Guest Post

Training to be a Writer

A friend’s daughter who is interested in writing asked me a question recently that got me thinking.  She wanted to know what kind of special training you needed to be a writer, and I realized that I’d had no formal training at all. Oh sure I’d written letters and memos, term papers and manuals, and even at work I’d strive to make my year end reports and risk assessments readable, even entertaining, with a good rhythm and a nice flow, but other than reading Writing a Romance Novel for Dummies (great book), and asking lot’s of questions from the talented and generous people at RWAC, my local RWA chapter, it was learn as you go.

Some people will tell you take English, English Lit, or creative writing courses and I’m sure they don’t hurt, but I never did. Neither did several of my writer friends. I studied psychology and have always loved reading history and biography.  One writer friend is a lawyer, another is an ex police officer, and one friend raises horses, and writes mystery romances that revolve around horse racing. There’s a lot to be said for writing what you know, and what your life experiences have taught you. In the end you can learn the mechanics of grammar etc through coursework, but story telling is something that comes from within you and your experiences I think.  Most editors will excuse minor problems with the first, if the second fires their imagination.

Before trying my hand at writing I worked as a trail guide, in harness racing, with aboriginal groups in the Arctic, and as a psychologist.  I’m surprised at how often a little something I learned along the way makes it into a story. My background in psychology helps me with my characters; my background with horses comes in handy writing historicals as they were so much a part of daily life, and some of the things I learned in the North I used in a paranormal I was working on.

I think you do have to have certain skills or traits to be a successful writer, and a bit of luck doesn’t hurt either. Obviously you need a broad imagination and you have to love storytelling. All the authors I know are avid and eclectic readers, whatever their backgrounds. I think reading a wide range of books is a huge help. It also helps to be observant. Wherever you go you’re surrounded by rich material to draw on.  If I’m at the beach I’ll close my eyes and listen, hear the waves, the seabirds, people’s laughter and conversation. I’ll describe what the sun feels like on my face, what I taste, the salt in the air, etc.

Every day is different, every place is different, and each person is unique. Take pen and paper and the time to note what’s going on around you and you will always have fuel for descriptive prose. I remember one particular day when I was sitting in an out door café people watching and an odd looking fellow caught my eye as he was walking by. He turned and smiled, as if he knew I was watching him, and he had the sweetest face. Some of you may recognize him in the pages of my new release, Highland Rebel (in stores in September!). If you’ve had the chance to read it I’d love to know who you think he is, or you can always send me a note. Thanks so much for having me here today, and please feel free to comment or ask questions.

Highland Rebel by Judith James, in stores September 1, 2009!

Amidst the upheaval of Cromwell’s Britain, Jamie Sinclair’s wit and military prowess have served him well. Leading a troop in Scotland, he impetuously marries a captured maiden, saving her from a grim fate.

A Highlands heiress to title and fortune, Catherine Drummond is not the woman Jamie believes her to be. When her people effect her rescue, and he cannot annul the marriage, Jamie goes to recapture his hellcat of a new wife…

In a world where family and creed cannot be trusted, where faith fuels intolerance and war, Catherine and Jamie test the bounds of loyalty, friendship, and trust…

About the Author

Judith James has worked as a legal assistant, trail guide, and counselor. Living in Nova Scotia, her personal journey has taken her to the Arctic and the West Coast. Her writing combines her love of history and adventure with her keen interest in the complexities of human nature and the heart’s capacity to heal. For more information about Judith, please visit http://www.judithjamesauthor.com/

Contest:
Thanks to Daniel of Sourcebooks for this fabulous giveaway.
Open to US and Canada. No PO Box please.
Two (2) winners on September 18.

Winners will be announced within a week of the deadline. Please make sure to subscribe to this blog’s feed to find out if you’re a winner. Please contact me within  1 week of posting the winners, or I get to pick another winner.

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Tags: Danielle Jackson, Judith James