Writing is Like a Block of Clay
by Jerri Gibson McCloud
Sculpting and molding a block of clay is like a blank sheet of paper or a computer screen that becomes a story, a novel, an essay, or an article. It comes from the heart no matter what the medium. Just like Picasso, never satisfied with his work, the sculptor, artist, or writer strives to perfect the medium, work the clay, paint a vision, or mold a story.
My first sculpture began with a simple block of clay. I shaped it into an oval egg, dug out holes for eye sockets, added eyeballs, pinched off a piece of clay for the nose and attached it just below the center of the eyes, rolled and pressed out lips, placed them a fingers width below the nose, attached ears, let it dry, painted it, and then stood back to marvel. Yes, it was as ugly as I thought it might be. But, I learned several things. I discovered that I envisioned something unfinished, in the raw, and therefore, I could create something even better—something beyond my known abilities—if I worked hard at it and studied the process.
Many
days I sat in front of a block of clay until a picture surfaced in my head. Had
I just said, "Forget it, I'm not creative," I would never have
received numerous sculpting/design awards. I never stopped believing in myself
and continued to create something new everyday although now it's not sculpting.
Writing is similar. Instead of a block of clay, it’s a blank computer screen waiting for “something great to emerge.” I sat in front of that same screen waiting for the process to begin. I typed one idea, then another which triggered yet another. My writing hop-skipped and jumped all over the screen until an idea, a story, or plot materialized. Was it easy? Absolutely not.
I took several writing courses, purchased thirty-five “how to” books, started a writing critique group, and as their leader, worked hard to stay ahead of them. I now critique anywhere from twelve to fifteen writings a month. From the critiquing, I’ve observed great writing and also learned what not to do.
The most helpful three books in my writing educational experience are:
1. Foundations of Fiction by Judith H. Simpson
2.
Writing the Breakout Novel by Donald Maass
3. The Sell Your Novel Tool Kit by Elizabeth Lyon
Don’t ask to borrow these books as they are terribly marked up with yellow highlights, notes in red ink and in pencil, if nothing else was available. The thirty-two other books are marked as well.
Actually,
the growth of my writing is on display in some of the thirty-two other
books—early purchases. Sentences highlighted in the beginning of my writing
career, were not the important items at all. No matter how much you absorb
from these books, a person can only put into practice a limited amount at one
time. However, if you persist,
perhaps a reward awaits you—publication.
For those of you who say, "I can't," I always reply, "If I can do it, so can you!" Not bad for a little girl that couldn't read until she was in the third grade.
Jerri Gibson McCloud ©2005-2008