A Writer's Moment: And he did

A Writer's Moment: And he did:   "It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of be...

And he did

 

"It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair, we had everything before us, we had nothing before us, we were all going direct to Heaven, we were all going direct the other way - in short, the period was so far like the present period, that some of its noisiest authorities insisted on its being received, for good or for evil, in the superlative degree of comparison only.” – Charles Dickens

 

Opening lines of books often can make or break them, and one of the most famous of all time despite its “run-on” nature, is Dickens’ opening to A Tale of Two Cities.  It’s the intro to what would become one of the 100 greatest books of all time – about the universal nature of the book, the French Revolution, and the drama depicted within its pages. 

 

Born in Portsmouth, England on Feb. 7, 1812, Dickens was the most popular novelist of his time and remains one of the best known and most read.  His works have never gone out of print and have been continually adapted  for the screen since the medium was invented – the most famous being the beloved A Christmas Carol.  He wrote 15 novels, 5 novellas and hundreds of short stories and nonfiction articles.  He also was a tireless letter writer; campaigned vigorously for social reforms and was a popular speaker in appearances around the world..

 

And he created dozens of memorable characters, many who took on lives of their own and became part of our vernacular.  Think “Scrooge,” for example.  His biographer Claire Tomalin regards him as the greatest creator of character in English fiction after only William Shakespeare.  Dickens gave the world a view of Victorian England that remains as vivid today as it was in its own time.

 

“The most important thing in life,” Dickens said, “is to stop saying ‘I wish’ and start saying ‘I will’.” 

A Writer's Moment: 'Setting a pattern for success'

A Writer's Moment: 'Setting a pattern for success':   “When I get started each day, I read through and correct the previous day's 2,000 words, then start on the next. As I reach that figur...

'Setting a pattern for success'

 

“When I get started each day, I read through and correct the previous day's 2,000 words, then start on the next. As I reach that figure, I try to simply stop and not go on until reaching a natural break. If you just stop while you know what you're going to write next, it's easier to get going again the next day.” – Neal Asher

Born in England on Feb. 4, 1961, Asher is a leader in the world of science fiction writing.   The son of educators "and sci-fi" fans, he has been writing since secondary school, although he didn’t turn to it seriously until he was nearly 30.  After working as a machinist and machine programmer, then as a full-time gardener, he wrote his first short story and had instant success.  After a few more, he turned to novels and never looked back.  

Since 1989, he’s turned out some 50 novels and dozens and dozens of short stories – many of his books set in a sci-fi world he calls “The Polity.”  His most recent book, the start of his new “Time Shadow” series, is Dark Diamond.    Asher credits his success to hard work and a regular writing routine (that 2000 daily words mentioned above), and keeping an active, inquiring mind. 

 

“For me,” he said, “the writing process is the same as the reading process. I want to know what happens next."

A Writer's Moment: 'Tangling with human emotions'

A Writer's Moment: 'Tangling with human emotions':   “I love writing. I love the swirl and swing of words as they tangle with human emotions.”  – James A. Michener   Born in Pennsylvania ...

'Tangling with human emotions'

 

“I love writing. I love the swirl and swing of words as they tangle with human emotions.” – James A. Michener

 

Born in Pennsylvania on this date in 1907 Michener wrote 40-plus books, hundreds of essays and short stories, and several screenplays and radio pieces. Most of his popular novels, which have sold over 75 million copies, are lengthy family sagas based on detailed historical, cultural, and even geological research.  

 

Michener’s writing career began during his naval service during World War II.   His first effort (at age 40) was the Pulitzer Prize-winning Tales of the South Pacific, also the foundation for Rodgers and Hammerstein’s long-running award-winning Broadway show and movie South Pacific.    His book Centennial, set in my adopted state of Colorado, was written to coincide with the state’s 100^th and nation’s 200^th birthday and is still exciting and relevant in this 150^th and 250^th anniversary year.

 

I first got turned on to both Michener and my own itch to become a writer when my high school English teacher handed me a copy of his book Hawaii and said, “Read this and maybe someday you can write like he does.  You have it in you.” 

 

“I think the crucial thing in the writing career is to find what you want to do and how you fit in,” Michener offered as advice to writers.  “What somebody else does is of no concern whatever except as an interesting variation.”  

A Writer's Moment: 'Be brave enough to speak the truth'

A Writer's Moment: 'Be brave enough to speak the truth':   “ Be on the alert to recognize your prime at whatever time of your life it may occur.  You must then live it to its fullest.”  – Muriel Sp...