First, I have to thank all of you who voted for me for Best All-Around Hubber. I don’t think any of us are immune to the wonders of praise, and I am humbled and honored by your faith in me. I will write an article about my HubPages experience next week but for now, my sincere and heartfelt thank you.
Now on to the business of the day…learning to be a good writer.
QUOTE OF THE DAY
“Talent is God given. Be humble. Fame is man-given. Be grateful. Conceit is self-given. Be careful.”
John Wooden
What wise words from a wise man.
THOUGHT OF THE DAY
This business of talent with regards to writing is an interesting topic so let’s explore it a bit. Are great writers born with exceptional talent or did they work to maximize what gifts they had? I personally think is a combination of many factors. I think having a solid foundation is important. As much as I hated the nuns for drilling into me proper grammar, I can now look back and say thank you for doing it. I know that my mom and dad insisted that I read and read often, so I’m sure that had a role in helping me to become a writer.
I have read about many of the great writers of our time and every single one of them had determination and a willingness to go to any lengths to succeed.
I know from my time in a classroom that a mediocre writer could become a good writer with proper teaching and encouragement.
So what is the answer? I think, and this is just my opinion, that anyone with a pinch of talent can develop that talent and become a good writer. I won’t use the word great because that word is bandied about too often. Great is Blake. Great is Hemingway. Great is Hawthorne and great is Steinbeck. The rest of us are just trailing in their path hoping for some crumbs of greatness.
To develop talent requires hard work. Writing is considered an art form and as such it requires constant practice and constant attempts to improve.
Let me ask you this: what have you done to improve your writing skills this week?
PROMPT OF THE DAY
You know the drill. Write 200 words about this picture and appeal to all five senses in those 200 words.
CONTEST OF THE DAY
Gemini Poetry Contest is now taking submissions. The application fee is only $5, which is a very reasonable fee. Submit three poems before January 2nd and you just might win $1,000 or a number of secondary prizes.
OPPORTUNITY OF THE DAY
Chicken Soup of the Soul is taking essays about how you have rebooted your life. I believe they pay $200 if they accept your story. You can submit your story here.
THAT’S ALL FOR TODAY
But I’ll be back next Tuesday with another installment. I hope you all have a great weekend and thank you for dropping by during your busy day.
Bill
“Helping writers to spread their wings and fly.”
Billybuc
Artistry With Words 