Many new writers use the justification that they can’t write
their stories for fear what their family/friends/colleges might think of the
work. They are worried what will Mom, son, auntie June, guy in the next
cubical or grandma think about the story. What if you are writing about a
situation that has been held secret from the family or coworkers? What if you
are revealing a secret trait -like you
are superman?
Only
opinion that I care about are my Grandkids and I keep them in enough lolly’s to
guarantee their devotion.
To ease your mind, I can tell you that I have been writing a
weekly column for over 8 years and use my family frequently as subject
matter AND THEY HAVE NEVER READ A WORD
(except my Mother). My columns are published online, spread throughout the
country in a free paper and spend the entire week as the soul reading material
on my kitchen table. AND THEY HAVE NEVER
READ A WORD (except my Mother). I can say anything I want about them, because
they will never read my work. Maybe after I have gone home to the dictionary in
the sky, they will read my stories, but why would I care then?
Here is my advice:
1.
Write like you dance, like no one is watching.
2.
Every situation is experienced differently from
each person’s perspective, so make it clear that the story is your opinion, not
the truth (but what is truth? Awww -We
just got deep.)
3.
Call your story, a fictional account based on a
real story. This will keep Oprah from sic’ing her dogs on you and you can say
you made up anything that offends.
4.
If you are going to write about your mother,
make two of her characteristics Beautiful and Thin.
5.
If you are going to write about a male make sure
the character has a really small penis, no man will ever say, “Hey- that’s me!”
6.
Just write. The likelihood that the ones you are
afraid of upsetting will read your work is slimmer than winning the lottery.
Writing Exercise:
Imagine your Mother
is in prison. You get to pick her crime and her cellmates. I want you to
describe how prison has changed her, describe her day. (If your Mother is
really in prison, I apologize and write her on a cruise ship).
500 words or more
about that criminal Mom- have fun; you never have to show it to her. But please
share it with me!
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