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On Writing and Life

~ well-seasoned; still simmering

On Writing and Life

Monthly Archives: February 2016

Old Dog, New Tricks

16 Tuesday Feb 2016

Posted by Sandie Tillery in Writing

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Writing Process

Millenials think and write so differently than the classical writers whose stories fed my soul as a young reader. Music evolves and changes through the decades and so does writing style. I enjoy current trends, but love when things that entertain us run full circle as with Lady Gaga singing an old tune with Andy Williams. As I tackle my current writing projects I am looking for that perfect blend, perfect balance of what pleases my soul and what will appeal to a new generation of readers.

As a “well-seasoned” writer, the witty, sharp and sometimes irreverent work of emerging younger writers challenges me to consider my audience in new ways and to learn from the fresh voices that appeal to a broad audience of readers. My complex sentences need to be shortened, the language less flowery and more succinct, and the dialog more provocative and fast-paced. Whew…I have a lot of rewriting ahead of me as I explore these new principles of marketable writing.

The process sometimes overwhelms me. As others have shared, I HAVE to put my volumes of ideas into readable form. I have to. It is who I am. I am a woman of words. I have stories to tell. I have waited too long to do this. So, here goes.

 

Whence Comes Inspiration

10 Wednesday Feb 2016

Posted by Sandie Tillery in Reflections on Life, Writing

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Finding Passion, Writers Groups, Writing Process

A recent writer’s group meeting challenged my big picture view of the craft and processes of writing for publication. The presenters spoke about specific tools and techniques (text formatting and setting goals for completing projects), while  conversation around the topics rolled around those and more personal ideas (building platforms through blogs). I appreciate those whose personal efforts and advice reflect discipline and determination as they set and pursue goals. They have published books and articles (and received some rejection slips) to show for their hard work.

Rose-colored glasses have been set aside as I plunge in to do the hard work of putting thoughts down, following the outline, writing and revising. Progress seems slow… the end far, far away. Each month the adrenaline injection from meeting with other writers entrenched in their own processes energizes me and pushes me forward again. They have given me permission with their encouragement to follow a tangent, to write a related article as a break from the larger project. Part of creating credibility as a professional writer requires submitting writing for a broad audience. After all, what good is writing if not to be read?

Long ago the publisher of my high school yearbook for which I was a co-editor inspired us with pithy sayings. One has stuck in my head ever since: “If you want to be remembered, do something worth writing about or write something worth reading about.” I am aiming for the latter.

Honing my skills gives me courage to keep writing with an end in sight. As other writers have acknowledged, we never know it all. Humility comes naturally for those of us who in our later years are FINALLY doing what we said we would do in our prideful and starry-eyed youth. I have a book in process, articles scheduled and writing to be done. The time has come and now is…

 

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  • Jazmyn’s Journal
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  • Old Dog, New Tricks
  • Whence Comes Inspiration
  • “Live Well for the Master”

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Recent Posts

  • Jazmyn’s Journal
  • A Slice of Life
  • Old Dog, New Tricks
  • Whence Comes Inspiration
  • “Live Well for the Master”

Recent Comments

Barbara Bryant on A Slice of Life
Sandie Tillery on A Slice of Life
Thonie Hevron on A Slice of Life
tea4katie on Whence Comes Inspiration
Sandie Tillery on Whence Comes Inspiration

Archives

  • April 2016
  • March 2016
  • February 2016
  • January 2016
  • December 2015
  • November 2015
  • October 2015
  • September 2015

Categories

  • Christian Living
  • Fiction for Young Teens
  • Reflections on Life
  • Writing

Meta

  • Register
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