To write! To Write! L’chaim!

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Yes, I totally know that L’chaim means “to life.”

But for some of us, life is about writing. So work with me.

Speaking of working with me, if you’re casting the show from which that title came, I could totally rock that part.

Writing is like a ‘lust,’ or like ‘scratching when you itch.’ Writing comes as a result of a very strong impulse, and when it does come, I, for one, must get it out.

Irish-English author, poet, and critic C.S. Lewis, was born on this day in 1898 (died November 22, 1963)

I need to read more Lewis.

I was first introduced to C.S. Lewis by my college English professor who would every day at the beginning of class read us a portion of The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe.

I was hooked.

I knew in high school that I wanted to write. What I didn’t know was how to turn that into a career. I toyed with journalism, and also art and music, so the focus was a bit off. I ended up with a degree in Communications Arts which was entirely different at my university in 1980 than it is today.

The career after that, if you call it a career and not a series of jobs, took off in the direction of government and public policy. That’s where I’ve been for the last 36 years.

Maybe if we’d had the Interwebz in 1980 I would have taken a different path and I’d be one of those “experts” selling my secrets to great writing success for the reduced price of $499.

My inbox is full of those. But I don’t want to learn how to write a “best selling” novel in three hours (no, seriously, those claims are made). I want to write a novel, or novels, that are worth reading.

And so, rather than invest in another one of those “classes” or free webinars which at the end tell you how to buy into the full access program for a mere $1269, I take the time to write, and write more.

I really have nothing against those people who have found their success selling programs about their success. But it’s just not for me.

I need to remind myself of that the next time I get info about a “free” webinar. They’re never really free.

Let’s face it, I’m not going to get to Carnegie Hall if I don’t practice, practice, practice, and I’m not going to get that book (or books) written if I don’t write, write, write.

There’s no shortcut to writing. Not if I want to write something that’s worth reading.

Since I made the decision to take my writing seriously I find, like Lewis, that I have to keep writing. The more I write, the more I want to write.

That’s a good thing. Let’s hope it produces some good writing.

I’ll let you know.

Also born on this day in 1940, American horn player and composer, Chuck Mangione.

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To write! To Write! L’chaim!

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