A Writer’s Journey
by Bill Baldwin
Our September speaker, Meg Waite Clayton, shared her experience of knowing at a young age that she wanted to become a writer, but not fulfilling that ambition until midlife.
She felt the attraction of writing, even as a preteen; yet it was more than twenty years later that she decided to “take the plunge.”
The first lesson she shared with us would seem obvious, but so easy to refuse to see: to become a writer, you have to try!
As happens with so many people in so many fields, Meg instead pursued something “practical.” She went to law school and became a corporate lawyer. A good career! But not the path she ultimately longed for. She has now published nine novels, including Typewriter Beach, Language of Light, and The Last Train to London, receiving multiple awards and honors.
Meg shared some of the lessons she has learned through writing. She reviewed the basic story arc so often suggested: Situation, Complication, Climax; leading to Denouement and Resolution. She added some practical suggestions of her own.
She suggested carrying your manuscript around with you and pulling it out when you can. She recommended writing conferences. Contact agents—but not too many—then take their feedback seriously.
Figure out what works for you. Write however you can. Meg has used timelines, flowcharts and similar tools. She writes ideas on small slips of paper then posts them on bulletin boards: scene ideas and character ideas that she can update as they evolve.
She works with agents and editors—whoever is available and willing.
But Meg’s most important advice remains: “Do whatever works for you!” Figure out what that is, and then follow through.
And remember: In order to succeed at writing, you have to try!