Sunday, December 12, 2010

Driving a Nitroglycerine Truck Can Help You Write That Novel!

A few days ago, I visited one of my favorite sites, Poets & Writers. One discussion forum talked about good jobs for writers. I chimed in since I’m a little opinionated, and as I wrote my reply twice (the first reply disappeared into the ether), I thought I’d shared what I thought at Writing in my Car.

In my day-time life, I am a proposal writer at City of Hope, a national leader in cancer research and treatment. Doing this helps with writing fiction -- I take difficult, science-y stuff and make it into plain English for regular people so that they donate money to advance cancer research. Writing proposals and reports have helped me slow down in my writing, break language down into its simplest, be compelling while still sticking to the point, and not assume that the reader knows what I'm talking about.

Stephen King taught high school history.
Jack London was an oyster pirate.
Langston Hughes worked as a busboy at a hotel in D.C.
Dan Brown taught high school English.
J.K. Rowling taught English as a Second Language, and was on welfare when she wrote the first Harry Potter novel.
And Harlan Ellison was a short-order cook and a nitroglycerin truck driver.

I always fantasize about writing novels full-time. But working a day job, and being away from my personal writing, is truly a blessing and an inspiration.

What type of crack am I smoking, you ask? Have I gone around the bend and off the cliff? Drank the Kool-Aid about how awesome work is? (And FYI, they drank grape Flavor-Aid on that unfortunate day.)

Think about it.

Does your house feature as many 'characters' at the Widget Factory?

And are they as interesting as your widget-making colleagues -- the ones who look like they may be the shooter if lay-offs ever happened? The ones who use up all your coffee creamer and never say thanks? That woman who refuses to learn how to use the copier and so she comes to your office and asks for your help and you glare at her because you just helped her two days ago but she apologizes and says she just doesn't understand cuz there are just so many buttons?

And at home, you don't have stupid rules like 'No heating fish in the microwave' or require signs that say ‘Please wash your hands after using the toilet.’ If you ever become bug-eyed and shake your head and mutter, who are these people, that means you have great material for your book.

At one of my jobs, there had been a never-ending e-mail string about how to kill the mice in the building -- traps, bring in a cat, let them be? Attorneys, paralegals, fundraisers, support staff going on and on and on and on and on and on about killing mice.

Dude, you can't make this stuff up.

And really: why should you? It's RIGHT THERE, in that memo, in that boss, in the way you never hold the elevator for that creepy guy from Accounting cuz what's his deal and why does he look at you like that and you heard things about him and his wife but that couldn't have really happened, could it, OMG here he comes?

A writer needs all of these crazy and needlessly dramatic shenanigans to populate a story's world. So, pay attention and start carrying your moleskin and quill pen! Start looking around -- the break room, the bathroom, staff meetings, the elevator, the computer where crazy comes in emails about how many Christmas decorations you can have in your cubicle.

In the end, I'd say any job is a good job for a writer. Your character, your chapter, your plot twist may present itself between the business hours of nine and five.

28 comments:

  1. Nice post and I think as a writer, I am always analyzing people, places, and things. It is amazing how much material is out there if you are looking for it.

    ReplyDelete
  2. At least you have office people. Imagine having to trust that creepy co-worker with your life as you both try to contain the WOLF someone dragged out of the forest to get it's nails clipped and filed?

    ReplyDelete
  3. Oh, lordy, A.M., where are you and what do you do for a living? And that's kinda awesome --- from afar and in the safety of my home. But now, that nugget is stored in my brain and if I ever need something random about a wolf getting a mani-pedi while I give the side-eye to a co-worker, guess what I'm thinking of?! Thanks for sharing!

    ReplyDelete
  4. And yeah, Sean, it's a wonderful world for observation. I'm in Los Angeles and there are all kinds of everything here. You just shake your head and smile. Not enough notebooks in the world...

    ReplyDelete
  5. I feel really happy to have seen your webpage and look forward to so many more entertaining times reading here. Thanks once more for all the details. tow truck near me

    ReplyDelete
  6. Wow! Such an amazing and helpful post this is. I really really love it. It's so good and so awesome. I am just amazed. I hope that you continue to do your work like this in the future also. kanker behandeling

    ReplyDelete
  7. Good post but I was wondering if you could write a litte more on this subject? I’d be very thankful if you could elaborate a little bit further. Appreciate it! Ceramic coating

    ReplyDelete
  8. I admire this article for the well-researched content and excellent wording. I got so involved in this material that I couldn’t stop reading. I am impressed with your work and skill. Thank you so much. https://autopartsgh.com/

    ReplyDelete
  9. Love to read it,Waiting For More new Update and I Already Read your Recent Post its Great Thanks. drink driving lawyer

    ReplyDelete
  10. Nice post! This is a very nice blog that I will definitively come back to more times this year! Thanks for informative post. centralina bmw e90

    ReplyDelete
  11. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Yeah, you are quite right. As a writer, you need all of these crazy and needlessly dramatic shenanigans to populate a story's world. As the same way a driver whether he is as truch or car or other vehicles, needs to have all the terms and lessons related to driving. Just revealed your amazing article and pleased to find some good pleasing focuses on writing and also glad to hear about the world's popular movie Harry Potter novel and Harlan Ellison who was a short-order cook and a nitroglycerin truck driver. I personally like to dive into fiction story sitting on the backseat of my car as my driver Tony, a skilled and professional in manual and automatic drive lessons from the top-notch diving service Automatic driving lessons in Abingdon. Anyway, thanks lot for sharing your feelings and thinking while sitting in the car.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Wonderful blog! I found it while surfing around on Yahoo News. Do you have any suggestions on how to get listed in Yahoo News? I’ve been trying for a while but I never seem to get there! Appreciate it. fleet management machine learning

    ReplyDelete
  14. The leading service provider of car ceramic coating in Hyderabad is the detailing mafia. They have excelled in all the fields of the automotive detailing industry. They have a team of a skilled professional who is pro at giving your car the finest look. Their ceramic coating service provides an amazing gloss and protection. To book a slot: Call: +91-80-100-44000. Visit Us:- https://www.thedetailingmafia.com/blog/Best-Ceramic-Coating-For-Your-Car

    ReplyDelete
  15. The leading service provider of car ceramic coating car ceramic coating in Hyderabad is the detailing mafia. They have excelled in all the fields of the automotive detailing industry. They have a team of a skilled professional who is pro at giving your car the finest look. Their ceramic coating service provides an amazing gloss and protection. To book a slot: Call: +91-80-100-44000. Visit Us:- Ceramic Car Coating

    ReplyDelete
  16. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  17. Birla Navya offers luxury bungalows in Sector 63A, Gurgaon. This city is specially designed for a unique and profitable lifestyle. Birla Navya's premium condo spans over 47 acres and has 5 separate enclaves. Luxury apartments in gurgaon are available in this premium city 2bhk, 3bhk and 4bhk. Visit :- Birla Navya Gurgaon

    ReplyDelete
  18. Owning your own auto tow Diesel Repair ​business can be an extremely lucrative business. Entrepreneurs that operate auto towing businesses typically enjoy stable profits. Auto tow truck business owners can begin their operation with one truck, a business plan, a business license and insurance. There is always a need for vehicles to be towed. This results in a stable, practically recession proof business for many business owners. On any day of the week there are a number of vehicles that need to be towed for a variety of reasons.

    ReplyDelete
  19. So much impressed just after diving into your sweet expression. Driving is perhaps very interesting to the most of the drivers or vehicle owners and if it is possible to do something creative that might be a thrilling event or moment. I was charmed with your lovely details. Thank you very much for this amazing piece of writing. Also you guys here, want to learn about diving test or how long does a driving test take? Well, just take a tour to drivingpress to get more.

    ReplyDelete
  20. I’m going to read this. I’ll be sure to come back. thanks for sharing. and also This article gives the light in which we can observe the reality. this is very nice one and gives indepth information. thanks for this nice article... mustang rear diffuser

    ReplyDelete
  21. I think this is an informative post and it is very beneficial and knowledgeable. Therefore, I would like to thank you for the endeavors that you have made in writing this article. All the content is absolutely well-researched. Thanks... PACKYNGYU .

    ReplyDelete
  22. I can’t believe focusing long enough to research; much less write this kind of article. You’ve outdone yourself with this material without a doubt. It is one of the greatest contents. CRYPTO

    ReplyDelete
  23. Awesome article! It is very informative and thoughtful it is filled with great content thank you for sharing it with us. For more information about cars visit
    https://ocdaboutcars.in/xpel-paint-protection-film/

    ReplyDelete
  24. I wanted to thank you for this great read!! I definitely enjoying every little bit of it I have you bookmarked to check out new stuff you post. essayhave review

    ReplyDelete
  25. Fantastic goods from you, man. I've understand your stuff previous to and you are just extremely fantastic. I really like what you have acquired here, really like what you are stating and the way in which you say it. You make it entertaining and you still take care of to keep it sensitive. I can't wait to read far more from you. This is really a tremendous site. cash for scrap cars hendra

    ReplyDelete
  26. I really appreciate the kind of topics you post here. Thanks for sharing us a great information that is actually helpful. Good day! test bank nursing

    ReplyDelete
  27. I really appreciate this wonderful post that you have provided for us. I assure this would be beneficial for most of the people. camping solar panels

    ReplyDelete
  28. Nice Post! Your heart races, adrenaline surges, and every turn becomes a suspenseful moment, providing you with the perfect inspiration for thrilling plot twists. Embrace the danger, fuel your creativity, and let the explosive journey drive your storytelling to new heights! Visit Top Cash for Cars Brisbane Region

    ReplyDelete