In a message dated 4/30/03 2:34:26 PM Pacific Daylight Time, 
gumbietygress{at}juno.com writes:

Barb and Shal,
<< 
 So don't force yourself into the preconceptioned formulas; don't do this
 or that because so and so said so or this is how these authors did it.
 [And don't think I don't Understand -- I've got that particular hitch
 going on several creative fronts, from words to art ... I've abandoned
 music and theatre for the time being.] 
 
 As has been said here many times:
 Turn your formidable talents loose on what you WANT to write, not what
 you think you ought to be writing.
 Search for Resonance.
 THEN, when the dust settles, see where it might fit.
  >>

Then there's the experience of those who came before us.  Old saws like 
"write what you know" and "Gain experience before
writing".  I have a friend 
who thinks I need a wild life like Hemingway to be a good writer.  A person, 
in the final analysis, doesn't have to drink a lot to know what the average 
man feels.  I might choose to go to a bar to observe people, but that 
bartender won't let me stay unless I buy something.  If I don't drink alcohol 
in that situation, the other patrons are likely to think I'm a cop or 
something.  If they learn I'm just a writer absorbing experience, I'm either 
going to get resentment or unnatural reactions(self-conscious changes in 
their behavior).  

I went to school for journalism, thinking romantic thoughts about being a 
roving reporter moving from desk to the field.  Journalism school, on the 
other hand, expects you to want to be an editor.  I chose my creative side 
after my A.A.  Experience is the greatest teacher.  

Mike S.

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