Isaac Asimov's Thoughts on What Makes a Good Writer

Isaac Asimov was one of the young Carl Sagan's idols. He admired Asimov's great mind, his boundless curiosity and his way with words. Once Asimov got to know the young physicist and would be author, the feeling between these two men of science became mutual. A recently published book of Asimov's letters contained his thoughts on what made Carl Sagan a great writer. Here is what he wrote to him upon reading Sagan's work:

"I have just finished The Cosmic Connection and loved every minute of it. You are my idea of a good writer because you have an unmannered style, and when I read what you write, I hear you talking."

Both of these men had extraordinary vocabularies and a great facility with words, yet they both were able to communicate complicated subjects using simple words. This is great advice for anyone who aspires to be a writer.

Here is another bit of good advice for anyone who wants to write, or who would like to improve their writing...Join the Ligonier Valley Writers. The LVW offers writers opportunities to have their work published. We also offers a number of seminars throughout the year on a wide range of subject of interest to writers. To learn more about go to lvwonline.org

Thanks for reading.

Creating an Empathy Machine

I was listening to a radio interview with John Landgraf, the CEO of the cable network FX. He was talking about the importance of story in building an audience for his company. The show's host asked him how he defined what constitutes a "good" story. I really like he answer and believe that it not only applies to TV scripts but to any good writing. Here is what he said,

" A story is an empathy machine that allows us to see the world through the eyes and minds of others."

I think this succinct statement is as good a definition of a good story as any I have read. We writers are the mechanics who build "empathy machines" to help others see the world from a different perspective.

Thanks for reading.

Jim Busch for the Ligonier Valley writers.  

Tim O'Brien on different kinds of truth

"On one level stories are made up. But they're made up for a reason, and the reason has to do with a different kind of truth. It has to do with emotional and spiritual truths." Tim O'Brien

What is the reason you write? Are you looking for recognition? For a big paycheck? Do you think being a writer is sexy and cool? Or do you have stories that you just have to share with the world? Are there truths bottled up inside your soul that need to be set free?

What ever your reason for writing you don't want to miss the Ligonier Valley Writers Annual Conference on July 18th. Whether you are a poet, an essayist, a fiction writer or even a song writer, this is the conference for you. To check out this years outstanding faculty and course line up visit www.LVWonline.org

It doesn't matter why you write. It doesn't matter what you write. It doesn't matter if you're published or just getting started This is the conference for you. (Plus being a writer is both sexy and cool!)

Lawrence Ferlinghetti's Descriptive powers

One of the things that sets the work of great writers apart is their powerful descriptive powers. Lawrence Ferlinghetti demonstrated his descriptive skills in the following excerpt from his book of experimental plays Routines. This is his answer to the question, "What is man?"

"Man is a self-balancing, 28 jointed adapter-based biped; an electro-chemical reduction plant, integral with segregated stowages of special energy extracts in storage batteries, for subsequent actuation of thousands of hydraulic and pneumatic pumps with motors attached; 62,000 miles of capillaries; millions of warning, signal, railroad and conveyor systems; crushers and cranes (of which the arms are magnificent 23 jointed affairs with self-surfacing and lubricating systems and a universally distributed telephone system needing no service for 70 years if well managed); the whole extraordinarily complex mechanism guided with exquisite skill from a turret in which are located telescopic and microscopic self-registering and recording range finders, a spectroscope etc., the turret control being closely allied with an air-conditioning intake and exhaust and a main fuel intake

Within the few cubic inches housing the turret mechanisms, there is room also, for two soundwave and sound-direction finder recording diaphragms, a filing and instant reference system and an expertly devised analytical laboratory large enough not only to contain minute records of every last and continual event of up to 70 year's experience or more, but to extend, by computation and abstract fabrication, this experience with relative accuracy into all corners of the observed universe. There is, also, a forecasting and tactical plotting department for the reduction of future possibilities to generally successfully specific choice."

Writing your own detailed description of "man" is an exercise that is sure to sharpen your own descriptive powers. Another way to become a better writer is to attend the annual Ligonier Valley Writers Conference this summer.   

Thank you for reading this blog, please feel free to comment on it and to share it with others.

Keep your fingers on the keyboard, the ideas flowing and your dreams alive.

Jim Busch

Quantity leads to quality writing

I spend a lot of time in the car and use audiobooks to pass the time. I am currently listening to a collection of stories from "Black Mask" magazine. Black Mask was a pulp magazine that was popular in the 30's, 40's, and 50's and published many great wrters of "hard boiled fiction" such as Dashell Hammet and Raymond Chandler. Another author who got his start in the pulps was Earl Stanley Gardener, the creator of Perry Mason. The book gives a brief biographical sketch of each writer featured. What I found interesting about Gardner was his sheer productivity--for decades he averaged an amazing 1.2 million words a year. This is the equivalent of a new novel every 3 1/2 weeks. There is a lot of research on the effect of practice, of the "10,000 hours" rule. Researchers have found that the best way to become truly skilled at anything is to spend a lot of time doing that thing. Gardner was a great writer because he did a great deal of writing.

This is a good lesson for anyone who is dedicated to the craft of writing. Another key to writing success is to get your work in front of other people who can give you feedback that will help you improve your work. The Ligonier Valley Writer's conference is a great place to meet creative people you will enjoy being with and who will help you become the writer you want to be.

Keep your fingers on the keyboard, the ideas flowing and your dreams alive.

Thanks for reading this blog. Please feel free to post your comments and to share this link.

Jim Busch