Writing is an art

I have often been told that unless you write the most creative opening few lines in a book and grab the reader by the throat that they will not read further as you will have failed to capture the readers attention and as importantly, imagination.

There is a great new website I have discovered called http://www.webook.com/911writersblock it follows that if you are stuck for a writing topic, this will give you some ideas and inspiration, here's some examples of opening lines:

• A quiet suburban cul-de-sac. A child's bicycle lies on its side, one wheel slowly turning.
• A wedding chapel in Las Vegas at 8 a.m. on a Sunday. An old man is asleep in the rear pew, a blood-soaked bandage on his left hand.
• A woman stands on the side of the highway, slowly walking, her used-to-be white wedding gown in tatters.

I just love the fact that imagination, creativity and storytelling  are alive and well and that these and many other ideas can capture that imagination from which could stem a compelling new storyline/novel.

However, on asking several avid and prolific readers far great than me on whether they potentially thought they could write a novel, most came back with 'no, I'll leave that to the writers, I just like reading them."

I suppose not everyone is born to write and even to become a successful writer, but then again, unless we try, we'll never know. 

Consider J K Rowlings first Harry Potter novel was taken on by the prestigious Christopher Little agency but still rejected by a dozen publishers, including Penguin, Transworld and HarperCollins. The small London publishers Bloomsbury eventually took it on, apparently on the advice of the CEO’s eight-year-old daughter. She read the book and lent it to her friend who also thought it was fantastic.

And another in Stephen King’s first novel was rejected by Doubleday, prompting him to take a teaching job. He began a short story called Carrie but threw the manuscript in the bin. His wife retrieved it. Doubleday bought the hardback rights for $2,400 (1,200), and New American Library paid $400,000 for the paperback rights.

So I suppose like them and many others before them I am starting my writing career and seeing where it takes me. I have a few ideas and creative stories I want to tell, but my imagination seems to run wild at the most craziest of times when walking the dog, driving or just day-dreaming.

The latter being a school past-time when advised by my teacher on whether I wanted to become a window-cleaner as I spent many hours staring out of the window.

Mentoring young people

The New Year 2012 brings with it so many new possiblities and opportunities. When asked just before midnight what my New Years resolution was I have a few goals whilst leaving others to formulate as the year moves on.
My original and first thoughts are always 'to ensure that I don't waste the year'. Fairly broad in the concept of resolutions, but most of my life I want to feel some sort of personal and professional goal(s) have been acheived, otherwise, what's the point!
This also includes my time in giving back to society in whatever form I can beit volunteering, mentoring or my role as a lecurer in instilling and giving back confidence and self-awareness to young people.
The latter role is one I am very passionate about as I see a number of young people come through my door that have been told they are worthless, disrespectful, have no voice and are not listened to. Having stumbled on this career a few years ago, I now believe my journey has reached its pinnacle in this is what I am meant to do, teach and mentor young people.

The fact is, I enjoy it.