. . . that people learn their writing skills differently. As unique as writing is, those authors whose names appear on covers as diverse as they are have all participated in the beginning steps and stages of becoming writers—different ones with styles, voices, plots, and genres all specifically crafted according to their desires. Some venturing into new or foreign territory with each novel while others stick with what works for them. Some change mid-stream in their careers or early on by using pseudonyms for different genres.
I can’t tell you how I learned to write, although a great deal of credit goes to my school teachers who enhanced any ability I had by successfully teaching me the ground level rules of grammar and expression. I remember the rules well. I don’t choose to use them all because in stylistic fiction those rules create a formality that doesn’t complement or compliment story, particularly contemporary writing which is what I do. I use a variety of methods such as sentence fragments, less commas, etc., all of them unacceptable in proper grammar yet working well for certain prose.
Some authors study craft books, and others write their own. They list and mark and organize structural integrity for the different kinds of novels (i.e. category romance, suspense) to create stories which stick to form. They often teach at conferences and use references to their favorite instructional books. These books suggest every kind of prop for writing effectively, successfully, and/or dynamically. (And probably without so many adverbs.) They divide, dissect, and demand certain methodologies and steps to attain “good” or “exceptional” writing. And some writers flourish with this kind of instruction. There’s no denying good instructional books are an asset to a writer.
Others of us are absorbers. The school-ish instructional books only work so well for this group. Absorbers must read the stories to ascertain how to tell them. They tend to like a variety of styles and voices. They’ll read a few of the how-to or when-to and why-to books, but soon tire of the lessons and revert to radical reading of fiction in order to better tell the stories that occupy their inspirations.
Either way, writers are “produced”. Sometimes “good” ones are overlooked and sometimes “bad” ones are celebrated. Welcome to the world of publishing.
Regardless of the type of learner you are, the resulting effort will display what you learned and what you abandoned. Your work will either get you published, keep you unpublished, get you noticed or keep you in the shadows. Only God knows what’s in store for you, but it’s up to you to give your best if the heavenly writing call is upon your heart. As a Christian, you’ve given your life over to the Savior. You are not your own. He owns you with His love. So. Think about that. It’s His call what becomes of your writing. Follow Him and find out where the learning journey leads you.
Father, I’m yours. No real prize but, Jesus, you died for me anyway. Unbelievable. Thank you. My writing belongs to you. Again: no real prize. Except for the fact that the inspiration comes from you. Apart from you I can do nothing. I give my all to you. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.