In responding to a wonderful post a couple weeks back by Gayle Bartos-Pool, I said I write what I like to read. Not a new statement or thought from me. But then, as I finally started working on my latest, I said to myself, you’re not writing what you like to read (or even writing similar stuff to dramatizations of what you like to read). At a minimum, what I was flippantly saying/repeating was “off-handed;” and at a maximum, I was deluding myself, and probably to my writing detriment.
I’ve also commented in my own blog posts more than once in the past, about what I like to read, what authors I admire, and characters I like. Then Maggie King so thoughtfully talked about short stories and I remembered Hector Hoggs my first ever protagonist, and then Jackie Houchin talked about character names—and Eureka! The essence of this post came together.
Also, as an aside, I sometimes believe in channeling from the past—i.e. channeling Agatha Christie in particular. I would have loved to know her. Indeed, her writing is what I like to read…smart, quirky, protagonists who pull the murderer “out of the bag of all the clues that have trickily/sneakily been presented.” Hercule Poirot and Miss Marple are my prime examples. When I look back, these are not the protagonists I attempt to write. Truth is of course, there’s no way I can approach Queen Agatha. But the process of trying to is the motivator. (wonder where she got the name Hercule! And where/why/how come I chose the name Hector Hoggs(good grief))
Well, this last weekend I finally came up with major character names! I even have a name—there’s a third person narrator who is also a character who speaks to you at beginning and end. In my mind, that’s me calling myself Margo. My hubby picked my alter-ego name. (better than Lucretia his other choice!)
My intent in this post is to once again highlight a side trip on the trickily winding writing-road. Nonetheless, I can’t imagine life these days without writing. And consequently all this thinking stuff—starting with a negative revelation has led me to a new enthusiasm for writing. Writer, or “want to be writer”—the winding road I’m always jabbering about is tricky, but well worth it. And for me, writing what I like to read is definitely going to be an uphill challenge! Though so glad to have actually started my latest.
I would love to hear what you think. Is writing a true love? Stumbling blocks? What would you do instead (I’d love to have been a tv star(famous of course) but don’t have the stamina or the “put myself out there part to my personality,” nor the Talent! Another problem, I can only work with what I’ve got!
Happy writing trails!
The Writers in Residence 
Talk about baring your soul! That was a look into yours as a writer, Maggie, so thank you for sharing. As for me, I don’t know how to do anything else except write. I have no other talent – oh, in college I sang light opera and acted but the writing was how I saw my future. Thus, I invaded every newspaper on Fleet Street in London until I snagged a job in a newsroom as a General Dogsbody – known in the US a copy girl. And so it began…
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A copy girl!!!, what a great way to enter the world of writing. And oh do I envy your ability to sing! I’m what’s called “tone death,” can’t tell one note from another, though husband says I have my own personal scale, ha, ha…
I bet you had a lot of adventures in London newsrooms…
Thanks for stopping by and planting your “General Dogsbody” image–my anglophile(sp) heart and mind are engaged and smiling…
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Interesting thoughts on what we write, Mad. I write what I like to read, but I read a lot of books and many are very different from how I write, but I still like them. Over this past summer I went back and reread most of my own books. I was actually impressed how much I liked them and was sometimes astonished I knew stuff that I didn’t know I knew. I obviously did research and learned new things that I added to the books. I remember reading an article about James Michener who wrote South Pacific and other books. He said he didn’t remember some of the things he had written in those books, so I’m not alone. So I like a variety of styles and I write variations of those styles myself. But you know what? I have read a few books by some famous people whose books start sounding exactly alike and I realize maybe they should read a few other authors so they don’t repeat themselves. We all learn by reading. Ain’t it great!
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Thanks for pointing out, Gayle, about our own books and what we remember. Just the other day I couldn’t remember a title, much less the plot line–but I’ll think of my mental failings as being in line with James Michener! ha ha. I also like the line of thought on what I’ve learned from reading…and rethinking about writing what I like to read, from the point of view of technique etc, not just story line and protagonists. Hmmm…
Thanks for stopping by, and with good writing/learning thoughts.
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I’ve been writing forever, Mad. I started out as a journalist and in advertising, then became a lawyer, and of course all of those involved writing. During those times I also wrote fiction, which is my focus now. Do I see myself stopping? Nope! And I mostly read the kinds of stories I write, too.
Congrats on your writing progress, and thanks for an enjoyable post.
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Thanks for commenting, Linda. Of course you could do a lot of other occupations, I had forgotten! I’m thinking being a journalist would be great because of all the varied circumstances you’d get involved in. But there’s something about writing that just grabs us and won’t let go!
Thanks for sharing, Linda…I love learning from your experiences.
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The above is Mad responding to Linda…sigh on word press!
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Hector Hoggs!! I love it. I can just imagine what that character might be, be he a youth, man in his prime, or aged and crotchity. I can’t wait until you start giving us hints to your new work-in-progress.
I write, but I don’t claim to be a writer like you and the others on this blog. No books under my belt. True, there are many fading newspaper stories and email tales, book reviews, and Sunday School lessons I’ve created, but nothing lasting like a printed book. (Or even a digital one!) I hide here on this blog among you greats and hope no one notices! Hahaha.
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Jackie, this is Mad replying no matter what word press tags me as…you are not only a writer, but also our leader and writing definitely just doesn’t apply to books, as all the previous comments point out, and in our changing world not so sure books will still be around soon…
And Hector Hoggs was the name of my very first short story protagonist. My new one is John Thomas(JT Jones). Quite different…
Thanks so much for stopping me and very much for keeping our blog going, writing, finding great guest writers, and herding us all! You are the best in my book!
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Madeline, I like what you write here: “Truth is of course, there’s no way I can approach Queen Agatha. But the process of trying to is the motivator.” Agatha set a high bar for writers, but at the same time she’s an ever-present source of encouragement, an angel on our shoulders.
I mostly write what I like to read, although I also read literary fiction (mostly my book group selections), but I have no desire to write it. Right now I’m reading a series by Hazel Holt that features Mrs. Malory, a gentle amateur sleuth. I’m into gentleness and kindness these days, even in murder mysteries!
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This is Maggie and now I’m showing up as Anonymous! The most recent comment is from me.
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Thank you anonymous Maggie (smile) for the Mrs. Malory tip, will look up today! And, like you, my book club reading list had me reading all over the place which I think is very good! A lot isn’t my cup of tea, but I have picked up a couple writers I wouldn’t otherwise have known about!
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My goodness, Mad – why are we all showing up as ‘Anonymous’! It’s Rosemary, by the way!
But I loved reading your soul-baring about your writing! I know that I am reading total escapist stories lately. Usually set in sunny places… Although I usually write about Old Hollywood, I no longer read about that, as I find it too intense and my mind won’t switch off. So maybe I should write about being left a chateau in Provence … with a very old dead body walled up in the attic….or something!
And I relate to Jill’s (also anonymous) comment about being a dogs-body in Fleet Street. I started out writing for the woman’s and teenage magazines in those same Fleet Street offices. I never thought I had the talent to write fiction – especially mysteries – until that lovely group of ours sat around the table in the Burbank Library when we first started this group. Step by step, their encouraging words talked me through completing my first Lottie Topaz novel….
Thanks, Mad, for that trip down Memory Lane!
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Yes, Rosemary, been down memory lane a lot lately…
Fleet Street, ahhhhh… This is Friday, will see if anonymous still…(smile)
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Your comment “write what you like to read” struck a chord with me. I am almost embarrassed to admit that I usually read something I could only dream about writing! I love reading historical fiction and huge 700 page sagas! I loved Hilary Mantel’s Wolf Hall trilogy but never in a million years could I write something like that. To be honest, when I read my own genre e.g. cozy mysteries – I read with a cozy mystery writer’s critical eye – seeing how the writer has planted various clues, guessing who the killer is etc. I’m unable to detach myself to truly enjoy reading my own genre. I USED to – and yes, perhaps Agatha Christie is an exception but even then, I’m not consumed by the story, I’m impressed by her skill to weave the story. As to what would I do if I wasn’t a writer … I’d love to have been an archeologist/historian – perhaps if I had, I’d be writing those historical tomes!
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Oh, Hannah, so glad Word Press knows who you are (smile!) Yes, sometimes its hard for me to read for enjoyment also, for the writer’s critical analysis eye intrudes…
Can’t imagine writing historical tomes! (smile) Though that’s what my husband likes to read.
Thanks for sharing!
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