penandpatience

WRITERS WORDS: “Don’t forget—no one else sees the world like you do, so no one else can tell the stories that you have to tell.” – Charles de Lint

MARCH 2023 MONTHLY MUSING

WRITER “HELPMATES” ABOUND!

We are all writers. Writing begins at an early age with “ABC’s throughout life. Writing encompasses many styles, languages and has existed in various forms from the world’s earliest centuries. Historically, cave men used finger painting on cave walls for communication. Ancients utilized styluses, quills, and tablets that over time developed into today’s pencils, ballpoint pens, typewriters (yes, they still exist) and computer software.

Written communications affect all life activities. Many of us develop the love of writing from early exposure by family, schools and all levels of books and magazines.  Individuals from all walks of life have become authors, journalists, editors, novelists, poets, columnists, English professors and creative writing teachers. Writing, like any other profession, requires knowledge and developed skill sets…and most of all, an ongoing commitment and intense desire to write.

I muse…I believe one of the best “Helpmates” is reading. Reading non-fiction/fiction books and other available writings in all genres, over time, is beneficial in developing your writer voice. Writing in all its components has a long learning curve and as the Writer Words quotation above indicates, only you can tell the stories you choose to share with others. Over time I’ve perused many writer “Helpmates.”  I’m listing and sharing below some of my favorite writing support publications:

On Writing – Stephen King

Jane Friedman-online newsletters/writing course studies

Writer’s Digest and The Writer Magazines

Bird by Bird – Anne Lamont

Self-Editing for Fiction – Browne & King

On Writing Well – William Zinsser

Police Procedure and Investigation, A guide for writers – Lee Lofland

Fire Up Your Fiction – Jodi Renner

Worldwide Freelance-Gary McLaren

Funds for Writers, Hope Clark, Author (online)

And a recent 2023 read: “Dear Writers,” Inspiration and Advice on Writing, by Coleen Murtagh Paratore

A quotation by James Michener, well-known successful author: “I love writing. I love the swirl and swing of words as they tangle with human emotions.”

And another: “Amateurs sit and wait for inspiration, the rest of us get up and go to work.”- Stephen King

And… an inspirational poem?

THE LAZY WRITER

By Bert Leston Taylor

In summer I’m disposed to shirk,

As summer is no time to work.

In winter inspiration dies,

For lack of out-door exercise.

In spring I’m seldom in the mood,

Because of vernal lassitude.

The fall remains. But such a fall!

We’ve really had no fall at all.

I believe reading various writing resources may aid and inspire writers.  However, the greatest “help” is at the end of your arm😊    – JUST WRITE.

HAPPY READING!          HAPPY WRITING!