Generally when I read a list of 'Tips for Writers' I find myself rolling my eyes. I must admit, however, after reading this list I find myself 95% in agreement with Ms. James. I especially find it refreshing to see what she lists as Number One. It is a belief I concur with 100%.

Having said that, I myself do not adhere to another writers rules and lists. Nor have I ever taken a course on creative writing, something I consider an exercise in futility as my Anglo-Irish co-conspirator will attest to. I am the beneficiary of a classical education, you know, the kind they used to subject children to before the modern era of indoctrination, I mean education. It was an age when you went to school to learn to read, write and do your sums. I was familiar with Shakespeare, Twain, Conrad, Austin and Poe before I left high school. Saving the whales, being a good steward of the environment and learning how evil European settlers crossed the ocean for no other purpose except to wipe out the poor indigenous population of North America and plunder their natural resources was not part of my formal education as is too often the case today.

The biggest exception I take to Ms. James’ list is the admonishment not to daydream. I myself believe dreams are essential, for they can take you to places that no longer exist or never have. Dreams lift you above the daily fray of merely existing and take you to realms of the imagination you cannot touch, but are as crystal clear in your mind’s eyes as if they were. So do dream, for dreams are the seedpods of hope and creativity.

I would add one more thing. Walk your dog often, even if you don’t have one. Arnold, my dog, has some of the most scathingly brilliant ideas while we are walking. He’s also great conversationalist, coming up with smashing bits of dialogue between characters.

Any who, that’s my story and I’m stickin’ to it.

Nancy Cole
a.k.a. HW Coyle