Re: Story

[ABLE1 <somebody@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

On 11/8/2022 1:19 PM, Jim Davis wrote:
> 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


LOL