The Call To Write An Invitation To Aspiring Writers Conversation Series William L. White Pamela Woll for Prevention First, Inc. Library of Congress Cataloging in Publication Data The Call to Write Published by the Lighthouse Institute Bloomington, Illinois © 1995 by William L. White and Pamela Woll All Rights Reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any means without permission in writing from the authors. Additional copies of this publication may be obtained by sending $12.95 plus $3.00 shipping and handling to: Lighthouse Institute Publishing 702 West Chestnut Street Bloomington, Illinois 61701-2814 (309) 827-6026 The Conversation Series This book is one of a series of books and monographs published by the Lighthouse Institute on areas of specialized skill within the field of behavioral health. Each work in the series engages two or more people in conversation about their areas of special expertise. Like all the works in the series, this one contains personal anecdotes, skill development resources, practical suggestions, career options, and "how-to" guidance—all within the language and tone of a personal conversation. Dear Friend and Colleague, All health and human service professionals write. We write client histories. We write up service activities. We write letters, memos and reports. We write policies and procedures. We write plans and grant proposals. And yet some of us aspire to a very different kind of writing. Do you feel you have perceptions and thoughts that could be of interest or benefit to others? Do you find yourself drawn to the beauty of words? Have you ever read an article or book and thought afterwards, "I could have written that." Are you drawn to stories and the meanings they contain? Do you find yourself doodling words and ideas in response to things going on around you? Have you ever tried and enjoyed writing outside the context of academic or professionally assigned work? Do you have an interest in how writers create their works? Have you ever thought about writing as a medium for personal growth or as a vehicle for service? If so, you may be one of the people we are looking for. We are looking for aspiring writers, young and old. We are looking for people without writing experience and people who may already be writing and wish to compare their experiences with those of other writers. We are looking for people who are interested in developing and refining their writing skills. If you are such a person, we invite you to join us in a detailed conversation about the writing craft and the writing life. Our motive for this invitation is simple and straightforward. The field needs writers and we want to entice you to help fill this void. This book is an invitation and an orientation to the process of writing for personal growth and professional service. It explores in detail many aspects of the writing craft and the writer's lifestyle. It discusses diverse writing forms—the journal, the professional article, the research report, the monograph, the book. The two authors, William White and Pamela Woll, have extensive experience writing within and for the substance abuse prevention and treatment fields. Bill is a Senior Research Consultant for the Lighthouse Institute in Bloomington, Illinois. Pam is Senior Writer in the Chicago office of the Illinois Prevention Resource Center, a project of Prevention First, Inc. Both discuss the development of writing skills, the craft of writing, the challenges of writing, and the many kinds of writing they have undertaken in their fields. This is not a book you have to read cover to cover. Skip and dance your way through, pausing at those areas that catch your interest. We have tried to create the feel of a late-night conversation between friends and colleagues in front of a fireplace—a blend of mutual respect, camaraderie, and warmth. So come join us to discuss the challenges, frustrations, and magic of this call to write. Use our thoughts and experiences to stimulate your own reflections. Ultimately this is a book about you and your potential as a writer. Bill White Pam Woll Acknowledgements We would like to acknowledge the support of our two agencies, the Lighthouse Institute and Prevention First, Inc., for their recognition of the need for such a product and their willingness to grant time toward its completion. Deep appreciation goes to the following reviewers who offered many helpful critiques of early drafts: Barbara Allen, Rita Chaney, Rob Furey, Valerie Hoskins, Shirley Pacely, and Michelle Pillen. Technical assistance in preparation of the manuscript was provided by Joyce Thomas. Table of Contents Part I: Two Writers Chapter 1: Bill................................................................................................ 1 Personal Writing History .............................................................................. 2 Writing Incest in the Organizational Family .................................................. 6 Writing The Culture of Addiction; The Culture of Recovery.......................... 8 The Challenge of Writing Critical Incidents................................................... 8 The Conversation Series................................................................................. 10 Overview of Writing Career........................................................................... 11 Motivation to Write........................................................................................ 13 Influence of Family, Culture and Place ......................................................... 17 Current Projects and Future Plans.................................................................. 20 Chapter 2: Pam............................................................................................ 23 Early Writing Experience............................................................................... 23 Writing Influences.......................................................................................... 24 Experience in Journalism ............................................................................... 26 A Writer in Search of a Field ......................................................................... 28 Becoming a Professional Writer .................................................................... 31 Discovering Prevention.................................................................................. 31 The Prevention First Experience.................................................................... 34 Personal Contributions and Challenges ......................................................... 37 Part II: The Writing Craft Chapter 3: Inspiration and Direction ....................................................... 43 Beginning to Write ......................................................................................... 43 Journaling: Capturing Perceptions, Ideas and Feelings ........................................................................................ 44 Writing as Self-Exploration and Therapy...................................................... 46 Thinking Mentors and Writing Mentors........................................................ 50 Mentoring Yourself........................................................................................ 53 Writing Workshops ........................................................................................ 54 Writing Projects.............................................................................................. 55 Having Something to Say............................................................................... 56 Beginning a Book........................................................................................... 57 Chapter 4: Topic Development and Research ......................................... 61 Selecting the Topic......................................................................................... 61 Respecting the Topic...................................................................................... 66 Author and Audience ..................................................................................... 70 Research.......................................................................................................... 72 Approaching the Topic................................................................................... 74 Writing in Tandem ......................................................................................... 76 Chapter 5: Structure................................................................................... 79 Outlines........................................................................................................... 79 Importance of Structure.................................................................................. 80 Sequence of Material...................................................................................... 81 Structure Under Time Pressure ...................................................................... 85 Chapter 6: The Process of Writing ........................................................... 89 Original Composition..................................................................................... 89 The Use of Words and Imagery..................................................................... 90 The Power and Potential Misuse of Words and Imagery.................................................................................. 93 Writing Style...................................................................................................95