Why I'll never be a great writer. Or ballerina.

I'm nearly through Stephen King's "On Writing". It's been quite a fascinating read. And I won't try explaining why. Unless the mood strikes me. Some other day. :)

In any case, I've realized a few things, since starting to read the book... Things about myself. Reading and thinking and pausing will do that to you.

I'm not a spectacular writer, it just happens to be the medium I feel most comfortable in, expressing myself. Besides water. And trilling in a loud fashion. For my own amusement. >:D

If I were to write, I wouldn't attempt fiction: I simply don't have the creativity or even the interest/desire. I do like relating things in writing, though... You're in your own little world. If someone happens to read it and find it interesting, all the better. But if nothing else, it's at least therapeutic.

There are very few people (read: none) who enjoy being flooded with my wise (read: stupid, aherm) commentaries on life. That's what a blog is for. Sometimes, I'm not wise enough to keep things in their proper place. It's one major con to being alone: nobody to share your random pearls of enlightenment (yes) and wisdom (sure) with. :D

Anywaaay... Here are some lessons I've learned from Mister Stephen King:


-Lesson 1: Expose the yucky stuff.

Writing requires high levels of honesty, both with yourself and your reader, so, you can't be much of a private person, which I am. To be good at writing, you have to be willing to expose the less-pleasant/beautiful sides of your (and others') nature, otherwise, it's just so much less interesting, appealing and, well, sell-able (if you're concerned about that). Maybe one day, when I'm old and I really-really-really (right now it's only really) don't care...

-Lesson 2: Experience the yucky stuff.

I've wondered why women aren't as good at writing/stories as men are. I'm sorry, but it's true: I don't find nearly as many females' writing as fascinating as males'. Maybe it's the thought processes. Well, I'm not much of a fiction reader, so maybe it's a non-fiction thing, where the thought process really matters. I probably don't have a single book (can't recall) on my bookshelf by a female author. Sad, but true. Then I had this revelation (while reading Stephen King): boys simply go through and experience so much more than girls do!! (And maybe they're much more willing to expose the yuckies.) So: To be a good writer, besides creativity, you have to draw from experience, to a large extent. How can you possibly write something interesting if you haven't experienced anything? Tell me, please. Well, experiencing zero is impossible, but if you've had a fairly normal life, combine that with being unwilling to reveal one's worse-er side and you get a very sorry excuse for a writer indeed, harhar.


So, yeah... those were a couple of the most enlightening things I've pondered within myself, regarding the realities of writing. And since I am a weakling in both arenas, I will never be a great writer.

Not that I ever thought to be or that I could be.

But maybe that ballerina thing stands a chance. :D