Welcome to
The Writer's Den

Writing is a passion. For those who struggle with the "muse" and create those moments of written brilliance, this page is for you. I am in awe of all who have mastered the skill.

My name is Brenda Howard. Writing is my first love. It's the love/hate relationship that only writers understand, as we painfully lace words together to convey our most creative thoughts.

Somewhere along the pathway of my life, I found my way to the Internet. I've been traveling this virtual path ever since. It is a haven for writers. A treasure chest of the written word. Indeed, it is also the home of many writing friends.

More often than not, I only have time for my short stories. They are very special to me though. They allow the release of words during the times when my thoughts overflow and I must let them escape onto the keyboard. Some of these stories are posted here for your enjoyment, pleasure or pain - as the case may be. Till another time . . .

Gospel Music

A Moment of Anger

Circle of Dancers

The Embrace

Training Mission Cancelled

 

Poetry, Music, Writing. Whether one writes science, short stories, or novels, to do it well there will be these three entwined and interwoven. A dollop of math has its place in effective communication, and what more is writing than effective communication? If I were to say A is to B as C is to D, would you recognize the mathematical inference? Shall I say it as Professor Einstein might: A:B::C:D or 2:4 :: 8:16? In writing, smoothly and with the rhythm of music, we might say "With her last ounce of effort she dropped her stern, frowning demeanor for a lilting, smiling welcome and in that segue became a beautiful butterfly, the antecedent caterpillar a forgotten shell." A:B :: C:D

A writer can write --that is, he/she thinks deeply beneath the surface that most of his fellows play upon, whether in speedboats on a summer's lake or the rush to work beset by traffic and the high-decibel waters of city life. A writer knows. And without saying it in so many words, he knows that he knows. Not that he sees all, knows all, but about the subject of which he is writing at this moment, he knows. There is no pretense at knowing that will cut through the cacaphony of hype that pounds us from morning to night; he knows and he tells the story either directly in forthright statements, or he clothes what he knows of human nature and the origins of life enrapt in his creation of characters who act the parts and the knowing that he has discovered.Whether in short story or novel form, he tells it like he sees it, for the most part remaining omniscient throughout the tale. Even in first person he assumes a characterization and becomes one of his own players. And yes, even as script for a stage play or a motion picture, it is evident that the conveyance of knowing is present.

As stated perhaps you have seen that the writer is a creature apart. He/she is lonely, unable to embrace even other writers totally and completely, because there are things he has seen that have not as yet been the other's lot to have discovered. It is a lonely life, that of the writer. Do not enter it if you would have it otherwise. "Knock, and it shall be opened unto you." You have knocked at the forbidding doors of the very source of knowledge, and slowly, meditation by meditation, query by query, wonder by wonder, those doors have opened, at first by a thin wavering crack, and then all too soon, wide and deep and high and low. Nor can you ever (and remain true to yourself) will them closed again. If you would have it any other way, seek another life's work, --bank teller, brick layer, steeplejack. There is a vast chasm between belief and knowing. When you truly knock upon those hallowed doors, you must fully expect to leave beliefs behind, because you will be answered and the world of your childhood will have become a precious memory. Listen once again, more closely this time, to Victor Herbert's "Babes in Toyland."

--Waldo T. Boyd

Mr. Boyd has been teaching Creative Writing since 1933, in California, and continues his passion to this day.

 

I often have people that email me and discuss writing. We also take the time to share stories. I've finally decided that these stories, thoughts and poems should be shared with everyone. As such, I will put some of them up on the site. Take a look around and enjoy the words of other writers.  I'll leave the writing up there that has already been submitted, but not accept any more.

The Writer's Den

Resource:

Writing.org - This site is managed by my long time friend, Durant Imboden, and he has been helping writers for a long time now. He managed the writing forum at MSN for 5 years. I managed the Short Story Workshop for two years.  If you have a question about writing, he would have the resource on his site and/or know the answer. 

Online Writing Classes - These classes are provided by Writer's Digest online writing program and are taught by published writers that will help you throughout the entire course.  When I first started writing, I didn't have the time to go to school or very much money to pay for it.  I saved up my pennies, paid for a professional writing program and it has been the best money that I've ever invested.  

I learned tricks, exercises and steps that allowed me to get beyond the mechanics of writing quickly and into the creativity of writing - which is where all writers dream of being.  If you cannot afford a class, then definitely cruise around the Internet and learn all that you can from the free resources available.  

If you want to get published and into the fast track, save up those pennies and let the professionals help you through the process.  Whatever you decide, I wish you the best as you embark on the adventure of the wonderful world of words, thoughts and story lines.