Re: Story

[Jim Davis <Madno@xxxxxxx>]

On Monday, November 7, 2022 at 7:07:02 PM UTC-5, ABLE1 wrote:
> On 11/7/2022 1:40 PM, Bob La Londe wrote:
> > On 11/7/2022 11:08 AM, Bob La Londe wrote:
> >> Snipped all that...
> >>
> >> I honestly believe that good writing only requires a moderate
> >> intelligence, and some creativity.  The ability to see relationships.
> >> Not just boy girl, but between places things sights smells people
> >> feelings mores society culture... and you don't have to have a
> >> complete picture.  You can create your own.
> >>
> >> I think basic writing is a skill that can be learned.  Having a frame
> >> work (the skill) helps with everything else.  At first you stick to
> >> the rules.  Like in music where you practice your scales and learn to
> >> keep time, but changes in time and weird gangs of notes can show
> >> artistry. ie.  Learning when to break the rules.  I believe few
> >> musicians who show some artistry don't know the basic frame work of
> >> music.  Some have learned it by rote and some studied music, but they
> >> have the basic framework.  They know how to follow a beat, and that
> >> CDG is Rock & Roll.   Even if they don't know those notes are call CD&G.
> >>
> >> This applies to many things.  I had the opportunity to see the Picasso
> >> exhibit (in Las Vegas I think) some years ago.  It was interesting to
> >> me that he did realism or stylized realism in much of his early work.
> >> He learned the skills and then went nuts with it.  Even if art is not
> >> your thing you should see the exhibit if you have the opportunity.
> >>
> >> Thank you for the compliment, and I do believe that I could become a
> >> commercial writer.  In the end I fear that if I tried to monetize my
> >> ability to write (such as it is) that it might take all the enjoyment
> >> out of it for me.  I already experienced that once to a limited degree
> >> in my experience with that nameless and now bankrupt outdoor magazine.
> >> I had to FORCE myself to write for a long time after that.
> >>
> >> I could certainly do formula work.  Anybody with basic writing skills
> >> could follow the formula and write a romance novel.  With only
> >> marginally more talent they could write an installment or two of a
> >> soap opera.  Perry Rhodan was a never ending science fiction soap
> >> opera.  I would hate it, although I admit I used some soap opera
> >> tricks in the story.  I would hate it.  Not the story.  I might enjoy
> >> it.  Mindless drivel is often entertaining.  I would hate writing it.
> >>
> >> In the end the desire and the drive may be more important than the
> >> skills or the talent. Ambition will get you the skills, and talent
> >> isn't all talent.  Some of it is drive and some of it is skill.  There
> >> is an old cliche along these lines,  "Success is 1 percent inspiration
> >> and 99% perspiration."  That is a hackneyed old saw, but its more true
> >> than many people believe.  You have to put in the work.
> >>
> >
> >
> > I suppose I should add that in retrospect I realize that may sound a bit
> > arrogant.  I am not comparing myself to Joe Satriana or Pablo Picasso. I
> > am saying they too put in the time and did the work to gain the skills
> > before becoming great in their field.  I am not saying everybody can
> > become great and truly unique in their desired field.  I am saying that
> > anybody who is not truly handicapped by debilitating acts of God or
> > nature can be a part of their chosen field if they put in the work and
> > learn the skills.  If they have the drive, put in the work, and are even
> > modestly intelligent they can be good at it. Drive can even overcome an
> > amazing degree of handicap.
> >
> > Drive doesn't mean you have an inherent force of nature in your soul.
> > Drive means you get out of bed when you feel shitty and you make
> > yourself work just as hard as the days when you don't.  That when you
> > are stuck in a pile of shit you pick up a shovel and keep swinging. When
> > you are backed into a corner by thugs you don't shrivel up in a corner
> > and let them kill you.  You step in and keep swinging.  Drive means no
> > matter how overwhelming that pile of rocks in the road seems to be you
> > step in and keep swinging.  Admittedly this may not get you as far as
> > you want to go, but the whole world will be a little better place in
> > atleast a small way if you do what you can.  This may still not get you
> > where you want to be... you will be a little bit closer.
> >
> >
> Ok Bob,
>
> I have read your typing in detail. I am totally convinced that you have
> done your best to convince yourself not to type a story long enough to
> be considered a book. However, maybe, just maybe you should just start
> one and see how it goes. Who knows, maybe you will give up in the
> middle due to "writers block"!! Maybe, you will finish it and somebody
> will actually like it. Maybe............
>
> Not exactly the same but a number years ago I was at a customers
> warehouse doing some security work. I got talking to the guy on a
> forklift and he asked me about my business. Only, to tell me his story
> about his thoughts about a business idea he had and how he was going
> to do this or that and be an entrepreneur. He had a huge amount of
> thoughts on all of it. After about 20 minutes of listening I stopped
> him and said that I had to get my job done. But, I wanted to leave
> him with one thought on your business. He said, Ok?? I said, "With
> all of your thoughts and thinking you will NEVER be in business until
> you take the FIRST STEP!!" I walked away and said, "think about it!!"
>
> About two months later I was back at the warehouse. He saw me, and ran
> over and said, "I took the First Step". I was with an attorney and
> getting the papers started. He thanked me for talking to him.
> I congratulated him on getting started. I haven't been back or seen
> him since. Don't know how it all went.
>
> I know, I KNOW, this book writing thing is not the same. You have
> convinced yourself that you don't want to do it. But, just in case
> please remember that Jim and I will buy your first print!!!
>
> AND WE will know that WE got YOU STARTED!! Right Jim?? :-)
>
> Have a good week!!
>
> Les
Yeah,
Then you and I will be the only two left here and we can say
"We knew him when"    :-o