What do I mean when I say, “I have begun writing…”?
It means that I am at the beginning. When I start a book or story I first gather either real or imagined evidence that can be pieced together like a puzzle. Sometimes there are lost pieces. Perhaps some of the pieces I have in my possession belong to a different puzzle altogether or, maybe, I am looking at a proper piece all wrong.
When you start a puzzle do you dump all the pieces from the box or dig through the box looking for pieces that fit together? When you start connecting the pieces do you connect the border pieces first or fit pieces together in clusters? Either way will get you going in the right direction. Same holds true for writing a story.
You have this vision or a thought or an idea and think: Wow! That would make quite a story. How can I sensationalize it? Or add to it? Or turn it into a believable fantasy? What pieces do I want to use to create the picture in my mind? How do I want those pieces to fit together? Do I want to complete the picture by laying out the entire scenario or do I create little scenes and ease each cluster into place?
Anyone who knows me knows that I frequently have more than one iron in the fire. I take that back. Anyone who knows me may not know that much about me and may simply think me scatterbrained. I could probably be diagnosed with Controlled, Adult Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. I would challenge that and say, “I just have so much in my mind looking for a way out.” I add the word ‘controlled’ to the label because I am focused and know how to direct the thoughts vying to exit the confines of my mind. Sometimes I direct them into books or art. Well, not always. OK, I do often get distracted. Alright! Scatterbrained. It would be the right word. That’s why my example is a puzzle.
Where do my ideas come from? Well, life happens. Sometimes life gives you lemons. When it does, you write your thoughts on paper with your new bottle of lemonade ink.
So let’s go back to last week, regarding my query for a variety of stories from a variety of people involved in a variety of situations all involving caring for people who cannot care for themselves for a variety of reasons, however temporary their dependency may have been. In this case, I want to perform a cluster composition. Those clusters will become the entire picture. I will also be using my own tales from my own nursing crypt. That’s where the initial idea emerged. Stories started rattling around in my brain and begged to be heard. Perhaps that will create the border and the call for other tales, the clusters, will join the party.
Hmmm…and I believe I have a working title. Nursing: Tales from the Crypt. I would like to make you laugh, cry, ponder, or be called to action. In addition to your tale, I would also like to hear your opinion of how the situation could have been different if the approach was modified. My primary target market for the completed work will be nursing students. It may make them re-consider their career choice or solidify their drive to give competent, compassionate care to others. In that light, the scenarios could be helpful for anyone really, but I believe the medical community would be the most appreciative.
Thanks for caring!
–Flo
I’d only just begun…
Flo Radke, author 