I overheard a conversation the other day and it has bugged me ever since. Of course, I didn't want to be rude and interrupt, but part of me really wanted to scream and strangle one of the women talking. It goes like this...
Lady 1: Did you read the Twilight series?
Lady 2: No, my daughter devours them, but I have no interest in vampires.
Lady 1: Oh. I would love to write a book one day and have it turned into a movie.
Lady 2: Another vampire movie??
Lady 1; No...it could be anything. I mean, I always have these ideas or short stories. You know, I used to write stories in school. But, I always got bad grades because of my spelling and grammar.
Lady 2: Ugh, I hated English or Writing in school. It's just awful.
Lady 1: Yeah, my teacher completely ruined me on writing.
ACK! Oh no!! Did you know Lady 1 that we have these things called computers with vast arrays of knowledgeable software to inform you of grammatical or spelling or punctuation mistakes?? Lady 1, I urge you to sit down and write what is running through your brain. Just for fun!! Please?! Lady 2-leave her alone!!! Lady 1 needs to be my friend. She needs to see the amazing networking community of writers that can't spell certain words right to save their lives, or can't figure the difference between semicolon and comma...but still make it with the help of this community and super smart computers.
So, here is my plea. If you think you don't have the talent to write because of your technical skills....DO NOT WORRY! Sit down and just write it. You don't have to show it to anyone. You don't have to try and become published. But I bet if you sat down and wrote that one little nagging story down, or real life situation that's bugging you....you'll change your mind. And the technicalities...that comes with practice.
Great post! It's so easy to get caught up in the mechanics and forget that the most important thing is to tell stories. And hey, if grammar check doesn't catch it, a good CP will. :)
ReplyDeleteThe English teacher me is crying. I try so hard to convince my students of the exact opposite. Wilson Rawls threw Where the Red Fern Grows in the garbage after he first finished it because of grammar - but we all know what a great story THAT turned out to be. :-)
ReplyDeleteKristi,
ReplyDeleteI love this post. I used to feel this way. Grammer is not my strong point but you can learn and practice. I'm finding such great support in this community. My advice--learn from everything/everyone you can and practice, practice, practice.
Thanks!
I am a terrible speller...yet I love to write...
ReplyDelete...and don't blame the teachers!
ReplyDeleteThis is so very true! It all comes with practice! I wish more people realized you don't need a Masters in English to be a brilliant writer!
ReplyDeleteWell said!
xoxo -- Hilary
Great post! I'm terrible with the technical stuff and spelling. ;)
ReplyDeleteGreat advice, 'sit down and just write it'. It gives you something to start with. I'm always telling my teen writing students to get something down; adjustments can be made later. My theory is that you need to encourage, not discourage creativity. Good post:)
ReplyDeleteI always feel sad when I hear stories like that. One of the reasons I became a teacher was to spread my love of reading and writing. It's soooooooo important!
ReplyDelete