Stories

I’m reading Erin Morgenstern’s novel, “The Night Circus”. I have quickly realized that her perspective of storytelling is vastly different than my own. Then again, mine is different than Suzanne Collins’ and hers is different than Richard Russo’s. All authors have a distinct way in telling their stories. There is no right or wrong way. It’s all in the eye of the reader.

There are some who believe that Twilight is the best novel they’ve ever read while others feel it merely panders to the angst and hormones of the female reader.  Some authors feel they need to understand who their audience is before they develop their story, and still others believe they should not aim for a specific demographic or sex.  If there’s one thing I’ve learned over the course of my brief career it’s that what works for one author will not necessarily work for all.

I sincerely want to be my own kind of writer.  Rather than model myself after anyone in particular, I will settle for just being me.  My rules are simple, and are as follows:

1. Write what I know

2. Be creative

3. Write something I’d want to read myself

4. Create a story that my children wouldn’t be embarrassed to read

5. Keep the reader guessing

Simple, yet effective, in my belief.