember the school girl’s gift to me as a teacher, “I must hurry, there they go, and I am their leader.” I look at the calendar and think that I do not have much time left on this earth, I must hurry. At 76, soon to be 77, time is limited. The important parts of life become more precious. (That is another blog)
But still I must write.

Now I write children’s stories. Yesterday as I wrote, my fingers became my brain, I didn’t know where the story was going and suddenly it became clear. My arthritic fingers knew the story before I did. What moves me? Children and the wonder in their eyes with every new experience motivates me. Laughter motivates me. When I consider an idea, I do a funny bone check, does it tingle? Don’t stop, go!

The editing becomes a chore unless I check my blue strip for story-checks – Scene – Character – Conflict – Setting – Dialogue – Senses – No repeated words or cliches – No grammatical errors or to be verbs. When my purpose is clarity, the editing is easier. My perception is not always easily perceived by others. That is a given.

What do I do to improve? I haunt the many websites with writing articles. I read many books and study the plots, characters and language — the style of the writer. I subscribe to either The Writer or Writers’ Digest. I try to learn from everything – that doesn’t cost money. That is the key.

The wonder to me is how God provides ideas to me constantly. He knew me before I was born. He knew what my life would be. Can I leave any stone unturned in my writing knowing that this could be what God wants in my life?
How can I do any less than praise Him forever! And keep writing!

Comments? eacombs@gmail.com