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Why I Write


Wayne Gray

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I don't have the best grasp of the mechanics of writing.  I am sure I give my poor retired school-teacher editor fits (it'd be worse without Grammarly).  Yet, I still feel my work has merit.

 

Emotion and its description is something I love to do.  I love making a reader laugh, cry, or shake their head in frustration at a character.  Best, is when they empathize with the poor choice the character just made.  The reader gets why the decision happened because they're on the same emotional journey, but objectively, they also know it was the wrong one.

 

Characters with flaws, weaknesses, defects, and pain are beautiful gems that roll in sunlight and throw bits of chaos and color everywhere.  My favorite character I've written was a brutal man who ended up guarding a boy on the autistic spectrum.  He was prickly, dark, socially inept, but he had a soft spot for his charge.  I never received more email than when he finally met the man who tore down the walls around his heart.  How many times can you write lines like "... and he fell to sleep on the chest of the most dangerous man in the state..."?

 

In the end, I know why I write.  It's not about me.

 

It's all about the reader, and that they're giving me the gift of their time.

 

My job is not to waste it.

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Hi Wayne... well said.  As a reader, i want to read the story. i want the ugly as  well as the beautiful, i want you to push me, take me out of my comfort zone. Show me a different way, your way.

 

As a writer, i will write my story, we should write our stories ... the best way we can.  i have a lot of passion about that. You need to write well enough, that readers will trust you. Trust you when a character makes a wrong choice, trust you when the story means that a beloved character has to die, and you have to be willing to put in the work then. To make sure readers believe its right.  No matter if you write about the real world, or your created one, it needs to be real.

 

So, i just have to say ... you haven't wasted my time. Not in the least!

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i'm glad you write all the things, the emotions, the struggles, and the happy.  life isn't always "their eyes met across the room, and it was as if the world melted away.  their lives were forever changed and it was all lollipops and sunshine." because life isn't that way

i'm happy that you found your way to GA and have become involved.  can't wait to read what  you write!

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As long as a good tale is being told, I don’t mind grammar not being quite right. It’s the story not the syntax that enriches the reader, right? 

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As far as I'm concerned, every writer coming to join the GA community should articulate a 'why I write' as well done and personal as this :) I'm glad you did. It gives me about a 12 month gain on where you're coming from, over simply reading the fiction you might post. 

 

Anyone who can construct phrases as lovely as "Characters with flaws, weaknesses, defects, and pain are beautiful gems that roll in sunlight and throw bits of chaos and color everywhere" should be proud to call himself a writer, Grammerly or not. 

 

Welcome, friend! 

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Hi AC,

 

Thanks for the welcome.  I appreciate it.

 

I think we've all got our gifts.  Mine are brutal misuse of commas and making people cry with words.  I guess brutal misuse of commas could make some cry, so, win-win?

 

Okay, I'm done now.  I've got editing to do.

 

I look forward to more interaction with you, AC.  Have a great one.

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On 2/24/2019 at 4:14 AM, Mikiesboy said:

Hi Wayne... well said.  As a reader, i want to read the story. i want the ugly as  well as the beautiful, i want you to push me, take me out of my comfort zone. Show me a different way, your way.

 

As a writer, i will write my story, we should write our stories ... the best way we can.  i have a lot of passion about that. You need to write well enough, that readers will trust you. Trust you when a character makes a wrong choice, trust you when the story means that a beloved character has to die, and you have to be willing to put in the work then. To make sure readers believe its right.  No matter if you write about the real world, or your created one, it needs to be real.

 

So, i just have to say ... you haven't wasted my time. Not in the least!

8

Thanks, tim.  🙂  Don't worry, there's more to come from me.

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On 2/24/2019 at 11:35 AM, Reader1810 said:

As long as a good tale is being told, I don’t mind grammar not being quite right. It’s the story not the syntax that enriches the reader, right? 

Well, that's good!  Though I'm getting better all the time.

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On 2/24/2019 at 6:56 AM, mollyhousemouse said:

i'm glad you write all the things, the emotions, the struggles, and the happy.  life isn't always "their eyes met across the room, and it was as if the world melted away.  their lives were forever changed and it was all lollipops and sunshine." because life isn't that way

i'm happy that you found your way to GA and have become involved.  can't wait to read what  you write!

You're so sweet, molly.  Thank you.  HEA is allowed in my stories, but our heroes have to work for it!

 

There will definitely be stuff to read from me.  Hang on to your hat!

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