March 4, 2005
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Amateurs and Coincidences
I am always intrigued by those little "coincidences" in life. You know, when you are reading an odd word and then someone speaks the exact same word. When you have been thinking about someone you hadn't heard from in a long time and, voila, they call you.
I went to the library just before my shift to pick up a book I had placed on hold. (I am extremely lucky that I work in a hospital that has a public library branch within it.) The librarian plucked my book from the shelf behind him and of course while he was doing the paperwork he looked at the title. It was "Right to Write" by Julia Cameron. He asked if I wanted to "become" a writer. This flustered me a tidge and I replied that I already write quite alot. He then said he mean't was I a professional or an amateur. I smiled at him and said "strictly amateur...so far". He asked if I had ever heard of Stephen King. (!!who hasn't??) and told me that he had written a book on how to write. I thanked him and went on my way. Then came the coincidences.
On my break I picked up "Right to Write" and began to read. (I guess we all have the right to read too
). In the first few pages she addressed two of the librarians remarks. I'll give you a hint as to which ones - so far in the book I haven't seen her mention Stephen King!
Julia Cameron states that the word amateur comes from the Latin verb amare which means "to love". Therefore to be an amateur at something means to do something you love. In that case I am proud to be "an amateur" at a lot of enterprises that I undertake!
She also discusses the fact that too many people get caught up in the idea of becoming a writer. They get so caught up in it that they never write! They are waiting for the right time, which of course conveniently never comes. That people don't think of themselves as "writers" unless they are famous and or published. She believes you don't become a writer, you just write. That is what I said to the librarian. I write all the time, that makes me a writer.
As for Stephen King? I used to devour his books when I was younger. I found them wonderfully easy to read. That is not a put down. For me, some author's words jump and dance off the page teasing and cajoling me on to the finish. I feel a sadness when I finally turn the last page. Other authors words seem slow and plodding. They appeared to be mired in quicksand. I can see the final destination, but to get there is difficult and tedious. At the end of those books I feel....relief! (I do admit to sometimes cheating and reading the last page of some of those kind of books!) I'm not exactly sure why I stopped reading Stephen King, but would certainly be interested in taking a look at a book written by him on the art of writing. I think next time I am in the library I will ask the librarian to please put it on hold for this amateur writer!!
Comments (1)
I was stuck on Stephen King for a while too up to age 23. I stopped for a combinaton of reasons and one of them was that he started getting into the alien stuff to much versus his original creativity with scariness. Then many of his stories became movies. I've been watching the movies once in a while, but no longer have the interest init that I use to. Things don't change though; people do.
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