A Rambunctious Ride Through Writing: W. Kenneth Tyler Jr.'s Unconventional Approach
Strategies for Composing a Literary Work
By W. Kenneth Tyler Jr. (as told to the folks at Kings River Life Magazine)
Let's clear the air straight off the bat. I'm no guru when it comes to penning a masterpiece, be it a heartwarming birthday card, a bossy office memo, or a kid'sschool absence excuse note. Nobody's got that magic formula. Writing, as you might've guessed, is a highly individual pursuit, and let's face it—not everyone's a literary wizard, no matter how much they're schooled.
Quasking the question of how one should write a book is like inquiring about the secrets of baking beer or playing basketball. It ain't everyone's forte. That said, before I wrap up this essay—a subtle twist in an attempt to market my latest literary creation, Hunting the Red Fox (HRF)—let me walk you through my quirky process. For those of you nodding off already, make like a grizzly bear and take a nap. Once you're back, you'll be ready to rock and roll.
Just before I inked the very first letter of the first word of the HRF manuscript, a question popped into my head like a horny toad on a hot summer day: "How the hell do you write a book?"
Now, considering I'd never attempted such a folly, my question seemed valid, if misguided. After all, I had reams of experience under my belt, having written everything from convincing business proposals to the Internal Revenue Service to, well, let's not dig too deep. Yet, none of that was of the creative, make-believe variety—something I was now diving headfirst into.
Being a numerical-minded CPA, my initial thought was, "Plan it out, and create an outline for the narrative structure!" So, I took a pen, stared at the blank sheet of paper before me, and started brainstorming a storyline and some characters. It sounded like a swell idea for roughly 60 seconds. It didn't take me very long to realize that forcing my brain to conform to a pre-set pattern is about as successful as stuffing a circus elephant into a shoe box.
In my case, creative writing requires abandoning my analytical mindset and letting my thoughts run wild and free, like a group of banshees on a rainy night. That's not a typical trait for a CPA. I've spent years reining in my creative side, artsy-fartsy pursuits being frowned upon in my line of work.
I can't outline my way to a book. The only thing that works for me is to plop down in front of a keyboard and let my fingers dance to my brain's symphony. I can't precisely predict what'll end up on the final page.
Writing doesn't happen in a sterile void. I'm a sucker for ambiance, with soft piano music playing in the background, the mellow tunes soothing my synapses. I prefer to write in the wee hours of the morning, with just the stars as my witness. I partake in moderation, and I've abstained from mind-altering substances on my creative binges, believing that clear thinking is the key to great writing.
My workspace consists of a pair of computer screens—one filled with contemporary research, and another displaying the manuscript at hand. It's a wacky ballet, with my fingers frantically trying to keep pace with my overactive brain.
What works for me likely won't work for you. Writing is a personal journey, and everyone has their own soapbox to stand on. The more you put pen to paper, the better you'll get. Don't let know-it-alls discount your work. You may be a stinker now, but practice makes perfect.
Now, I'd be remiss if I didn't guide you to check out Hunting the Red Fox (you can do so at https://huntingtheredfox.com/). If it reeks, let me know. Honestly. I can handle criticism.
Hunting the Red Fox is a thrilling blend of historical fiction, crime, and romance, according to Readers' Favorite Reviews. Give it a read, and you'll flip for its twists and turns, as well as its electrifying, page-turning suspense.
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W. Kenneth Tyler Jr. is a semi-retired Certified Public Accountant (CPA) with a knack for writing and a passion for history. He holds a Bachelor's degree in Business and an MBA with a marketing concentrate. Before starting his own CPA firm, he spent some time in the advertising world, crafting radio commercials and penning speeches for corporate bigwigs. These days, he resides in the lovely Lakewood Ranch, Florida, with his lovely wife, Barbara. They have three beautiful adult children: Katie, Billy, and Abbie. Follow W. Kenneth Tyler Jr. online at https://huntingtheredfox.com/.
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links, which means we receive a few cents if you make purchases. Also, we receive free books from publishers in exchange for honest reviews.
Related: A thorough exploration of W. Kenneth Tyler Jr.'s unique writing style or approach to crafting historical fiction novels might be scarce. To enhance your writing skills and learn more about the genre, consider checking out resources from established historical fiction authors or searching for general writing guides tailored to historical fiction.
The writer, W. Kenneth Tyler Jr., mentions his preferred ambiance for writing, which includes soft piano music, writing in the wee hours of the morning, and working in a workspace with a pair of computer screens filled with contemporary research and the manuscript at hand.
Although the focus of the article is on the writer's unconventional approach to writing books, the author also delves into his interests outside of writing, touching upon the sophistication of home ambiance and the appreciation for a particular genre of music.
