Author Carol Umberger taught a lesson to our local writer’s group last week. She based her lesson on a book by Jack Bickham, “The 38 Most Common Fiction Writing Mistakes (And How to Avoid Them).”
One analogy she used immediately brought Brad White, the pianist for the Blackwood Brothers Quartet to my mind.
Brad is a humdinger of a pianist. His fingers fly across the keys. You call out a gospel song or a hymn and Brad can play it—from memory. When he isn’t traveling with the BBQ he travels as a soloist. Did his talent just happen? I don’t think so.
Brad started playing young and by the time he was a teenager, he taught piano to others. When he realized his students memorized the silly ditties they practiced, he wrote his own piano course using hymns. (yes, you can buy it—check his website. http://www.bradwhite.org/).
Carol said too many wannabe writers say, “I’m going to write a book.” She asks if they have signed up for lessons. “Well, no. I have this idea right up here.” Carol said writing is like being a pianist. You study. Take lessons. Read a lot and you practice daily.
Her illustration about the pianist helped me share my freelance challenges with my non-author family. I’ve felt for years they didn’t understand the process, but Carol’s simple analogy gave a crystal clear summation of start to finish.
Brad White understands the process. So does every dedicated author.
Now, back to my keyboard, it’s only a bit different than Brad’s.
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