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“Listen? Are you listening? I’m talking to those of you…who might be interested in writing.”
I just finished reading Teacher Man, Frank McCourt’s memoir explaining how his thirty-year teaching career shaped his life as an author in his later years. His first book, Angela’s Ashes, was published when he was 66; it won the Pulitzer Prize and was made into a full-length feature film. This alone is inspiring to me as I struggle to build a writing career in the second half of my life. But Teacher Man is brimming with the wisdom McCourt shared with his students in the creative writing classes he taught at Stuyvesant High School in New York City.
“Every moment of your life, you’re writing. Even in your dreams you’re writing…Dreaming, wishing, planning: it’s all writing, but the difference between you and the man on the street is that you are looking at it, friends, getting it set in your head, realizing the significance of the insignificant, getting it on paper.”
I look at the whole world differently now that I am writing a novel. Every building, every snowfall, every sunset, every snippet of conversation overheard in a coffee shop, every black cat that crosses my path, every unusual surname that appears in my spam folder – all of it is potential material. I keep a camera and a stack of note cards in my handbag at all times so that I can record my observations and impressions and save them for later. I also keep a stack of note cards next to my bed; often, solutions to plot problems come to me during those moments between slumber and consciousness, and if I don’t write them down immediately, they are forever lost.
“You might be in the throes of love or grief but you are ruthless in observation. You are your material.”
My novel is not autobiographical, but I do share certain personality traits and occupations with my heroine, and much of what happens to her and those she interacts with are based on personal experience. And whereas I have sometimes struggled with “feeling my feelings” – especially when it comes to negative emotions – now that I am a writer, I am forced to dig for them, in order to fully flesh out my characters, to make them deeply human. Sometimes this is painful, but I am convinced it is also positive.
“You are writers, and one thing is certain: no matter what happens on Saturday night, or any other night, you’ll never be bored again. Never.”
Which reminds me of another maxim, this one from Eugene Ionesco: “A writer never has a vacation. For a writer life consists of either writing or thinking about writing.”
Truer words were never spoken.
Where does your inspiration come from? Do you have a unique method of keeping track of your ideas and impressions? How closely do you identify with the characters in your stories?
by Pam Asberry
28 comments
Great post, Pam! McCourt is an inspiration alright, but you certainly put a thought-provoking post out there! You are so right and with your perception, I can see you writing a fabulous book and being published.
I too keep notes – usually on the computer in my ideas folder. But I am putting a small pad in my purse for emergencies. When I wake in the night, I usually tiptoe to the computer room and “have at it.”
Pam,
I love this post especially the part about Frank McCourt being recognized later in his life and for the interesting things he had to say about writing.
Like you, and probably every other writer, I get ideas and inspiration from the most mundane places — at the hairdressers, when I go out to dinner, overhearing conversations, interesting names is also a good source. I have ideas all the time and I typically write them on the backs of pieces of paper in my purse, where they mostly get lost forever. I need to keep a pad by my bed. I try to transfer these thoughts to the computer when I get to the office. I do have a spiral pad of notecards where I write down things I might use for a story. Hopefully, I’ll remember to consult that “notebook.” If I can I type ideas in a file on my computer.
I find that some of the things I hear in the most unlikely places make good topics for the blog.
Marilyn
Love it! “For a writer life consists of either writing or thinking about writing.” Well I swear that both McCourt and you have been “reading my mail,” LOL! I was just cleaning up from breakfast when I saw the climactic scene of my next book, the heroine’s revelation, and how to use a deleted scene from the first book. Once you’re really into it, the brain never stops thinking about it!
Yes, yes, yes, you (and Frank McCourt) hit the nail on the head. When you can leave a manuscript for months and months and not even think about writing, you haven’t gotten to the stage yet of being a real writer. Real writers have their current story or a future story running around in their heads continually.
I carry a small 3×5 notebook in my purse for ideas that flash when I’m not home.
Sandy
Great post Pam! You said it so clearly that one sees life differently when writing a novel. Very true; anything is fodder and I find myself more curious and tuned in to the human condition. It heightens our awareness, which in turn helps us translate things to the page.
I even ordered a funny button magnet that says “I’m a writer. Anything you say or do may be used in a story.” While we all have to fictionalize, the core of it is true
Elaine
It’s that time between sleep and awake that’s so creative for me. Plot problems untangle, solutions appear, even words just reverse their order to make sense. It’s writing it down that’s the real trick!
Maxine, thank you for your encouragement! I have a folder for ideas on my laptop, too, but it is good to have something more portable and accessible for emergencies. Put that notebook in your purse; you won’t be sorry!
Yes, Marilyn, it is extremely encouraging to know that Frank McCourt met with so much success so late in his life. Anne Lamott records her ideas on note cards, and then strings them up on a clothesline in her writing area; I think I’m going to try that!
So true, Deb; just another argument for finding time to write EVERY DAY!
Right, Sandy – or, as Steve Pressfield explained in “The War of Art,” you are an amateur and not a pro. Obviously, YOU are a pro!
That’s funny, Elaine! And I have a t-shirt that says “Careful or you’ll end up in my novel.” Maybe that’s why guys don’t talk to me…
I know what you mean, Pamela; I receive inspiration at that time of day, as well, but by the time I am conscious enough to make notes, the inspiration is already gone. Something to work on!
I have found that writing consumes me. I do it during the day, I dream it at night and think about it all the time. I keep a file of “Books to Be” so that I’m never lost for an idea.
Susan, I love that title, “Books to Be.” I might just steal it!
Pam, such a great post. I agree that writers never stop – they are either writing, thinking about writing, or rehashing something just written. It can be an exhausting world to live in!
I keep Post-It notes all over the place – my desk especially and I’ve been known to call my own voicemail and leave messages to myself.
Thanks!
Exhausting, yes! But exhilarating, too. Post-Its are a great idea; I plotted the novel I am working on completely on Post-It notes. And I like the suggestion of leaving oneself a voicemail message; sometimes I come up with plot solutions while I’m driving, and it would be a lot safer to call myself than to try to make notes. Whatever works, right?
Pam, I love the questions you ask. Where does your inspiration come from? The thing I hope for in people, the things I fear most.
How closely do you identify with the characters in your stories? A lot. Everything my characters think and feel are things I’ve thought and felt (for better or worse) at some point in my life.
Thanks for sharing!
Good answers, Nicki. I identify closely with my characters, too. I think that would be true even if I were to write a heroine very different from myself. Thank you for stopping by!
Excellent, excellent post, Pam. You’ve given me lots to think about. Yes, I believe as writers we are always either writing or thinking about writing – or gathering material from life.
Last night when I laid down, I was in “creative” mode and wrote a bunch of stuff in my head as I drifted off. Fortunately, I remembered it this morning and was able to capture some of it.
Though I hate that nagging feeling about whatever it was I forgot and left out…
I got the canvas bag that has the “Careful,…” phrase on it for Christmas! I have hundreds of index cards and about thirty notebooks with the basis of half a dozen novels and novellas. Another blank book in the desk by the computer, in the living room and upstairs in the bathroom (where I do some of my best work, just awake). God seems to send me what I need, in research, in strangers or aquaintances giving me stories, finding quotes. There’s a good chunk of myself in each of my characters (even the heroes). Fun post! Thanks.
Great post, Pam. I have notebooks in almost every room in the house including the bathroom. In the car I have a recorder. My mind seems to engage more when the car’s in gear, so no jotting down ideas there.
Linsey, I’m glad you remembered the ideas you came up with as you were drifting off to sleep last night. Maybe if you stop thinking about you you will remember whatever you forgot, too. At least that’s how it works for me.
Great strategies, Sia! I tend to come up with ideas when I am driving, so I am going to steal Leslie’s technique of leaving herself a voicemail. I think it’s fascinating how each individual has her own unique methods of note-taking; I’m going to try them all, and keep what works best for me!
Very good post, Pam! I used to be self conscious of people watching cause I didn’t want people to think I was being nosey. Now, life is fair game and if you are doing something in public you don’t want people to see, don’t do it! Or don’t get mad when people stare… Just my opinion…grin… I’ve got the notebook in my bag. Haven’t started writing stuff down at night but I really should. I know I lose a lot of good material when I wake up the next morning and can’t remember.
Thanks for a thought provoking post.
Have a great weekend!
Tami
Yes, Tami; all is fair in love and war – and writing! Thanks for stopping by!
Julee, it sounds like you have all of your bases covered. I know what you mean about the universe supplying your needs, and your characters containing chunks of yourself. Thanks for your comments!
Loved the post
Thanks, Donna!