Is it possible to teach someone to write well, or does eloquence come naturally? Let’s find out. I did some “research” on Google and found a few writing blogs. I am going to see if any of these writing-bloggers are up to the challenge. Can you help me write better?
This is an interesting opportunity because these individuals have the chance to put their abilities to the test. They can show the world if they really posses possess the ability to make someone write better. What do they get if they win? Bragging rights. Five years from now they can say “I helped Jeremy David become the writer he is today.” If successful, that statement could have a lot of weight to it… maybe I’ll dedicate a book or two to them, ha ha ha. Seriously though, if anyone is up to the challenge please let me know!
Here are the blogs I am going to contact:
17 comments ↓
Hi Jeremy!
I’m interested in what you have up your sleeve.
Reeallllllly. In 20 years [insert dream sequence] when I’m nominated for best adapted screenplay I’ll thank you, on stage. But before I get too far ahead of myself, I’m going to have to learn to write first :P. And I’m going to have to figure out what it is that I have up my sleeve.
You are officially my hero.
“posses”= typo
Ahhh, brilliant. This is already working. Cheers!
Hey Jeremy… this is Jenn from SixFigureWriters.com.
The post was a bit general, so I have a few questions for you. If you’d be so kind as to answer them, I’ll post the details on our blog to see if anyone wants to bite. 
1. What kind of writing are you focusing on?
2. How long have you been writing, and have you been published?
3. What exactly are you hoping to gain from the help of other writers? Are you trying to improve your grammar and basic skills, or are you trying to be a “better” writer as in a more marketable writer (there’s often a big difference between the “eloquent” writers and the writers earning a decent living due to strong marketing of their work)?
Thanks!
Jenn
Brave beginning, Jeremy. And I’m guessing you will build a firestorm right here, right now.
Even though I would ditto Jenn’s questions, the coach in me has to backpedal all the way to the beginning, the premise of this site.
Can I teach you how to write? How would you read the question if I emphasized it this way: “Can I teach YOU how to write?”
Coaching is not consulting. I don’t tell you what to do. You tell you what to do. So if you discover that you have holes in your grammar, or a pretty gossamer grip on spelling, what would YOUR next right step be? (Hint: you have all the answers you need. And notice the punctuation inside this parenthesis.)
If I just hand out directions like, well, high school, then it wouldn’t be writing, it would be, well, high school. And who wants to go back there…?
So, coaching question #1: What are your deepest values, and how are they connected to writing?
Lisa
[…] to become a better writer. He wants me and ten other writers to help him. It’s “The Great Writing Challenge” and it’s just interesting enough to cajole me into providing a response. He’s […]
My answer, in four parts…
Reading
Working
Guts/Arrogance
Love
I wrote a long post on all of this. You can read it here:
http://contentdonebetter.com/2007/04/11/advice-for-jeremy-david/
Good luck,
Carson
Well, you didn’t tag me (and I think that’s a good thing), but I want to respond anyway. I can teach you to write. My fee is $125/hr.
While your post is somewhat cute, it’s just another ploy for freebies from working writers. Your career will only be as successful as the time you put into it; you won’t gain a thing by expecting others to do the growing for you.
If you want to win an Oscar for adapted screenplay, then you might want to include blogs by screenwriters in your list.
johnaugust.com
artfulwriter.com
janeespenson.com (you have to snail mail her)
BTW, writing screenplays is entirely different than writing novels, copy, direct mail, press releases, poems, short stories, etc. They’re all different.
And winning an Oscar has more to do with industry politics than it does actual talent.
[…] you are absolutely correct. Thank you so much for providing links to those screenplay writers. I am certainly going to […]
You have one thing going for you, you have caught a lot of attention fast.
Good luck from another BC writer.
Harmony
Jeremy, I heart you back. I’m in.
And for the record…
1. Sarcasm? Moi? I was completely serious! No, really. I was.
2. If you’d sent me a dinky little e-mail asking for help, I would have been much more likely to take you seriously. But this was WAY more fun, if you ask me.
Let’s chat. After you finish your homework, that is. ;]
kk
I agree with Lori. As an aspiring freelancer myself. I find 2 things wrong with what you’re doing.
1. Like Lori said it’s a ploy for freebies. You have your cake but you would like them to teach you to eat it. I could add that this is well thought out ploy to drive traffic to you’re site (but I think the people helping you have already figured that out).
2. Whatever happened to good old-fashioned hard work? They have classes for people who want to learn to write better. Yes, you might have to pay for them but (and this just might sound like crazy talking) I get a much better feeling about myself when I sweat stuff out with a little bit of hard work and elbow grease. You know what I mean? It’s a feeling of self-accomplishment.
Jenn from sixfigurewriters.com said it well. This is far too general which is why myself, like Lori, have a hard time taking you seriously.
So crazy as it sounds, I have read your latest in this adventure of yours and it sounds like you are already a good writer. So what I wonder, is what is the real motive? Do you lack confidence, cause, um, that can’t be taught. You have to find that yourself. Do you need polishing to be a published writer? Maybe, but like I said, do what the rest of us do, study the craft, practice, fall a few times and learn from your mistakes.
Jeremy, I must say, you’re gutsy and I think your approach was brilliant. You’ve picked some great “writer-bloggers” for this challenge and if only one of them accepts (which Kristen already has), then I know you’ll be well on your way to becoming successful writer.
Maybe you are just another aspiring writer looking for freebies, but you’ve put more thought and creativity into your approach than I’ve ever seen (and I’m pretty sure other spectators will have to agree) and for that, I think you deserve the publicity. Really, it sounds like you’re looking for a mentor not just someone to hold your hand.
I think you write pretty well, from what I’ve seen so far. I mean…I’ll at least patronize your blog for awhile, if you update regularly, that is. Good luck to you on achieving your writing dreams!
Jeremy,
Well, well, well, whadda ya know. I was looking around the good old fashioned way, trying to find information on how I could be come a better writer and just happened upon your site. You are good I will give you the credit for that but I have found much more pleasure out of trying to do things the good old fashioned way, lots and lots of “hardwork”. That way when you become successful and make lots and lots of money you can say that you made all on your own steam without any assistance from anyone else. By the way, I am not a professional writer yet and I can tell that you are probaby a pretty good writer to have come up with such and interesting challenge in the first place. I wish you luck in all you do, seriously.
Shell
Aw thanks Michelle.
I agree with you completely though. The best way to write well is to do it the old fashioned way. And I am!
Take care,
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