“Good Morning. My name is Denis LaComb and I’ll
be conducting this workshop.”
I’ve
done several of these (‘How to Get Started Writing’) workshops now and the
response has always been very positive. I’ve tried to take the mystery and
confusion out of writing by presenting an approach that focuses on the best
techniques that work for each individual in my class. I stress that there is no
one way, no direct approach, no simple technique to use for everyone. In other
words, not one approach works for everyone. I try to hammer home the idea that ‘whatever
works for you, go for it!’
Writing
is a craft, an art form and a learned skill. But above everything else it is a
discipline. Like anything worth pursuing, writing takes time and effort. There
are no shortcuts or magic pills to take. It’s only the time spent with fingers
on the keyboard or pencil in hand that counts in the end.
I
think the same can be said for a lot of other ventures in our lives. It might
be forging strong relationships, building wealth, raising kids right, or living
a full and satisfying life. Too often we become distracted or bogged down by
simplistic, trite clichés that substitute for solid realistic advice.
I
tell my audience that you need three things to become a writer:
Desire…you won’t know if you have it
unless you give it a try.
Perseverance…you won’t know if you
have it unless you try.
Talent…you won’t know if you have it
unless you complete your project.
These
three points can be the same for just about any other goal or aspiration you
have in life. In my workshop I equate writing to building a house.
Building a House Beginning
to Write your Story
1.
Start
with the foundation 1. Decide what to write about - the topic.
2.
Build
up from there with the framing 2. Gather up all the elements of
your story
3.
Finish
the project 3. Write out your elements in a
story form
Some
folks might see this correlation between writing and other goals in life as a
bit of a stretch. Lord knows I’m no expert. I’ve stumbled more times than I’ve
advanced. I’ve gone backwards as often as I’ve advanced a step or two. Yet I’ve
been persistent and determined to reach that elusive, ever changing, ever-shifting
nebulous goal in front of me. And it’s worked for me.
So
to take that analogy a little further I’ve captured the main points from my
workshop and tried to translate them into this generic
approach to reaching one’s goals.
What form of
writing and what style of writing is best for you? There are many forms of
writing including journaling, poetry, memoir-writing, fiction, non-fiction or
even letter writing as you discover your own unique writing voice, style and purpose.
The
caveat here for writing or any other goal you have in mind is to answer:
what is your passion, what drives you, what topic/s make you want to get up each morning and
write. Remember, you are not writing for anyone else but yourself.
So
translated, what is it that you really want? A better relationship with
someone, creating a comfortable nest egg for retirement, raising ambitious,
stable children, finding a purpose for being here on earth, etc.
1.
Begin
by writing down your ideas, helpful phrases, relevant facts, etc.
2.
Capture those thoughts and ideas that are
central to your goal.
3.
Do whatever research is necessary.
4.
At some point, these ideas will organize
themselves and give you clearer picture of exactly what it is that you want.
In
my workshop, Points Two and Three deal with organizing those ideas, goals,
aspirations. Finally it is time to build on your foundation. In the workshop,
we move on to number 4.
Once
you have enough information then begin to organize ‘plan of action’ with a beginning,
middle and end or by chapters, or in chronological or sequential
order. A few examples might be:
Building Relationships
Make connections that bind
Try to see their point of view
Be kind and understanding
Be patient
Creating Wealth
Spend less than you make
Make saving money an intricate part of
your lifestyle
Go above and beyond in your work (9
– 5 simply doesn’t cut it)
Ancillary income is one approach
Raising kids
Give them unconditional love always
Push them to go beyond their
perceived abilities
Give them experiences in lieu of
material things
Granted,
these are overly simplistic steps but I think you get the idea. Nothing
worthwhile has ever been accomplished without trial and error, hard work and
bumps along the way. Persistence is the answer.
If
you hustle harder than the next person you will succeed. Let’s face it, there
is no better way to live your life than to do whatever it is that you love to
do.
