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How To Make Your Writing Meaningful
Writing a book is a huge endeavor. It means someone has decided to dedicate a certain amount of time to putting words on paper. But so many people don't finish what they start. Maybe they've run out of ideas. Maybe they lost interest. Maybe they got hopelessly stuck. However I believe the core of all these issues lies in one thing: the writer doesn't know why he or she is writing in the first place.
All you have to do before you venture into the ever-tangled writing forest is leave a few breadcrumbs behind so you'll know how you got there and you'll know the way out! Lay them out by asking yourself the following questions about your work. Use them to challenge yourself, to get inspired, to put your writing front and center in your life. It's hard to get lost when you know exactly where you are.
What Do You Have to Say?
Here's another way to put it: what story are you telling? What is your point in writing this story or work of non-fiction? If you can't answer in a concise way, take some time to think about your message. It can be a huge one, such as a belief about how we all should live. It can be simple such as, "family is important". The big message in my novel was about the power of love in a family. I think I will always write about families because I believe the story of our families is the story of who we are in our hearts. I find the subject touching, challenging, inspiring.
As you think about your message, realize that ideally you shouldn't have to write it down. It should come from the core of your being and you understand it because it is a part of your natural thought process: it is who you are. Take another look at what you have written in the past because your message may be showing up already in your work and you haven't noticed it yet. This is the way August Wilson described the story that was at the core of his whole body of work: "I once wrote a short story called 'The Best Blues Singer in the World' and it went like this: 'The streets that Balboa walked were his own private ocean, and Balboa was drowning.' End of story. That says it all. Nothing else to say. I've been rewriting that same story over and over again. All my plays are rewriting that same story. I'm not sure what it means, other than life is hard."
Who Will Benefit from Your Words?
You will find the motivation to return to your desk each day when you think about what may happen when someone reads your work. Will there be women who can be healthier mothers because you are writing about battling post-partum depression? Will there be men who might feel closer to their fathers because you're writing the next Field of Dreams? When you think of your reader, it takes some of the pressure off of you because you realize the importance of getting the message to him or her. You think less of how you're coming across.
Are You Writing in a Medium That Best Suits Your Message?
I used to write poetry. I loved it too, but somewhere along the line I felt the things I had to say became harder and harder to fit into the confines of verse. I moved over to prose and never went back. I wrote for magazines and experimented with essays before settling into novel writing. August Wilson had written poetry and was working on a novel, but his talents glowed when he wrote for the stage. If you're having trouble completing a project, consider whether you are writing in a medium that is right for you and your message. Don't be afraid of experimenting with other forms. You can always go back to what you were doing before if it doesn't work out.
Step Down from the Soap Box
Writing is already powerful. The fact that people are reading what you write means they are already interested, maybe even absorbed, by what you have to say. You don't have to get up on a soap box and belabor your points to get them across. A simple story can speak volumes about the big picture if you let it. Mr. Wilson once told The Paris Review, "I think my plays offer (white Americans) a different way to look at black Americans. For instance, in 'Fences' they see a garbageman, a person they don't really look at, although they see a garbageman every day. By looking at Troy's life, white people find out that the content of this black garbageman's life is affected by the same things - love, honor, beauty, betrayal, duty. Recognizing that these things are as much part of his life as theirs can affect how they think about and deal with black people in their lives." Get it? Small story, big picture.
One Last Note
I know I'm waving the "big theme" flag here, but what I really want for you is for you to feel the passion of what you're writing. You may be passionate about a big message or you may be passionate about the simple question of "what happens next?" in your story (and you really want to know the answer!) Just connect with that passion and go with it because to me, this is how books get finished--when someone really cares enough to want to get to the end.
© 2005 Sophfronia Scott
BONUS : How To Organize A Book About Family History
From scrapbooking to videography, so many families around the world are trying to document their life history before they depart from this world. But what happens when one becomes frustrated with it all, not enough time and/or money, started a project but never finished it or better yet never even began?
Online experts have provided many solutions to this problem, two websites can be found at the end of this article. Let's begin with some tips from a work in progress to completion.
When the goal is to create a book or video about one's past and/or family, first begin collecting information about the subject(s). Start by letting everyone know about the task you are undertaking, so that they may be able to assist you. Ask them when they would be available for an interview. Most likely, some will be a bit defensive because they may not be happy with their lives, while others will want to talk you to death. Here is just a sample of some questions to put the closed mouth at ease and control the motor mouth when asking about he or she and their grandparents:
1. What is your full birth name and nickname (if any)? (If they had a nickname, ask why they were given that name.)
2. Where did you live as a child? (If it were numerous places, just list city and state and what they liked most and least about each area.)
3. Who were your grandparents (include their full names and dont forget the mothers maiden name.)
4. Where did your grandparents live? (On both mothers and fathers side.)
5. What kind of relationship did you have with both?
6. What do you remember most about them?
7. Describe what they looked like to you.
8. What kind of people were they?
9. What kind of relationship did your mother and father have with them?
10. Did you enjoy visiting them?
Some of the questions you can repeat, this time asking about their relationship with their biological or stepparent. There are so many more questions to ask, but is just a start.
The next task you should consider is following-up with other relatives via phone, email, party or visit with them. Find out as much as you can and take a look at photo albums, newspaper clippings, awards, etc. to add to your notes.
Your notes should be very organized. Consider buying separate notebooks and label accordingly. One notebook may consist of interviews. Another may have a list of the things you may need to buy and a list of business contacts that could assist you with publishing. You may also want to include anyone who wouldnt mind helping you sponsor the book. They may want a particular page or business card size ad for their goods, service, or charity. Designate help, someone who is reliable who can do some research, make some follow up calls and help with organizing.
Dont let any family event pass by without you being there! Family can be more relaxed and open when they get together. Bring along a cassette recorder or video camera and have your questions ready just like a journalist.
Be sure to have a plan for the type of book you are putting together. If it is just a simple family tree then you may not want a coffee table book, but if it is a history of the familys cherished last name, then you may be printing an encyclopedia, so know what you want.
One you have all of your information collected, photos in possession, scan the ones as they relate to the individual or subject matter. If he or she talked about the family farm, then obviously you will want to have a photo of the family farm, if that isnt possible, then use a photo where someone is working on the farm or use a photo of what they may have looked like at the time.
Organize a table of contents page, see similar books for ideas.
You should have a workspace available for your project, if not find one and fast, the longer your information sits in the file cabinet or a bag, the least likely you will want to do anything about it. Take the information you have gathered and start a folder on your computer. Name the file anything that you know you can remember like Family History. Then begin to type each interview in a word processing file, one that is commonly used, this way if you should take your documents to a printing company they will be able to bring them up without any problem. Choose a simple font like Arial or Times Roman, this too will eliminate any potential problems.
Leave space on each page to include a photograph or any other item you would like to include. Later, you will go back to those empty spaces and upload those photos from your computer. Once, you have included all the information, be sure to have someone proofread and check over any historical data. Make necessary changes and go back to include photos. Once again, have someone review the layout and possibly add designs, color and other creative input.
Lastly, put the file on cd and have a hard copy of your document. If you follow these instructions, you should have at least a near finish or completed product.
The following sites are helpful if you choose to put your history online or if you are looking for a much needed family member or friend to complete your story:
Part of a hot new category of social networking sites, OurStory helps users Collect, Share & Keep the memories and moments from life's journey in a permanent, secure online archive. Each entry is organized by date, place and topic on your personalized timeline. Many customers use OurStory as an online journal, online diary or as a blog.
Reunion.com has over 28 million registered users and everyday, we help people find family members, classmates, forgotten friends, lost loves, old business contacts & so forth!
Click the links attached to this article.
From scrapbooking to videography, so many families around the world are trying to document their life history before they depart from this world. But what happens when one becomes frustrated with it all, not enough time and/or money, started a project but never finished it or better yet never even began?
Online experts have provided many solutions to this problem, two websites can be found at the end of this article. Let's begin with some tips from a work in progress to completion.
When the goal is to create a book or video about one's past and/or family, first begin collecting information about the subject(s). Start by letting everyone know about the task you are undertaking, so that they may be able to assist you. Ask them when they would be available for an interview. Most likely, some will be a bit defensive because they may not be happy with their lives, while others will want to talk you to death. Here is just a sample of some questions to put the closed mouth at ease and control the motor mouth when asking about he or she and their grandparents:
1. What is your full birth name and nickname (if any)? (If they had a nickname, ask why they were given that name.)
2. Where did you live as a child? (If it were numerous places, just list city and state and what they liked most and least about each area.)
3. Who were your grandparents (include their full names and dont forget the mothers maiden name.)
4. Where did your grandparents live? (On both mothers and fathers side.)
5. What kind of relationship did you have with both?
6. What do you remember most about them?
7. Describe what they looked like to you.
8. What kind of people were they?
9. What kind of relationship did your mother and father have with them?
10. Did you enjoy visiting them?
Some of the questions you can repeat, this time asking about their relationship with their biological or stepparent. There are so many more questions to ask, but is just a start.
The next task you should consider is following-up with other relatives via phone, email, party or visit with them. Find out as much as you can and take a look at photo albums, newspaper clippings, awards, etc. to add to your notes.
Your notes should be very organized. Consider buying separate notebooks and label accordingly. One notebook may consist of interviews. Another may have a list of the things you may need to buy and a list of business contacts that could assist you with publishing. You may also want to include anyone who wouldnt mind helping you sponsor the book. They may want a particular page or business card size ad for their goods, service, or charity. Designate help, someone who is reliable who can do some research, make some follow up calls and help with organizing.
Dont let any family event pass by without you being there! Family can be more relaxed and open when they get together. Bring along a cassette recorder or video camera and have your questions ready just like a journalist.
Be sure to have a plan for the type of book you are putting together. If it is just a simple family tree then you may not want a coffee table book, but if it is a history of the familys cherished last name, then you may be printing an encyclopedia, so know what you want.
One you have all of your information collected, photos in possession, scan the ones as they relate to the individual or subject matter. If he or she talked about the family farm, then obviously you will want to have a photo of the family farm, if that isnt possible, then use a photo where someone is working on the farm or use a photo of what they may have looked like at the time.
Organize a table of contents page, see similar books for ideas.
You should have a workspace available for your project, if not find one and fast, the longer your information sits in the file cabinet or a bag, the least likely you will want to do anything about it. Take the information you have gathered and start a folder on your computer. Name the file anything that you know you can remember like Family History. Then begin to type each interview in a word processing file, one that is commonly used, this way if you should take your documents to a printing company they will be able to bring them up without any problem. Choose a simple font like Arial or Times Roman, this too will eliminate any potential problems.
Leave space on each page to include a photograph or any other item you would like to include. Later, you will go back to those empty spaces and upload those photos from your computer. Once, you have included all the information, be sure to have someone proofread and check over any historical data. Make necessary changes and go back to include photos. Once again, have someone review the layout and possibly add designs, color and other creative input.
Lastly, put the file on cd and have a hard copy of your document. If you follow these instructions, you should have at least a near finish or completed product.
The following sites are helpful if you choose to put your history online or if you are looking for a much needed family member or friend to complete your story:
Part of a hot new category of social networking sites, OurStory helps users Collect, Share & Keep the memories and moments from life's journey in a permanent, secure online archive. Each entry is organized by date, place and topic on your personalized timeline. Many customers use OurStory as an online journal, online diary or as a blog.
Reunion.com has over 28 million registered users and everyday, we help people find family members, classmates, forgotten friends, lost loves, old business contacts & so forth!
Click the links attached to this article.
