Truman Capote wrote lying down. I like this, but can’t do it myself, as I don’t write longhand and I don’t have a laptop. All the writers I know enjoy hearing how other writers work, especially successful ones or masters of the craft. I was thinking about it today, how much like learning magic it is. We want to know if there is some kind of secret. I know, I do. I always did. Through college, I tried to get it out of my teachers, and assumed they were holding back when they gave vague advice like, “It’s hard.” I have nothing to show for my years as a writer. Yes, I’m a writer, even though I haven’t published. I write and always will, so I’m a writer. Now, almost almost thirty years old, I realize there is no secret. No perfect way. Just your own way.
I don’t mean any of this as advice for anyone, and this blog is not going to be about writing instruction (though sometimes I instruct myself out loud and then it just happens to get written down.) Because I am an unpublished writer, I don’t pretend to possess a knowledge anyone would want to learn from. I have been writing since I was ten years old, that is almost 20 years ago. That’s a lot of practice. But writers are interested in publication, and I don’t have any experience with that, apart from some online publications. But I do love writing and reading. So, this blog will be about books and my writing projects, sometimes. It will be about my new desire to fill in the gaps in my literary education (hopefully with some help), to get some stories done and sent out. But it will also be about other things I like. If anyone besides me ever reads this, hopefully they’ll find something interesting: mythology, recipes, people I admire, my apartment . . .
I like unfinished things; I like finding ideas written on scraps of paper. Sometimes this will be like that, too.
Note: I think having a blog can lead to taking yourself really seriously, and I have a tendancy to do that. Though, I can’t stand it in others.
I’d like to take a page out of the book or blog of my friend Leigh http://leighcummings.tumblr.com. She writes about the city around her honestly, and most importantly about herself honestly. And it’s great.
Apartment Miscellania 
Rich, I love your blog! You know I always love talking writing with you & reading your thoughts on it is the next best thing! I’ll check in a lot, & will leave my comments.
I agree there’s not perfect way to write – “just your own way” – so true. Also, “I write and always will, so I’m a writer.” Yes! Something I’ll remember. Especially during the dry spells. And the times when publication seems like a far-away dream.
And I wish I could write lying down like Truman Capote (how lazy is that??!)
Now I’m inspired to keep up with my writing blog – thanks! 🙂
♥♥ Linda
ohhh I totally agree- why just this AM I read a thng about the ‘craft of writing” in an old New Yorker,looking for the “how to” instructions. I am also extremely interested in the specifics- so I’ll share mine:
Lying down on my bed on the RIGHT side,next to the lamp and ashtray, laptop propped up on my gut. Prefer late evening,when no chance of phone calls, drop in friends etc. Early AM can also work.
PS I am so happy re:this blog!!! You are my inspiration 🙂