About Writing

Writing is a complex and slow process for some people, while for others, it is fast, easy, and straightforward. Either way, writing is time-consuming, yet the most rewarding adventure I have ever undertaken. You may have noted that I was an interior designer, a fun and rewarding profession that involved working with clients. However, writing a book is quite the opposite. It is a solitary accomplishment, with nobody to push the pencil but you.

After you have done sufficient editing, hand the manuscript over to a wise and trusted friend for review. Please remember that no matter what an editor suggests, you have control of the reins. You set the tone, create the scenes, you write dialogue as you hear your characters speak, and you decide where the commas go. Does the character say, “No I don’t, Ella,” or “No, I don’t, Ella.” You decide. I decide. I know how my characters speak, and I know the rhythm I want to set for my readers. Setting the rhythm is crucial to the reader’s enjoyment.

Let’s say you feel there is a book inside you; that’s what I had said on occasion over a span of many years. I found myself thinking about relatives I had known and who are now passed away. I loved reflecting on the fond memories I had of them. That got me started writing, and trust me, my first attempts were rough; however, there is nothing better than giving it your best effort and persisting, for persistence allows the universe to step in and provide what you need.

When your mind is quiet, such as when you are brushing your teeth, taking a shower, or walking down a hallway, your brain is running on autopilot. Essentially, you are performing acts you could do with your eyes closed, which is when ideas and information will arrive. Names you believe you have long forgotten will drop into the creative side of your brain. If you are doing math problems, forget it; the process doesn’t work. That is using your analytical side of the brain. Stop whatever you are doing and write down what just came to mind. You must do this; trust me, if you don’t, you will most likely be unable to recall those precious and vital revelations later.



Neither side of your brain functions well at the same time; never. I discovered this when choosing a paint color scheme for a client years ago. I tried to select the colors and figure out the application simultaneously; however, the dual process left me confused and frustrated. Then I realized my mistake, trying to make my brain perform two different functions — creative and analytical — in unison. It was a revelation. Once I decided where the color would flow on the walls, I could then quickly switch to the creative side of my brain and choose the paint colors. Voila! It’s the same principle in writing.

May I suggest that you use pencil and paper, rather than the keyboard, to begin your writing career? Typing is a mechanical process; it is best not to engage the side of your brain that tells your finger where the “T” is on the keyboard. Scribble notes; make lists about what you want to write about, 2, 3, or 4 words, to jog your memory and remind you of details.

When writing about your past experiences, not all the details may surface at once, but rest assured, they are stored in millions of tiny file drawers buried in your memory bank. Keep asking yourself, what was the name of that town? Who was that man who arrived late for dinner? What is the name of the older woman I met at the store? I’m telling you to be patient; I have been there.

When I was about eight or nine, my grandparents took my sister and me to an old farmhouse in Beulah, Michigan, known for its cherry orchards, for a long weekend. Grandmother said a relative owned it and rented it to family members to help pay the mortgage. When I asked which relative, she told me their names, people I had never heard of. Years later, I remembered the farmhouse, the player piano in the living room, and the sound of mice scurrying in the basement at night. I could envision the steep hill behind the house and the cherry orchards just beyond, but I couldn’t recall the homeowner’s names. With my grandmother long dead, I called my mother to no avail. However, I couldn’t put it aside. I kept asking myself, who owned that farmhouse?

Then one day, while walking through my house, the name May popped into my head, and two weeks later, Frank and May Lester. You see, it was always there. I only had to keep asking myself the question and be patient. It took six months for that tiny file drawer to reach the top of the heap and open up so my brain could read the note inside. You will be amazed by what you can remember and how much it will contribute to your writing.

Well, I could go on, but perhaps it’s best to end here. I’ll be back soon to chat with you more about the beautiful, rewarding subject of writing.

Until later, Deborah