How To Grow A Writer

   Last Sunday I went to Books & Co. at The Greene to hear Fredrick Marion, founder of DaytonLit.com, speak  about "7 Secrets to Unlocking Your Writing Potential." This was just one of a series of informative talks offered by Antioch Writers' Workshop. I learned so much and felt inspired and motivated to get back to writing on a daily basis.
   Fred began by telling the story of a man who wanted to make his fortune at a young age so that he could spend the rest of adulthood living the writer’s life. But, then, of course, life happened and things didn’t go according to his original plan. Unfortunately, I was late to the talk and only grasped a small part of the story, but it turned out that Fred was really telling his story (and I believe it’s a dream that many of us shared at one time or another).
   He illustrated “How to Grow a Writer” by handing out a small packet of pumpkin seeds to each of us. I love what was on the envelope:

“Contents: 1 Repressed Writer. Needs space, food, time 2 grow.” 

   On the other side, he wrote that the seed was a “fairytale pumpkin” seed. I still love fairytales even though I sadly don’t believe in them anymore.

Fairytale Pumpkin

   Fred had several wonderful quotes from a diversified pool of writers. A couple of my favorites were:
“If you do not bring forth what is within you, what you do not bring forth will destroy you." from the Gospel of Thomas, part of the Gnostic Gospels.
Another quote was by Ellen Degeneres:
“Never follow anyone else's path, unless you're in the woods and you're lost and you see a path. Then by all means follow that path.”
   There were many more, all equally poignant, some funny, some deep, but all relevant to the daunting task we who write (or attempt to write) face every single day.

Fred’s 7 Secrets are:
1. Define what it means to be a successful writer. Success is defined differently for each person and for each act.
2. Know your goal.
3. Genre = Freedom
4. Set itsy bitsy teenie weenie goals (this was the most helpful advice to me, personally and has helped me crawl out of a seemingly, somewhat nasty bout of writer’s block).
5. Ideas + Work Ethic > Writing Ability
6. Learn the “story formula” desire - conflict - resolution
7. Give your seed time, food, and space to grow.

   Be sure to sign up for Fred’s weekly newsletter at DaytonLit.com. I always look forward to reading it. He’s a talented and inspirational writer who will show you the world through a different lens. The added bonus is that the newsletter has a list of upcoming, local literary events. Additionally, check out the Antioch Writers' Workshop’s website so you don’t miss any upcoming opportunities to learn from established writers. The next free mini-workshop will be in January. I hope to see you there!