John D MacDonald on what makes a story

What makes a story a story? Is it just a collection of words? An article on choosing a lawnmower is a collection of words, but it is hardly a story. Stories engage us. They pull us in and hold our interest. Here is author John D. MacDonald"s definition of what makes a story a story:

"Story is something happening to someone you've been led to care about."

A good story has two elements, characters we care about and a sequence of events which happen to them. 

Keep your cheeks in the seat and your fingers on the keyboard and keep writing. 

Thanks

Jim Busch

Advice from one of America's most successful writers

Louis L'Amour was a successful writer in anybody's book. In his life he wrote over 100 novels, published more than 250 short stories and had 320 million books in print in over 10 languages. He was a hardworking writer who knew how to engage his readers. Here is L'Amour's advice on how to start a book:

"Begin every story in the middle. The reader doesn't care how it begins, he wants you to get on with it."--Louis L'Amour

If you want to learn how to be a great writer, join the Ligonier Valley Writers. Information on joining and on our upcoming programs visit LVWonline.org

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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.