It's finally here! Today begins my new writer's series, WRITERLY WISDOM, where every Wednesday we will sneak a peek into the world of writing and publication. And what better way to kick things off than with words of wisdom from the author of that vivacious groundhog, Punxsutawney Phyllis! You can check out her website at www.susannahill.com, visit her blog at http://www.susannahill.blogspot.com, or even send her an email to susanna@susannahill.com. Take it away Susanna Leonard Hill...
WHY BECOME A WRITER?
WHY BECOME A WRITER?
WHY BECOME A WRITER?
WHY BECOME A WRITER?
WHY BECOME A WRITER?
By: Susanna Leonard Hill
By: Susanna Leonard Hill
By: Susanna Leonard Hill
By: Susanna Leonard Hill
By: Susanna Leonard Hill
By: Susanna Leonard Hill
By: Susanna Leonard Hill
Once upon a time, a little girl loved to write. She
lay on the kitchen floor with scrap paper - the blank back sides of legal
document drafts (her parents were lawyers) - and a blue-green Crayola (not the
green-blue one!) and asked her mom how to spell the words she didn't know...
which was most of them :) Her mom was patient, and the little girl was
determined, and word by word, her stories took shape. She wrote about
whispering under the covers with her sister. She wrote about a fight with
her best friend. She wrote about a girl and a witch. She wrote
about the day her cat died. And somewhere along the line, when she found
out it was a thing you could be, the little girl began to dream of becoming
a writer...
Once upon a time, a little girl loved to write. She
lay on the kitchen floor with scrap paper - the blank back sides of legal
document drafts (her parents were lawyers) - and a blue-green Crayola (not the
green-blue one!) and asked her mom how to spell the words she didn't know...
which was most of them :) Her mom was patient, and the little girl was
determined, and word by word, her stories took shape. She wrote about
whispering under the covers with her sister. She wrote about a fight with
her best friend. She wrote about a girl and a witch. She wrote
about the day her cat died. And somewhere along the line, when she found
out it was a thing you could be, the little girl began to dream of becoming
a writer...
Once upon a time, a little girl loved to write. She
lay on the kitchen floor with scrap paper - the blank back sides of legal
document drafts (her parents were lawyers) - and a blue-green Crayola (not the
green-blue one!) and asked her mom how to spell the words she didn't know...
which was most of them :) Her mom was patient, and the little girl was
determined, and word by word, her stories took shape. She wrote about
whispering under the covers with her sister. She wrote about a fight with
her best friend. She wrote about a girl and a witch. She wrote
about the day her cat died. And somewhere along the line, when she found
out it was a thing you could be, the little girl began to dream of becoming
a writer...
Once upon a time, a little girl loved to write. She
lay on the kitchen floor with scrap paper - the blank back sides of legal
document drafts (her parents were lawyers) - and a blue-green Crayola (not the
green-blue one!) and asked her mom how to spell the words she didn't know...
which was most of them :) Her mom was patient, and the little girl was
determined, and word by word, her stories took shape. She wrote about
whispering under the covers with her sister. She wrote about a fight with
her best friend. She wrote about a girl and a witch. She wrote
about the day her cat died. And somewhere along the line, when she found
out it was a thing you could be, the little girl began to dream of becoming
a writer...
Once upon a time, a little girl loved to write. She
lay on the kitchen floor with scrap paper - the blank back sides of legal
document drafts (her parents were lawyers) - and a blue-green Crayola (not the
green-blue one!) and asked her mom how to spell the words she didn't know...
which was most of them :) Her mom was patient, and the little girl was
determined, and word by word, her stories took shape. She wrote about
whispering under the covers with her sister. She wrote about a fight with
her best friend. She wrote about a girl and a witch. She wrote
about the day her cat died. And somewhere along the line, when she found
out it was a thing you could be, the little girl began to dream of becoming
a writer...
If
you're a writer, I wouldn't be surprised if you have a once upon a time like
that... or some variation thereof :)
If
you're a writer, I wouldn't be surprised if you have a once upon a time like
that... or some variation thereof :)
If
you're a writer, I wouldn't be surprised if you have a once upon a time like
that... or some variation thereof :)
If
you're a writer, I wouldn't be surprised if you have a once upon a time like
that... or some variation thereof :)
If
you're a writer, I wouldn't be surprised if you have a once upon a time like
that... or some variation thereof :)
And,
if you're a writer, you probably already know that on certain levels, a
writer isn't something you become. It's something you are. For
most of us who write, writing is so much a part of us that we can't imagine not
doing it. It's more a question of what we'll write than whether we'll
write.
And,
if you're a writer, you probably already know that on certain levels, a
writer isn't something you become. It's something you are. For
most of us who write, writing is so much a part of us that we can't imagine not
doing it. It's more a question of what we'll write than whether we'll
write.
And,
if you're a writer, you probably already know that on certain levels, a
writer isn't something you become. It's something you are. For
most of us who write, writing is so much a part of us that we can't imagine not
doing it. It's more a question of what we'll write than whether we'll
write.
And,
if you're a writer, you probably already know that on certain levels, a
writer isn't something you become. It's something you are. For
most of us who write, writing is so much a part of us that we can't imagine not
doing it. It's more a question of what we'll write than whether we'll
write.
And,
if you're a writer, you probably already know that on certain levels, a
writer isn't something you become. It's something you are. For
most of us who write, writing is so much a part of us that we can't imagine not
doing it. It's more a question of what we'll write than whether we'll
write.
From
journaling for our own personal satisfaction to writing bestsellers that will
be printed tens of thousands of times in numerous languages, there is joy in
finding the right words. There is meaning in telling stories that touch
the truth of those things we all have in common. There is understanding
to be found in writing through the hard times - self-doubt, misunderstanding,
loss, death.
From
journaling for our own personal satisfaction to writing bestsellers that will
be printed tens of thousands of times in numerous languages, there is joy in
finding the right words. There is meaning in telling stories that touch
the truth of those things we all have in common. There is understanding
to be found in writing through the hard times - self-doubt, misunderstanding,
loss, death.
From
journaling for our own personal satisfaction to writing bestsellers that will
be printed tens of thousands of times in numerous languages, there is joy in
finding the right words. There is meaning in telling stories that touch
the truth of those things we all have in common. There is understanding
to be found in writing through the hard times - self-doubt, misunderstanding,
loss, death.
From
journaling for our own personal satisfaction to writing bestsellers that will
be printed tens of thousands of times in numerous languages, there is joy in
finding the right words. There is meaning in telling stories that touch
the truth of those things we all have in common. There is understanding
to be found in writing through the hard times - self-doubt, misunderstanding,
loss, death.
From
journaling for our own personal satisfaction to writing bestsellers that will
be printed tens of thousands of times in numerous languages, there is joy in
finding the right words. There is meaning in telling stories that touch
the truth of those things we all have in common. There is understanding
to be found in writing through the hard times - self-doubt, misunderstanding,
loss, death.
If
you're a writer, there's a big difference between knowing it yourself and
proclaiming it to the rest of the world. It takes courage to say, "I
am a writer."
If
you're a writer, there's a big difference between knowing it yourself and
proclaiming it to the rest of the world. It takes courage to say, "I
am a writer."
If
you're a writer, there's a big difference between knowing it yourself and
proclaiming it to the rest of the world. It takes courage to say, "I
am a writer."
If
you're a writer, there's a big difference between knowing it yourself and
proclaiming it to the rest of the world. It takes courage to say, "I
am a writer."
If
you're a writer, there's a big difference between knowing it yourself and
proclaiming it to the rest of the world. It takes courage to say, "I
am a writer."
If
you're a writer, there's a big difference between knowing it yourself and
proclaiming it to the rest of the world. It takes courage to say, "I
am a writer."
If
you're a writer, there's a big difference between knowing it yourself and
proclaiming it to the rest of the world. It takes courage to say, "I
am a writer."
But
it takes courage to do most things that are worthwhile.
But
it takes courage to do most things that are worthwhile.
But
it takes courage to do most things that are worthwhile.
But
it takes courage to do most things that are worthwhile.
But
it takes courage to do most things that are worthwhile.
But
it takes courage to do most things that are worthwhile.
But
it takes courage to do most things that are worthwhile.
If
you're a writer, you might never make a million dollars.
If
you're a writer, you might never make a million dollars.
If
you're a writer, you might never make a million dollars.
If
you're a writer, you might never make a million dollars.
If
you're a writer, you might never make a million dollars.
If
you're a writer, you might never make a million dollars.
If
you're a writer, you might never make a million dollars.
But
you may write stories that help others feel valued, accepted, understood,
confident, not alone. You can make that kind of magic.
But
you may write stories that help others feel valued, accepted, understood,
confident, not alone. You can make that kind of magic.
But
you may write stories that help others feel valued, accepted, understood,
confident, not alone. You can make that kind of magic.
But
you may write stories that help others feel valued, accepted, understood,
confident, not alone. You can make that kind of magic.
But
you may write stories that help others feel valued, accepted, understood,
confident, not alone. You can make that kind of magic.
If
you're a writer, your work is a piece of your soul. By putting it out
into the world, you risk it getting stomped on.
If
you're a writer, your work is a piece of your soul. By putting it out
into the world, you risk it getting stomped on.
If
you're a writer, your work is a piece of your soul. By putting it out
into the world, you risk it getting stomped on.
If
you're a writer, your work is a piece of your soul. By putting it out
into the world, you risk it getting stomped on.
If
you're a writer, your work is a piece of your soul. By putting it out
into the world, you risk it getting stomped on.
But
the words you put out there might change someone's life.
But
the words you put out there might change someone's life.
But
the words you put out there might change someone's life.
But
the words you put out there might change someone's life.
But
the words you put out there might change someone's life.
Sometimes
you have to take a deep breath...
Sometimes
you have to take a deep breath...
Sometimes
you have to take a deep breath...
Sometimes
you have to take a deep breath...
Sometimes
you have to take a deep breath...
Sometimes
you have to take a deep breath...
Sometimes
you have to take a deep breath...
...
and jump!
...
and jump!
...
and jump!
...
and jump!
...
and jump!
...
and jump!
...
and jump!
...
and jump!
...
and jump!
...
and jump!
Writing
is about shared experience, connectedness, finding a way to acknowledge,
embrace, and express the essential parts of life that are common to us all.
Writing
is about shared experience, connectedness, finding a way to acknowledge,
embrace, and express the essential parts of life that are common to us all.
Writing
is about shared experience, connectedness, finding a way to acknowledge,
embrace, and express the essential parts of life that are common to us all.
Writing
is about shared experience, connectedness, finding a way to acknowledge,
embrace, and express the essential parts of life that are common to us all.
Writing
is about shared experience, connectedness, finding a way to acknowledge,
embrace, and express the essential parts of life that are common to us all.
Writing
is about shared experience, connectedness, finding a way to acknowledge,
embrace, and express the essential parts of life that are common to us all.
Writing
is about shared experience, connectedness, finding a way to acknowledge,
embrace, and express the essential parts of life that are common to us all.
The
little girl on the kitchen floor knew what it was about long before she could
articulate it. It was right there in the stories she wrote: family and
friendship, love and loss, imagination and dreams.
The
little girl on the kitchen floor knew what it was about long before she could
articulate it. It was right there in the stories she wrote: family and
friendship, love and loss, imagination and dreams.
The
little girl on the kitchen floor knew what it was about long before she could
articulate it. It was right there in the stories she wrote: family and
friendship, love and loss, imagination and dreams.
The
little girl on the kitchen floor knew what it was about long before she could
articulate it. It was right there in the stories she wrote: family and
friendship, love and loss, imagination and dreams.
The
little girl on the kitchen floor knew what it was about long before she could
articulate it. It was right there in the stories she wrote: family and
friendship, love and loss, imagination and dreams.
The
little girl on the kitchen floor knew what it was about long before she could
articulate it. It was right there in the stories she wrote: family and
friendship, love and loss, imagination and dreams.
The
little girl on the kitchen floor knew what it was about long before she could
articulate it. It was right there in the stories she wrote: family and
friendship, love and loss, imagination and dreams.
And
yet if you ask anyone who writes what the hardest thing they do is, they'll
probably tell you it's writing :) There's a reason there are so many
famous quotes along the lines of Red Smith's "Writing is easy. All
you do is sit down at the typewriter and open a vein!"
And
yet if you ask anyone who writes what the hardest thing they do is, they'll
probably tell you it's writing :) There's a reason there are so many
famous quotes along the lines of Red Smith's "Writing is easy. All
you do is sit down at the typewriter and open a vein!"
And
yet if you ask anyone who writes what the hardest thing they do is, they'll
probably tell you it's writing :) There's a reason there are so many
famous quotes along the lines of Red Smith's "Writing is easy. All
you do is sit down at the typewriter and open a vein!"
And
yet if you ask anyone who writes what the hardest thing they do is, they'll
probably tell you it's writing :) There's a reason there are so many
famous quotes along the lines of Red Smith's "Writing is easy. All
you do is sit down at the typewriter and open a vein!"
And
yet if you ask anyone who writes what the hardest thing they do is, they'll
probably tell you it's writing :) There's a reason there are so many
famous quotes along the lines of Red Smith's "Writing is easy. All
you do is sit down at the typewriter and open a vein!"
And
yet if you ask anyone who writes what the hardest thing they do is, they'll
probably tell you it's writing :) There's a reason there are so many
famous quotes along the lines of Red Smith's "Writing is easy. All
you do is sit down at the typewriter and open a vein!"
And
yet if you ask anyone who writes what the hardest thing they do is, they'll
probably tell you it's writing :) There's a reason there are so many
famous quotes along the lines of Red Smith's "Writing is easy. All
you do is sit down at the typewriter and open a vein!"
Writing
takes actual, physical effort. It's hard to find the perfect words. It's
hard to find a way to say what's in your heart.
Writing
takes actual, physical effort. It's hard to find the perfect words. It's
hard to find a way to say what's in your heart.
Writing
takes actual, physical effort. It's hard to find the perfect words. It's
hard to find a way to say what's in your heart.
Writing
takes actual, physical effort. It's hard to find the perfect words. It's
hard to find a way to say what's in your heart.
Writing
takes actual, physical effort. It's hard to find the perfect words. It's
hard to find a way to say what's in your heart.
Writing
takes actual, physical effort. It's hard to find the perfect words. It's
hard to find a way to say what's in your heart.
Writing
takes actual, physical effort. It's hard to find the perfect words. It's
hard to find a way to say what's in your heart.
But
it's important, because if it's in your heart, it's certainly in someone
else's. And maybe you can find the way to say it so it makes sense to
them.
But
it's important, because if it's in your heart, it's certainly in someone
else's. And maybe you can find the way to say it so it makes sense to
them.
But
it's important, because if it's in your heart, it's certainly in someone
else's. And maybe you can find the way to say it so it makes sense to
them.
But
it's important, because if it's in your heart, it's certainly in someone
else's. And maybe you can find the way to say it so it makes sense to
them.
But
it's important, because if it's in your heart, it's certainly in someone
else's. And maybe you can find the way to say it so it makes sense to
them.
But
it's important, because if it's in your heart, it's certainly in someone
else's. And maybe you can find the way to say it so it makes sense to
them.
But
it's important, because if it's in your heart, it's certainly in someone
else's. And maybe you can find the way to say it so it makes sense to
them.
Writing
is a labor of love, no matter how you do it or who you do it for.
Writing
is a labor of love, no matter how you do it or who you do it for.
Writing
is a labor of love, no matter how you do it or who you do it for.
Writing
is a labor of love, no matter how you do it or who you do it for.
Writing
is a labor of love, no matter how you do it or who you do it for.
Writing
is a labor of love, no matter how you do it or who you do it for.
Writing
is a labor of love, no matter how you do it or who you do it for.
We
all have stories to tell.
We
all have stories to tell.
We
all have stories to tell.
We
all have stories to tell.
We
all have stories to tell.
We
all have stories to tell.
We
all have stories to tell.
Some
of us paint them with a brush on canvas.
Some
of us paint them with a brush on canvas.
Some
of us paint them with a brush on canvas.
Some
of us paint them with a brush on canvas.
Some
of us paint them with a brush on canvas.
Some
of us paint them with a brush on canvas.
Some
of us paint them with a brush on canvas.
Some
of us sing them in major or minor keys with three verses and a chorus.
Some
of us sing them in major or minor keys with three verses and a chorus.
Some
of us sing them in major or minor keys with three verses and a chorus.
Some
of us sing them in major or minor keys with three verses and a chorus.
Some
of us sing them in major or minor keys with three verses and a chorus.
Some
of us sing them in major or minor keys with three verses and a chorus.
Some
of us sing them in major or minor keys with three verses and a chorus.
Some
of us dance them with grace and power, leaping and gliding across a stage.
Some
of us dance them with grace and power, leaping and gliding across a stage.
Some
of us dance them with grace and power, leaping and gliding across a stage.
Some
of us dance them with grace and power, leaping and gliding across a stage.
Some
of us dance them with grace and power, leaping and gliding across a stage.
Some
of us dance them with grace and power, leaping and gliding across a stage.
Some
of us dance them with grace and power, leaping and gliding across a stage.
Some
share their stories over a cup of coffee at the kitchen table with friends or
family.
Some
share their stories over a cup of coffee at the kitchen table with friends or
family.
Some
share their stories over a cup of coffee at the kitchen table with friends or
family.
Some
share their stories over a cup of coffee at the kitchen table with friends or
family.
Some
share their stories over a cup of coffee at the kitchen table with friends or
family.
Some
share their stories over a cup of coffee at the kitchen table with friends or
family.
Some
share their stories over a cup of coffee at the kitchen table with friends or
family.
And
some of us write.
And
some of us write.
And
some of us write.
And
some of us write.
And
some of us write.
And
some of us write.
And
some of us write.
And
some of us write.
And
some of us write.
And
some of us write.
If
you're a writer, you have a gift.
If
you're a writer, you have a gift.
If
you're a writer, you have a gift.
If
you're a writer, you have a gift.
If
you're a writer, you have a gift.
If
you're a writer, you have a gift.
If
you're a writer, you have a gift.
If
you're a writer, you have a gift.
If
you're a writer, you have a gift.
If
you're a writer, you have a gift.
Don't
let practicality or fear or the opinions of others stand in your way.
Don't
let practicality or fear or the opinions of others stand in your way.
Don't
let practicality or fear or the opinions of others stand in your way.
Don't
let practicality or fear or the opinions of others stand in your way.
Don't
let practicality or fear or the opinions of others stand in your way.
Don't
let practicality or fear or the opinions of others stand in your way.
Don't
let practicality or fear or the opinions of others stand in your way.
Share
it :)
Share
it :)
Share
it :)
Share
it :)
Share
it :)
Share
it :)
Share
it :)
Susanna Leonard Hill grew up in New York City with her mom and dad, one sister and two brothers, and an assortment of cats. She went to the Brearley School for K - 12, then received her B.A. in English and Psychology from Middlebury College. She then went on to get her M.A. and M.Ed. in Counseling Psychology and Special Education of Children With Learning Disabilities from Teacher's College, Columbia University.
Susanna Leonard Hill grew up in New York City with her mom and dad, one sister and two brothers, and an assortment of cats. She went to the Brearley School for K - 12, then received her B.A. in English and Psychology from Middlebury College. She then went on to get her M.A. and M.Ed. in Counseling Psychology and Special Education of Children With Learning Disabilities from Teacher's College, Columbia University.
Susanna Leonard Hill grew up in New York City with her mom and dad, one sister and two brothers, and an assortment of cats. She went to the Brearley School for K - 12, then received her B.A. in English and Psychology from Middlebury College. She then went on to get her M.A. and M.Ed. in Counseling Psychology and Special Education of Children With Learning Disabilities from Teacher's College, Columbia University.
Susanna Leonard Hill grew up in New York City with her mom and dad, one sister and two brothers, and an assortment of cats. She went to the Brearley School for K - 12, then received her B.A. in English and Psychology from Middlebury College. She then went on to get her M.A. and M.Ed. in Counseling Psychology and Special Education of Children With Learning Disabilities from Teacher's College, Columbia University.
Susanna Leonard Hill grew up in New York City with her mom and dad, one sister and two brothers, and an assortment of cats. She went to the Brearley School for K - 12, then received her B.A. in English and Psychology from Middlebury College. She then went on to get her M.A. and M.Ed. in Counseling Psychology and Special Education of Children With Learning Disabilities from Teacher's College, Columbia University.
She worked for many years teaching dyslexic students, but stopped after her third child was born. Now she spends her time being a mom, writing, and visiting schools whenever she gets the opportunity.
She worked for many years teaching dyslexic students, but stopped after her third child was born. Now she spends her time being a mom, writing, and visiting schools whenever she gets the opportunity.
She worked for many years teaching dyslexic students, but stopped after her third child was born. Now she spends her time being a mom, writing, and visiting schools whenever she gets the opportunity.
She worked for many years teaching dyslexic students, but stopped after her third child was born. Now she spends her time being a mom, writing, and visiting schools whenever she gets the opportunity.
She worked for many years teaching dyslexic students, but stopped after her third child was born. Now she spends her time being a mom, writing, and visiting schools whenever she gets the opportunity.
