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I’ve been a very fortunate writer. The very first article I wrote for my company newsletter – which was the very first article I ever wrote – took off like its pants were on fire and its butt was catchin’. That led to publication in trade journals and contracts to write textbooks and workbooks and such. At that time the closest thing to fiction for me was an entry into a literary competition that was based on an EMS call and it got me an Honorable Mention. I figure, “Yeah, I’ve been pretty fortunate as a writer.”
In the past year or so, since I decided to be a writer on a full time basis, almost all of my writing (and certainly any writing that has brought in money) has been non-fiction. I’ve been blessed with a writing style and conversational voice that lends itself very well to writing blog posts, SEO optimized articles and lots of “how to” stuff. I’m happy to do it and I’m proud of what I’ve accomplished.
I got no story
As a writer, the crowning jewel of achievement would be a novel that ends up a best-seller. In my mind, all of the other writing that I do is kind of a prep school for that achievement. I wouldn’t be surprised if there were other writers who feel just the same way.
So I’ve got this great writing voice, most of the grammar chops and an understanding -albeit basic- about the business end of things. Cranking out a novel should be no problem. That’s what I thought. There’s only one problem:
I got no story. None. Sure, I’ve written some short fiction and a flash fiction piece or two but nothing stands out as remarkable. I do ok with the short fiction because I can start and finish strong. Both of my novels however, are stalled at about the 20 page mark. Why? ‘Cause I got no story. Both of them have -ahem- awesome starts. Great dialogue and I feel like the reader would be captured. At about 20 pages in they fizzle because I’ve got NFI where to go. The canvas is too wide open, too broad.
What to do
The way I see it, there are two ways to go:
I could start outlining, get some coaching and use some story organization software. I’m not sure that would help with not being able to story my way out of a paper bag, but I probably owe it to myself to try.
or
I could resign myself to the fact that maybe some writers aren’t fiction writers. It may be that writing talent does not universally cross all types of writing. I could focus on publishing non-fiction books and continue ghostwriting and such.
Which leads me to the title of this post. Do you think that writers can do it all? Are writers inherently “gifted” in one particular area?
I don’t know…. I think I feel the same way. I started a novel a while back and got about 20 or so pages in too. I thought I stepped away because life is just so busy but it probably is because there are just too many options (aka directions) for the story to go. Maybe we feel like we don’t have the time to consider all those options, ya know? Maybe if we were on a deserted island or in a cabin nestled deep into the woods–with nothing else on life’s plate–we could let our imagination run wild and spend endless hours, days, weeks, months on nothing but a novel and actually end up with something fantabulous. Ya think?
Who knows…
Michele
Michele,
I think maybe so,but then again I’d be up against the whole too many directions thing.
Maybe we should start the “20 Page Novelists” club!
George
There ya go, George! LOL
Michele, I used to fantasize like that, too. But then I discovered that the times I really lit a fire under my own butt to tackle a large writing project were the times I produced a finished work.
Sometimes being savage about blocking out low-priority input from the world *can* be akin to being on a desert island (not ideal, but the closest we can get in this busy society without actually going on a writing retreat).
Ironic, but when I look back that’s how I got a book written and a screenplay finished. How about the book I was working on during a writing retreat I was lucky enough to do in Australia? Hmm, I never finished that book. And I lost all passion for it.
It’s kind of a “tough love” deal but I’ve seen it work for others too.
.-= Milli´s last blog ..Light That Bucket! ~ A Special Tribute to George & Lisa White =-.
I’m sure that’s true, Milli. It makes total sense. Sometimes life is just soooooooooo crazy, though. For instance, I’ve had several deaths in my family recently (all young people, ages: 32, 36, and 28). They all left children and spouses. I almost lost my dad during that time as well. I know these sound like excuses, but life’s craziness can definitely pull the reins on our muse, ya know? At least mine, anyway! LOL
And life has been total chaos–and very hard–since moving to this Amish farm.
I do realize what you’re saying, though, and as soon as I catch my breath from the recent tragedies/events, I am most definitely going to have some of that “tough love” on myself and get some projects (of mine) finished and “out there”. (By the way, I know all about tough love–my mom’s a pro at giving it!)
Thanks for the encouraging words!
Michele
Ohmigosh, Michele. Those do not sound like excuses. I know I couldn’t carry on with my own writing while going through all that.
That’s very sad about so many young ones in your family dying and leaving spouses and children. I do have one similar event, but that’s about five or six years ago (so no longer a fresh scar).
Which state are you in on an Amish farm? I live in Ohio and I know we have lots of Amish farms in the countryside here, though I haven’t visited one yet. We moved to Youngstown last September so OH’s still kind of new for us.
.-= Milli´s last blog ..Light That Bucket! ~ A Special Tribute to George & Lisa White =-.
Thanks, Milli.
It is sad that they were so young. I grew up with two of them and the 28-year-old gal was like my little sis….
I’m in Missouri.
When I was a kid, I thought I was a fiction writer. When I was a teenager, I thought I was a journalist. When I was in my 20s, I thought I was a poet. I’ve come to realize as an adult that I’m a little bit of everything: I’m a creative nonfiction writer. My natural style lends itself best to a certain kind of narrative form, while my interests (even as a reader) lean toward fact rather than fiction. It was strange to realize at first, but as I become more comfortable as a writer, I become more comfortable realizing where my strengths and tendencies lie.
Some musicians can play both percussion and string instruments, while others specialize in one or the other; I think the same goes with writers. No one questions why a crime novelist isn’t a poet, so why question why a journalist isn’t a romance writer or why a storyteller isn’t a sports reporter? Prose is always prose, but it comes in many different guises. Me, I’m more a documenter than an inventor, more of a storyteller than a reporter (and more a guitarist than a drummer). I’m better at and more interested in documenting the fantastic things that happen in reality than in imagining a fantastic reality out of thin air. It may be niche-y or odd and difficult to explain to friends and strangers, but truth be told, I don’t even read most bestselling novels, let alone have the desire to write one. I still dabble in short fiction, and I’d still love that jewel of a bestselling book: mine would just happen to be a nonfiction one.
.-= Kellie´s last blog ..Writing blind: Rough drafts, glasses, and a pair of lazy eyes =-.
Kellie,
Thanks for coming by and contributing such great words of wisdom. I really do like the musician analogy and it brings a big Ka-POW in terms of perspective for me.
That’s a great way of looking at it.
Cheers!
George
Great post, Kellie!
For those moments when self-editing gets the better of you, her article “Writing Blind” (linked above in her post) has some great concepts for getting past that tendencies to be hyper-critical of every word we write *as* we’re writing it.
.-= Milli´s last blog ..Light That Bucket! ~ A Special Tribute to George & Lisa White =-.
Hi Milli!
True story right there – and yes, Kellie hit one out of the park with her comment!
*blush* to you both, George and Milli. You’re very kind.
As others have said in the comments, it’s not to say to limit oneself or just give up, of course; if you want to write a novel (as opposed to wanting to writing a bestselling novel perhaps), you’ll do the work and hone the skills and just plumb give it a shot. But I also don’t think it’s bad to focus on excelling on one’s chosen instrument rather than getting hung up on not excelling at all of them. Klark Kent may have been a one-man band, but the drumkit is where he shines (and to this day, he still can’t play the piano).
One of the coolest things about writing, I think, is that whatever work you do is practice for other forms, even when you don’t know it. My study of poetry helped my prose voice; my brief schooling in Latin improved my use of English; I’ll never be a drummer, but my fondness for rhythm affects the way that I write. It wasn’t by design; it just happened. The world is one big ol’ toolbox. Which tools we use and what we build from them, that choice is up to us.
.-= Kellie´s last blog ..Writing blind: Rough drafts, glasses, and a pair of lazy eyes =-.
Hi Kellie!
I do think that all kinds of writing helps to prepare you for all types of writing.
I’m glad I’ve posed this question – the responses have been thoughtful and interesting. George
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Gimme a break. You may have an innate talent that others recognize. Before you write off being able to write in other styles, you’ve gotta put in your 10,000 hours to polish your stone. EVERYONE has to work on some parts of what the job entails. EVERYTHING doesn’t come so easy. just because there are things you don’t know how to do, you should limit yourself?
The ONLY question you should be asking yourself is…do I love doing this? If you do, jump in. Put in the work to learning whatever is needed. With a “natural voice” you may also have a talent for being able to speak in the voice of any character. You won’t know until you study a bit and do something that stretches your natural talent. Did you know that “character-driven” stories exist and there is a whole genre of that? Learn about that for starters.
A wise person once told me – “people want to hear about what you know.” Just as writing came easy to you and others told you that it was notable, you probably have no idea what stories are notable from your own experience until you start telling them to people. So start talking and let others tell you what is notable. Believe them, even though the story may seem commonplace to you.
I would say this to anyone who has asked your question…
.-= Franis Engel´s last blog ..Seductive Content Vrs. Means =-.
Hey Franis,
Great comment. Thanks for coming by and contributing. I’m not really certain I am in the position of giving up quite yet. I think that is partly why I asked the question. I understand that things don’t always come easy and that a certain amount of practice is required, and I’m pretty much ok with that. but the question still stands – and I’m wondering if there are any story writers out there who just can’t get their head wrapped around writing non-fiction stuff.
Thanks for the words of encouragement, I’ll take them to heart!
Cheers
George
Hi George
Well, I have some good news and some bad news. The good news is that it is without doubt possible to be a copywriter or write non-fiction, and write a novel as well. I’ve been doing it for about seven or eight years.
But that leads me to the bad news, I’m afraid. From starting my novel to getting an agent last month, it’s taken almost four and a half years. Though it can be done in much less time, if your work full-time like I do, that’s not an unrealistic figure.
Your story will come, so long as you don’t expect it to happen overnight (which I’m sure you don’t). Writing a novel takes an awful lot of patience and even more determination to plough on when everything suggests you should do the opposite.
Iain
Iain,
Encouragement in its highest form, I’d say.
I’m so appreciative about the thoughtful comments left here about this question.
Thanks Iain.
George
George,
I think most writers are better at some types of writing than others, but if they’re serious about it, they can expand into other areas.
I’m a better editor than writer and a better nonfiction writer than fiction writer. Yet I have written three novels: a contemporary romance, a humorous contemporary romance, and a romantic mystery. All obviously have romantic elements but are otherwise quite different. Although none are on any bestseller lists, they have received good reviews.
Lillie,
You are quickly becoming one of my most favorite commentators! Balance is a good term to use here. Some are better in certain areas.
Cheers
George
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I think writing is a medium in which huge strides can be made. Every book, magazine article as well as blog post we read makes us better writers. Every single one of them.
Then, of course, there are books strictly on writing–which are obviously also of great help.
So, I tend to think that a writer can do it all. But they would have to be passionate about it. If a non-fiction writer desires to write fiction but isn’t really passionate about it, it’s probably not going to be very good.
Personally, at this time, I have no real desire to create a novel. Nor do I think fiction is superior to non-fiction–not even close.
What has caught my interest of late is short stories/anecdotes. I really do enjoy writing them from time to time and have come to understand how difficult they are to do.
I recently wrote up one and felt like I received an entire education on writing by doing so.
.-= Bamboo Forest – PunIntended´s last blog ..A Chance of a Lifetime Only Comes Once =-.
Ryan,
Passion is a big part of it. I know that when I write an impassioned blog post, the words just flow and it feels great. Sometimes I feel that in my fiction writing, sometimes not. I like the short stories I’ve done.
Good to see you again, Ryan. Hope all is well.
George
I am not a great writer and I often admit to some grammatical error, but I really admire people who can write well and who through their writings can convey emotions, angst and even happiness – that’s the kind of writer I wanna be!
Hey Chiro,
I’m raising my hand because that would be me too!
Hard work, to be sure.
Thanks for coming by!
George
George,
By reading this post, I can tell you were destined to be a writer. Your writing style is spectacular, and makes the reader want to continue reading.
I’ve always thought I’m somewhat of a talented writer, especially for my age. I’m only 17, and have wrote well over 1000 articles — all of which I usually write and sell to bloggers and webmasters. I hope to continue writing for a long time to come.
.-= The Gooroo @ Finance Advisory Stop´s last blog ..Moving – For The Better Or Worse? =-.
Gooroo, (I love that name by the way)
Thanks for contributing and for the kind words.
1000 articles and 17? You are totally rockin, Gooroo!
You’re gonna go far, aren’t you? Awesome.
George
Thanks George. I thought I’d play around with the word Guru, and I ended up coming up with a cool nickname
I hope to go far — I’ve always been told the younger you start, the better your chances are at succeeding. I guess this isn’t always true, but I do think the statement has some validity.
Anyways, keep up the good work with your blog — I’ll be back back
.-= The Gooroo @ Finance Advisory Stop´s last blog ..How To Overcome Loneliness If You Work From Home =-.
I think it depends on your initiative. If you really, really, really wanted to write a novel you would do it. If you felt stuck, you’d read a book or take a course or even go back to school for an MFA. I don’t think it’s necessarily about skills not crossing over. It’s about motivation not crossing over.
.-= Alisa Bowman´s last blog ..You Are Not Suffering Alone =-.
Hi Alisa,
Yuppers – the motivation has to be part of the package. And if that isn’t there for some folks, then that’s ok too.
Initiative works to drive us towards our goals, it does. It can help to carry you great distances.
Cheers
George
I used to feel that I could and should write about anything. I’ve written in every genre and medium and on themes across the board.
As I get older and time seems to be less plentiful I find myself leaning more and more to material that is closer to my experience and those of my close relatives and friends.
I am the person I will get to know best and my experiences and those of people close to me are very unique material and something I now want to concentrate on.
I guess I feel stories are meant as a way to get to know people with the veil of fiction as a way to convey the more uncomfortable facts.
.-= Kim H Peres´s last blog ..TV Writing is Mostly About Dialogue =-.
Hi Kim,
That’s a very interesting perspective. I’m sure that most folks would agree that as we get busier, we need to narrow our focus a bit. I’m certain that there are some prolific, high energy folks that can just go 100mph right to the end, but I know I’m not one of them.
George