Write First, Learn Later

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This book sat on my shelf for years, briefly browsed a couple of times, then eventually dropped off at my local used bookstore - probably the wonderful Well Read Books in Nanaimo, whose profits all support programs offered by Literacy Central Vancouver Island. 

I think I probably brought the book home again from the library later when I was actually experimenting with sketching. My original impetus being my desire to draw this great photo I found in the Globe and Mail newspaper about ten or twelve years ago. Look closely and you might be able to see the circle drawn around the segment of the photo I hoped to reproduce. (I don't know that I ever did. Although I have kept the clipping all this time.)



Once again I eventually removed Keys to Drawing from my shelves. In the hopes someone else would find it useful, as I hadn't. Then.

Today I found it again. In brand new condition at only $10.99 from Fireside Books in Parksville. I have only spent twenty minutes with it so far, but this time I know it's a keeper and will help me in my sketching. Which I love to do, although it's taking me ever so long to find my stride or my style.

What's the difference now? I wondered. Why do I think it will be useful now, and not then?

I think because I have been drawing longer. Sometimes from life, sometimes from my own or others' photographs. To some extent I know more now than I ever did, am more aware of what I still need to know, practice, learn or refine. I have used pens, pencils of various softness, micro pens, even lately a fountain pen. Have drawn on coasters, menus, scrap paper, mixed media and watercolour paper.  I know a little about value, line, shape, form, space, value, texture, and color  - and not by any means enough about perspective. I have watched numerous YouTube videos, and attended classes. Learned that I am most interested in urban landscapes and am rubbish at people. And now have a chance to hang out - and draw - regularly with others' who are committed to their craft.

I am comfortable doing what I can and have some skills in looking at my own work to determine its strengths weaknesses and deficits. And can actually now apply some of Dodson's lessons to my own work.

What has this to do with writing?

In the past I have often been too ready to recommend how-to writing books to newer writers... a short list of some of my favourites are listed below. But what I could have advised instead was to write lots, write often, in all kinds of styles, genres and lengths and for different readers. Before digging into any of the books recommended by other writers. Or going in search of ones on their own.

Plugging too much information into a beginner's brain is just as likely to stymie their efforts as to set them on a path of exploring the craft in a productive way. Who can possibly juggle elements of language, point of view, tense management, voice, character development, storyline, dialogue, conflict, pacing... unless they have a good store of words on the page to consider as they study and refine?

Write first. Learn later, would be my best advice. Only then, go in search of the information you need to make your writing better, dig deeper into craft, and develop your very specific and original skills. 

Versions of the saying, "A little knowledge is a dangerous thing, so is a lot" has been variously attributed to Albert Einstein, Alexander Pope, and by Festus in about 54 AD. 

One of them may be right.


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BOOKLIST
I have done it before... and probably came up with a completely different list. 
But these are a few writing books I continue to use and would recommend emerging writers to explore once they have spent some time throwing words at the page.

The Art and Craft of Poetry by Michael Bugeja
How Fiction Works by James Woods
Imaginative Writing by Janet Burroway
Make Your Words Work by Gary Provost
Manuscript Makeover by Elizabeth Lyon
Sin and Syntax by Constance Hale
Stein on Writing by Sol Stein
Writing Personal Poetry by Sheila Bender

Caveat: Dozens of new how-to writing books are published every year. These are all old favourites of mine, many of which may no longer be in print. But might still be available from libraries - or on your fellow writers' bookshelves.

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