Intro to Write With RCS

 Write With RCS: An introduction to a writing niche 

             Here are some little essays on writing. There are a couple of more in the works and ideas for couple of more in mind That seems enough to begin this little niche blog dealing with writing.

             Over the years I have had several blogs, but nearly all of them have had a mix of many topics. I have seen and believed that the better blogs nearly always have a discrete topic or niche. So, now I intend to try and have such a blog.

 

            My present suggestion to bloggers, including myself, is to sort and present your writings into clearly defined areas. My first efforts to that end will be this blog on writing. "Writing" may not be enough of a clearly defined area. So, it seems I have a great deal of room for improvement.

 

            This blog will deal with the practice of writing. It may become a "how to" start writing and keep writing and include suggestions for getting "unstuck." It may include a suggestion or two for completing a useful draft. I will probably post of seeing our writing as a process of self-development and growth. The posts here will be about bettering our writing.

 

            It is beginning to sound like a "how to blog." Maybe I should call this blog, Hints For Bettering Our Writing. I say 'our' and mean 'our.' So I will appreciate your comments, suggestions, corrections, and hints for better writing because I need them. There is a "comment" window below where you can write to us. Your commenting can be anonymous, but it is better if you can identify yourself. Of course you an identify yourself with a pen name if you wish. 

            To start a valuable piece of writing, consider making a problem interesting and follow by offering a useful solution.

 

 

                                                                                                            Richard C. Sheehan     

Start Writing

  For now, try this:

                Write without stopping to worry, correct, or edit. A way to better writing is practice.  A way to practice is to start writing and to keep writing for more than five minutes without stopping. You will write some phrases you will really love. You will find it hard to throw them away.

                Be ready to to throw them away because  they probably won't fit the writing you end up with. If you don't come up with a whole new focus or angle, you will probably come up with a whole new subject.

                Before you do throw away what have written do this: Read it and pick out your best three or four best sentences. Then reread them. As you do so consider improvements you might make in them. Rewrite them and save them for a while.




                                                                                                Richard Sheehan

Growing, Organizing, and Writing

 Write With RCS: You grow as you write. You organize your writing for your readers.  

 

Some of your  best writing may go a bit like this:

        You start writing about a dog you had. Then you are writing about sadness. Then you are writing about personalities of dogs. You keep writing. You find that you are writing about the effects of the past. Then you write a poem about names. You are thinking. You are cooking.  Then you write an autobiographical self-analysis. Then you write a story about your family. You are bringing out different aspects of your material. You are preparing for some very good writing. Hang onto this work for awhile.
Reread it. You are likely to find both useful material and useful inspiration in the words, sentences, or  a paragraph you have written.

        I remember a English teacher, an ex-bosun's mate.  The dog example above reminds me of his frustration with me. "Damn it, Richard," he once said, "Try something like this: I like dogs because they have four legs, wag their tails, and bark. Then write a paragraph each about legs, tails, and barks  Finish it with "That's what I like about dogs." Hand it in and forget about it."
     

            He may have been trying to tell me something about simple organization and completing  assignments. By having a bit of your previous writing in mind you could have material well worth organizing and "handing in."

 

            Keep writing. Write in "comments" just below this post.

                                                           

 

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             by Richard