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Write Space Literary news, views and reviews http://taurangawriters.org.nz |
 This week's Write Space by Jan Goldie. |
1) Entertainment value
The English language has literally millions of words ready and waiting to amuse you; cowpat, pernickety, salubrious. I dare you to say any of those three really fast or very slow without cracking a smile. What about their meanings? Bovine comfort gesture? The noise your Grandma's knitting needles used to make. Surely, a luxury brand of toilet cleaner. But no, when I looked them up in the dictionary, they meant completely different things.
2) Live vicariously
It's a distracting word, vicariously. Basically it means using the power of imagination to enjoy someone else's life. You can do this by being a weirdo stalker type, or... you can write. Fancy a blonde bob and a superhero cape? Go for it. Thinking about living in Italy, then India then Indonesia? Knock yourself out. Writing gives you permission to be whoever you want, wherever you want. At least on ‘paper'.
3) The blogosphere
The internet has created a whole new world wide web of opportunities for writers. Articles to write, content farms to populate, reviews to pen and e-books to create. But blogs are the best. They're a great place to (in no particular order):
- air your dirty laundry
- complain about anything
- record your public or most private moments
- share your opinions, your thoughts, your appointments... anything!
- Write to your heart's content. Somebody will read it.
Or if blogs seem a bit long winded, stick to twitter. You can't write more than 140 characters! It's forbidden. Short and sweet, learn to tweet.
4) Meet new people
It's a common misconception that writing is a solitary pursuit. Sure, we need a bit of peace and quiet to tap out a masterpiece every now and then but we're as social as the next person. While they might be a tad curious to know you haven't yet written a word, mosey along to Tauranga Writers and NZ Society of Authors Bay of Plenty meetings and put in your ten cents worth. Join in the critique, have a nice chocolate biscuit, down a glass of wine and chat somebody up.
5) Everyone has a story:
Seriously though, everyone has a story to tell. Whether you're offering memories of a world gone by, hopes for a better one or the invention of a whole new planet, there's a story inside you. Come on, lose the frown, write it down.
Links:
Tauranga Writers Group or search Tauranga Writers on Facebook
New Zealand Society of Authors Bay of Plenty Region
Blogs: www.blogspot.com