Are Writers Magicians?

Writers, pat yourself on the back. You are magicians because you create something out of nothing. There are very few who can do that. 

One morning last October, we had an unexpected snowfall. When I opened the blinds in my bedroom, the first thing I saw was snow on top of my roses. I stood there admiring the lovely sight of the white snow capping the deep pink roses. Before the day was over, I had written a poem that began with I saw snow on the roses this morning. One small thing that I noticed helped me create that poem. 

Writers view the world with a different eye than others. They notice the many small things that most people overlook. A writer might see a squirrel sitting quietly by a tree and subconsciously, then consciously, think about why the squirrel is so still. Is he waiting for nuts to fall from a tree? Is he hiding from a predator? Is he keeping watch for his lady squirrel who is with their little ones? Any one of those questions could be the trigger to write a story or a poem. 

Writers walk through the world looking for stories, for inspiration to create something out of nothing. If you ever witness a writer sitting amongst a group of people but not conversing and with a faraway look in his/her eye, don't be alarmed. They are probably mulling over a story idea. Something one of the crowd said or did triggered the thoughts about a new writing project. 

I don't think that the 'writer's eye' is an inborn trait. Nope. A writer develops it over time. Not days or weeks, but years. It's not easy to make magic as our poster mentions. We have no magic wand, nor does saying 'abra-cadabra' work. We train ourselves to create something out of nothing. We only need an idea or a spark to get the process going. 

So do go ahead and pat yourself on the back once more. No top hat, black cape or magic wand is needed. You are a magician of note as you use words to creat something out of nothing.

Are You A Writer Or A Magician?

Various kinds of artists start with a blank canvas, a pure white page, a lump of clay, an empty loom or a bolt of fabric. As the poster tells us, it is magic to create something out of nothing. 

It's the painter, the writer, the sculptor, the art weaver or professional designer who hovers over nothing, then waves the magic wand and Presto! Changeo! art of some form appears. 

Oh, if it were only that easy. It is true, however, that we writers do create something from nothing, and that can feel magical at times. It is also hard work. 

When we begin with the blank page, we start with one sentence, then a full paragraph, then more paragraphs until we've written a thousand or more words. Is it a masterpiece? Of course not, If we could find that magic wand and let it hover over our words, it might be. Instead, we must go back and revise and edit until the words do appear enchanted. 

When you read a novel, do you ever give thought to what the author has been through to bring you this finished product? I do occasionally because I am a writer, and those of you who write may, as well. But the average reader most likely concentrates solely on the story. They don't think of the gnashing of teeth, the late night frustration of working out a scene, or the anger when things don't come out to the author's satisfaction. The reader doesn't consider the nights the author tosses and turns in bed figuring out why one character does something to another character. The reader is only interested in the story itself. 

It's the writer who wants those words to reach out and touch the reader in some way. He/she who has created something out of nothing wants to bring something special to the reader. 

We plant seeds and wait for the flowers to grow and bloom. When we have a story idea planted in our minds, we have to do more than wait for it to bloom. We work at it a bit at a time. We fill that blank page with words until the story begins to gel. Then we shape it to perfection before submitting it to an editor. 

If you are a writer, be proud of yourself today. Give yourself the proverbial 'pat on the back' because you have performed a bit of magic every time you create something out of nothing.