http://colo2.flyanglersonline.com/cst/cst3598.php
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Wow - that's hard, isn't it?
But I'll give it a try, because I'd like to see what others of you post... even if it's just a line or two (sometimes there's a favorite opening line, or favorite passage).
I'll admit I was absolutely thrilled the first time Ladyfisher and JC postered an article of mine! Originally, I wrote a lot about my fly fishing kids, and they were / are a source of great support.
I'd say my best writing, if I can judge it, is the book that just came out, "Changing Planes", but I can't really post that here.... cane, conservation, and community (even a FAOL reference). I think it's the most satisfying writing I've done.
But
How about this?
I love this little poem I wrote for my Mom and stepdad in Florida. I like the feels and smells of it, the sounds. I like the double imagery of "cardinal" since I know it was Easter.... Just my personal favorite, I guess, because it made my Mom cry :-)
Mom and Archie
Whispers nudge my dreams away,
aroma in the air.
I know this time, these morning sounds,
this place my heart holds dear,
the cooing of a mourning dove,
music sweet and calm,
a fish crow's Caw! A melody-
a cardinal in the palm.
But nearer still, rustling about,
the sounds which keep me warm,
a warmth I have not felt in weeks,
a waiting mother's arms
and coffee brewing early cheer,
the paper being read,
my stepfather turns the page.
I listen from my bed.
Though now our homes, from North to South,
may seem far apart,
these sounds I'll take to hear again
each morning in my heart.
(makes me cry to re-read it... sappy of me, huh?)
Kat
I'm new here to this forum -- and I will post a proper introduction next -- but I would say just keep working at your writing -- some may like it -- some may not -- but even in criticism there are lessons to be learned. I post my writing on several different forums -- it's amazing the feedback you can get, both pro and con. Only one really negative experience in posting on a fly fishing forum and that was because I didn't know the "unwritten" rules to posting on there -- so I learned a valuable lesson that a good writer should always research their subject.
I guess other than that try to find your own style. And that should be evolving as you learn more. Many of us are influenced by certain writers. For me that includes John Gierach plus several fellow Canadian writers such as Greg Clark, Roderick Haig-Brown, and Mark Kingwell.
John Gierach wrote in the Introduction to "Death, Taxes, and Leaky Waders" (an anthology of his writing):
I think a good fishing story is like any good story: It either gets at something that wasn't immediately apparent or it gets at something obvious in a way you never thought of before. Beyond that it's honest, plainspoken, and avoids being a billboar for the author's ego. Of course that last one is the trickiest, because your own motives are always the hardest to see and because without a healthy ego you wouldn't be writing in the first place.
Still, you come to understand that if you compose something that you think really shows off your skill as a writer, you should get rid of it because it's self-indulgent and, worse yet, it won't fool anyone. At itsworst, this can become what Garrison Keillor recently called "stuff in which there's nobody home," and Jim Harrison could have been talking about fishing stories instead of poetry when he said that most of it "was elaborate harness that never smelled a real horse."
Tight Lines, Mike
P.S. Liked the example given by Castwell. I look forward to posting some of my stories here -- and getting your feedback, good or bad.
I'll answer the question which is the title of the thread for you. You are an excellent writer.
At the Michigan Fish-In last summer, I had the lucky chance to meet you and have you sign a book for me. I read it almost to the end and then I set it aside for two reasons. First I wanted the weather to cool off a bit so that I could empathize with your setting a bit more. (Winter vs 90+ degree days isn't exactly harmonic.) But mainly, I didn't want the book to be over. If I saved a chapter or two, it wouldn't be. There would still be more to look forward to. The leaves started turning on the trees, and finished turning within your book. It was a great read and I shall probably get another book or two from your pen when I go back up to Gates Lodge for MIFI '09. (I wouldn't have bought the book if it wasn't for them, so they get my return business.)
"As for common mistakes, one of mine is to get a word in my head that pops up too often in my writing. To cure it, I word search that word if I suspect that it's an issue, and then I see how often it appears. "
That word is "bamboo". It is NOT a problem. Don't bother changing with regards to including it in your writing. :)
Thanks from a very satisfied customer,
Ed
P.S. You and your sister are even nicer than Jack Hise said that y'all are.
LOL - "bamboo", "cane", I do seem to be stuck on those words - grin. Thanks for making my day, Ed. Hope our paths cross next summer.
Liked it, JC!
MikeO, welcome. I think one of the more endearing things about John Gierach's writing is his wit and humor, and the way he doesn't elevate his stories. How many times have so many of us thought that it would be fun to fish with him?
......
So, as far as process goes, do you guys make notes before you write, outline thoughts? Or just have at it and fix it up later?
Kat
Thanks J C for that link. I sat here thinking, and trying to imagine what that bird manure fly must look like. I then went to my old Dodge pickup that's parked under a tree and examined the roof, hood and windshield. Bingo! Seems like it could be tied with a fair amount of white or light grey dubbing wrapped with a grizzly hackle on anything from a #12 2X to a #2 very long shank, depending on the bird poop you are trying to imitate.
There was a feller up in the Eastern Sierras I watched one day. He took a very nice fly out of his box, burnt it in several places with a lit cigarette, dropped it to the ground, stepped on it and spun his foot a little. He then picked it up, blew it off, cleaned the hook eye and tied it on his tippet. a couple of casts later he landed a fat brookie. I guess the fly looked too good to be true in it's original clothes because when I asked him about it he told me quite frankly that he was "undressing" the fly. Jim
I dislike long, laborius styles. Get to the point already!
RE: wishing we could fish with John Gierach:
Yes I thought about from the minute I first read his work -- and yes it was -- didn't even realize at time who it was -- just thought it was some other fly fisher on a small creek in Colorado -- how stupid is it to say to somebody "Do you know you look like.....????
RE: writing process
Yes I usually write in long hand first -- mine old fishing journals for nuggets to write on.
I've tried just going at it too -- but still end up editing it quite a bit too -- usually after posting the story on a forum site and getting feedback.
And Kat, thanks for the welcome.
I hope this link works. I wrote this several years ago and LF was gracious enough to post it.
Look Here
Great read Lotech. This site is just full of good writers. Thanks for the link. Jim