copyright 2012, Pat Bertram
David Gerrold's book, Worlds of Wonder, is a book on how to write science fiction and fantasy, but it's a good reference for all of us who want to take our writing to another level. He not only explains certain concepts better than anyone I've ever read (such as, "The name of the game is Hurt the Hero! Why? because if he doesn't hurt, why should we care?"); he also philosophizes about writing:
a
As a human being, you make a difference. Simply by existing, simply by being in the room you make a difference. What kind of difference do you want to make as a writer?
a
As a human being, you make a difference. Simply by existing, simply by being in the room you make a difference. What kind of difference do you want to make as a writer?
a
Your book, your story, your script — whatever you write — that’s
your way of challenging the world.
What do you want to say to the rest
of your species?
a
- Without writers, films would be nothing more than demolition derbies.
- Without writers, no one would be aware of social ills, climate changes, and other important issues.
- Without writers, politicians would be speechless.
- Without writers’ scripts and scripted sound bytes, celebrities would be as lumber-tongued as the rest of us.
- Without writers, singers would have no song.
- Without the ability to write, no one would be able to text, instant message, or email.
- And without fiction writers, there would be no novels, and hence no way to delve into what makes us human beings
a
What you write matters. It has an affect on the people who read it. Use your power wisely.
What you write matters. It has an affect on the people who read it. Use your power wisely.
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Pat Bertram is a native of Colorado.
When the traditional publishers stopped publishing her favorite type of book -- character and story driven novels that can't easily be slotted into a genre -- she decided to write her own.
Light Bringer is Bertram's fourth novel. Light Bringer, Daughter Am I, More Deaths Than One, and A Spark of Heavenly Fire, are all available from Second Wind Publishing.
Bertram's publisher says: "I was told by some other small publishers with whom I had done research that I was going to get mountains of unacceptable crap for every worthy thing I received. So when I got Pat's manuscript for A Spark of Heavenly Fire, which was like the first submission to Second Wind, I thought, 'OMG, is this possible?!' I knew in the first 20 pages that she was the real thing."
Visit Pat Bertram at: Facebook, Gather, Good Reads, Squidoo, Twitter
Pat, I am crazy about this post. Kudos to you and thanks for linking us to David Gerrold's book. It's all SO true. Career validation is a nice thing, especially when you start to flag sometimes, right? Stay warm!
ReplyDeleteSo great to be here on Murder by 4 agian, Aaron! It's always wonderful when someone likes what I write -- it makes it seem as if what I write really does matter!!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Pat! You are SO right! We love having you hear and look forward to two more guest posts I've already got ready, thanks to you! Take care and keep on writing. ;o)
ReplyDeleteWe may never know who reads what we right or how they'll be impacted by it. Hopefully, that voice within us will keep us writing what is true.
ReplyDeleteMalcolm
Pat, so nice to see you on this site. I love that you stay true to your own creative voice.
ReplyDeleteYour writings are excellent.
Hi, Malcolm. Thank you for stopping by. You make a good point -- we don't know who reads what we write nor do we know what it means to them. In the end, all we can write is what is true to us, and hope it will spark a corresponding truth in another mind.
ReplyDeleteHi, Monica! Thank you for stopping by. It's always good to see new friends in new places. Thank you for the compliment on my writing. It's always good to hear nice things.