A Private Journal

It is summer. It is hot and muggy. That's the political climate in Wisconsin. The weather is much the same. Frankly the heat feels good after the winter.

While the contentious political scene is raising a lot of people's blood pressure, it has been great for writing. Ray Bradbury urged writers to write from passion and Wisconsin's political happenings have created a lot of that. Not much of that is suitable for this blog except to mention that writing a journal is a great way to vent feelings and say what you would never say to anyone. So whether you're angry at the arrogant, high-handed actions of an ignorant governor and his cronies or you think all he needs is a robe to be JC, write it down, but write it in a journal, a private journal. What you learn from writing your feelings in private will help your public writing in the future. Write something -- write, right now!

Experience

EXPERIENCE

“Quantity gives experience. From experience alone can quality come.” Ray Bradbury, ZEN IN THE ART OF WRITING.

Bradbury’s essays on creativity are a series of pep talks for writers. Few of us will have his talent, but we all can learn from his insightful advice.

He wrote at least a thousand words everyday from the age of twelve. Expect to do a lot of writing before you get published. I’ve heard several novelists say that it takes about three novels before one gets accepted. That’s a lot of work, a lot of words written and revised.

Back to work, writing. For now we’re focusing in on quantity. Writing a journal, stream of consciousness, family stories, short story attempts, descriptions, essays, or anything is good. Just write regularly and often. Make the habit; train the brain. Write, write, right now!