| Copyright, Ev Bishop, 2008. No part of this website may be reproduced in any form whatsoever without permission in writing. |
On Frequently Asked Questions...
 |  |  |  |  |
If you've spent any time at all writing creatively...
or rather, if you've ever admitted aloud to anyone
that you write, there are some questions that
come up again and again. I'm delighted
whenever I can answer anyone with something
more eloquent than, "Uh... well... um. Can I get
back to you?" and I'm always surprised by how my
answers, though given honestly each time, seem
to morph and change over the years.
or rather, if you've ever admitted aloud to anyone
that you write, there are some questions that
come up again and again. I'm delighted
whenever I can answer anyone with something
more eloquent than, "Uh... well... um. Can I get
back to you?" and I'm always surprised by how my
answers, though given honestly each time, seem
to morph and change over the years.
Lovely Tree by Jen Brubacher
Photo by Ev Bishop
Q: Where do you hang out online?
A: Ummm... around. Heh heh. Okay, I'll be a bit more specific... I'm known to
play obscene amounts of Word Racer and Text Twist at Yahoo Games and to lurk
at the Compuserve writing forums, posting occasionally.... Mostly I'm found
procrastinating in a small forum that I moderate, conveniently called
"Procrastination," along with some other writing friends. Newcomers (that write!)
are always welcome.
A: Ummm... around. Heh heh. Okay, I'll be a bit more specific... I'm known to
play obscene amounts of Word Racer and Text Twist at Yahoo Games and to lurk
at the Compuserve writing forums, posting occasionally.... Mostly I'm found
procrastinating in a small forum that I moderate, conveniently called
"Procrastination," along with some other writing friends. Newcomers (that write!)
are always welcome.
Q: Why do you write?
A: I get asked that question a lot, usually by people who write
(or want to write) or pursue some other creative endeavor, so my
response (which I'll get to soon, I promise!) is in part an
explanation about myself, and part an encouragement to you.
Okay... "Why do you write?"
A: I get asked that question a lot, usually by people who write
(or want to write) or pursue some other creative endeavor, so my
response (which I'll get to soon, I promise!) is in part an
explanation about myself, and part an encouragement to you.
Okay... "Why do you write?"
I guess that's the most succinct way to describe my personal writing philosophy:
it's always growing and changing. That said, I've spent some time thinking about
the questions I'm most frequently asked. I've even come up with some
responses (that aren't monosyllabic grunts). Ask me again in a month and I may
think differently, but for now? Well, here are some of my current thoughts. For
whatever they're worth. ~Ev
it's always growing and changing. That said, I've spent some time thinking about
the questions I'm most frequently asked. I've even come up with some
responses (that aren't monosyllabic grunts). Ask me again in a month and I may
think differently, but for now? Well, here are some of my current thoughts. For
whatever they're worth. ~Ev
The short form is that, well, I just cannot not write. The long form is, well...
longer. It includes things like: Creating things helps me know myself (and what
I think) better—and writing is my preferred mode of creation. Writing is my way
of trying to make sense of my life and the world around me. Writing is just pure
fun and escape! Writing is my “me” time. Writing is actually the time I spend in
inexpensive, but highly effective therapy…
I think that most people, whether they’re acting on the need or not, have
something inside them that longs to create or to follow a passion, probably for a
similar muck of convoluted reasons. In fact, I’ve never had a conversation with
someone that didn’t eventually lead to what they loved to do in their “spare”
time or what they wished they could do if only they had time. The latter is
always very interesting to me—What is it that makes some of us forbid
ourselves time to pursue an art or hobby? There is a workaholic side of my
nature (probably why I manage to write a fair bit for myself, even while working
for others and spending a lot of time with my family) that paralyzed me in the
past and still occasionally rears its ugly head: “There’s no money in writing!
Shouldn’t you put more time into something that puts food on the table, that’s a
bigger help financially?”
I’m not lazy and I’m always working (or looking for work), so I come back at the
mean voice with: “Writing isn’t about the money. We pay our bills. We eat.
My kids are warm and safe and have nice clothes—We have occasional luxuries.
Shut up!”
The voice snorts. “Blah, blah, blah, arteest—You’ll never be an Atwood or
Urquhart. You’re definitely not a King or Gabaldon. Why do you waste your
time?”
Ouch. That hurts, but I manage to reply anyway. “Writing has always helped
me deal with anger and depression. It puts things in my life in perspective. It
helps me have better relationships with people and allows me to see (and
explore!) possibilities in life. I feel better about myself and better about other
people when I’m writing regularly—”
Usually at this point the voice in my head growls that I’m an idiot, but gives up
his argument, and I’m free to go and write.
If you’ve read this with an “Aha” feeling growing in your belly, because you know
the thing you want to pursue, but have a critical voice of your own to battle with,
you need to find a way to quiet it. If it’s an inner voice, adopt my talking it to
death strategy. If it’s a real person discouraging you, he or she probably just
needs reassuring: having a passion outside of your relationship should only make
you a better, happier person to know and love. And rather than inspire sloth,
having something you do for fun actually makes you able to work harder with
less stress. Encourage people in your life to find their own passions—happiness
loves company. If they won’t, well… You still need to do what you need to do.
So there you are. I suppose I could have answered "Why do you write?" with
that last line. I just need to.
longer. It includes things like: Creating things helps me know myself (and what
I think) better—and writing is my preferred mode of creation. Writing is my way
of trying to make sense of my life and the world around me. Writing is just pure
fun and escape! Writing is my “me” time. Writing is actually the time I spend in
inexpensive, but highly effective therapy…
I think that most people, whether they’re acting on the need or not, have
something inside them that longs to create or to follow a passion, probably for a
similar muck of convoluted reasons. In fact, I’ve never had a conversation with
someone that didn’t eventually lead to what they loved to do in their “spare”
time or what they wished they could do if only they had time. The latter is
always very interesting to me—What is it that makes some of us forbid
ourselves time to pursue an art or hobby? There is a workaholic side of my
nature (probably why I manage to write a fair bit for myself, even while working
for others and spending a lot of time with my family) that paralyzed me in the
past and still occasionally rears its ugly head: “There’s no money in writing!
Shouldn’t you put more time into something that puts food on the table, that’s a
bigger help financially?”
I’m not lazy and I’m always working (or looking for work), so I come back at the
mean voice with: “Writing isn’t about the money. We pay our bills. We eat.
My kids are warm and safe and have nice clothes—We have occasional luxuries.
Shut up!”
The voice snorts. “Blah, blah, blah, arteest—You’ll never be an Atwood or
Urquhart. You’re definitely not a King or Gabaldon. Why do you waste your
time?”
Ouch. That hurts, but I manage to reply anyway. “Writing has always helped
me deal with anger and depression. It puts things in my life in perspective. It
helps me have better relationships with people and allows me to see (and
explore!) possibilities in life. I feel better about myself and better about other
people when I’m writing regularly—”
Usually at this point the voice in my head growls that I’m an idiot, but gives up
his argument, and I’m free to go and write.
If you’ve read this with an “Aha” feeling growing in your belly, because you know
the thing you want to pursue, but have a critical voice of your own to battle with,
you need to find a way to quiet it. If it’s an inner voice, adopt my talking it to
death strategy. If it’s a real person discouraging you, he or she probably just
needs reassuring: having a passion outside of your relationship should only make
you a better, happier person to know and love. And rather than inspire sloth,
having something you do for fun actually makes you able to work harder with
less stress. Encourage people in your life to find their own passions—happiness
loves company. If they won’t, well… You still need to do what you need to do.
So there you are. I suppose I could have answered "Why do you write?" with
that last line. I just need to.
Q: Are there are any books on writing that you recommend?
A: Absolutely. Two full shelves in my library are dedicated to books on the craft
of writing - a very dangerous thing. Why dangerous? It's just that I'm always
looking for ways to avoid writing (Don't ask why; it makes no sense. Writing is
both what I love to do best and what I most strenuously attempt to avoid!).
Losing myself in others' wisdom and inspiration, while feeling fully justified
because I'm bettering my craft, is a great stalling technique. If you would be a
writer, read and read! But don't forget to write and write and write.
In no particular order, here are my very favourite writing-related books:
SELF-EDITING FOR FICTION WRITERS: How to edit yourself into print
By Renni Browne and Dave King
If you only buy one book on editing fiction, this should be it. In fact, I'd almost say, if you buy
this book, you will never need another (except a large dictionary, of course, but you have one
of those already, correct?).
ON WRITING By Stephen King
It's not that any of the information in this book is so mind-blowing or craft-changing (although
it does have some helpful "how to write well" tips), it's that sometimes when you spend a lot of
time alone, writing, submitting, being rejected... (and repeat and repeat and repeat!), it's just
really good to have someone witty, dry and a tad sarcastic to cheer you on and to remind you
why you write in the first place. My writing friends who fit that bill dislike calls in the wee hours
of morning or in the deep hours of night, but Stephen King? He's always there. (Creepy!) His
words make me laugh out loud and feel comforted and affirmed at the same time.
CONSIDER THIS... Questions That Make You Think
By Barbara Ann Kipfer
Just good because... Well, the questions make you think. I use them as writing prompts.
THE PRACTICE OF POETRY: Writing Exercises From Poets Who Teach
Edited by Robin Behn and Chase Twichell
I don't care if you fancy yourself a poet or not, or even if you like poetry. This book is amazing
and doing its exercises will a) be great fun, and b) really strengthen and deepen your writing.
WHAT IF? Writing Exercises for Fiction Writers
Compiled By Anne Bernays and Pamela Painter
Even if you don't do the exercises, just reading through what they're meant to bring out of you
is hugely valuable. But I'd do the exercises.
A: Absolutely. Two full shelves in my library are dedicated to books on the craft
of writing - a very dangerous thing. Why dangerous? It's just that I'm always
looking for ways to avoid writing (Don't ask why; it makes no sense. Writing is
both what I love to do best and what I most strenuously attempt to avoid!).
Losing myself in others' wisdom and inspiration, while feeling fully justified
because I'm bettering my craft, is a great stalling technique. If you would be a
writer, read and read! But don't forget to write and write and write.
In no particular order, here are my very favourite writing-related books:
SELF-EDITING FOR FICTION WRITERS: How to edit yourself into print
By Renni Browne and Dave King
If you only buy one book on editing fiction, this should be it. In fact, I'd almost say, if you buy
this book, you will never need another (except a large dictionary, of course, but you have one
of those already, correct?).
ON WRITING By Stephen King
It's not that any of the information in this book is so mind-blowing or craft-changing (although
it does have some helpful "how to write well" tips), it's that sometimes when you spend a lot of
time alone, writing, submitting, being rejected... (and repeat and repeat and repeat!), it's just
really good to have someone witty, dry and a tad sarcastic to cheer you on and to remind you
why you write in the first place. My writing friends who fit that bill dislike calls in the wee hours
of morning or in the deep hours of night, but Stephen King? He's always there. (Creepy!) His
words make me laugh out loud and feel comforted and affirmed at the same time.
CONSIDER THIS... Questions That Make You Think
By Barbara Ann Kipfer
Just good because... Well, the questions make you think. I use them as writing prompts.
THE PRACTICE OF POETRY: Writing Exercises From Poets Who Teach
Edited by Robin Behn and Chase Twichell
I don't care if you fancy yourself a poet or not, or even if you like poetry. This book is amazing
and doing its exercises will a) be great fun, and b) really strengthen and deepen your writing.
WHAT IF? Writing Exercises for Fiction Writers
Compiled By Anne Bernays and Pamela Painter
Even if you don't do the exercises, just reading through what they're meant to bring out of you
is hugely valuable. But I'd do the exercises.