Cake Box Provides Lesson On Writing

Weekly Editor's Letter:

What Shopping For A Cake Mix Taught Me About Writing

Having already, on too many occasions, admitted to everyone that I have a great deal of trouble finishing stories, I have been asking myself, “Why?”

In one of my previous newsletters, I shared how newspapers are a source of inspiration in developing story ideas, yet I still struggle to complete my writing projects, “Why?”

Well, I’d like to share my most recent epiphany.

I have been writing for almost as long as I have been a Chief Cook & Bottle Washer. One of my weekly duties is grocery shopping. As I stood in the baking isle of Rouse’s Supermarket gazing at the varied array of prepackaged cake mixes, and admiring the wonderful pictures of the various finished cakes that adorned each and every box I suddenly realized exactly why I have so much trouble completing my stories. Viola!

We all, well most of us anyway, follow a recipe to produce our version of the finished cake that is pictured on the cake mix box. We know what the cake will look like before we break the first egg, and if all goes well, we usually even know how the cake is going to taste. The process of baking a cake is routine, and almost automatic. When baking a cake, we combine ingredients to make a batter, pour it in a cake pan, and then put the pan in the oven to bake.

Baking a cake is not rocket science, nor do I need to be a Rocket Scientist to write, right?

Anyway, the point is, as I stood in the cake mix isle of my local grocery store, I suddenly realized that writing a story is much like baking a cake.

Before I sit down to write, I've usually given my story some thought, usually a great deal of thought, as my family thinks I am just day dreaming. Well, from now on when I sit down to write, I will now write the last chapter first, and once the ending of my story is much thought out story is complete, then and only then will I have a goal to work towards, and I will begin writing the rest of the story.

Imagine my surprise.

It can’t be that easy, can it?

Well, I happen to believe it is. Personally, I give story ideas quite a bit of thought well before I sit down to actually write – what you may call the baking process. Once I have the final chapter written, all I have to do is write the rest of the story explaining exactly how I got to the end of the story. Voila!

I have finally realized that in order to succeed as a writer I need to know how my story ends before I start writing it.

Why?

Although I am not a new to the writing process, I often lose steam, especially when faced with the problem of tying up all the details I’ve so lovingly constructed in my story – and I have a drawer full of unfinished stories to prove it, too.

I have finally realized my stories never get finished because I didn’t have one final, and complete idea where I was going. If I know the ending of my story before I begin, that doesn't mean I can't change that ending if a better one occurs to me. What's important is that I have an ending – a direction, a final goal to work towards.

Maybe this idea of knowing how a story ends is not new, but this entire concept of writing the last chapter first is new to me.

Then I realized that I don’t take trips without a final destination, so why in the world would I start writing a story if I have no idea where or how it is going to end?

If you've been paying attention, you've memorized my big secret – know the ending before you start writing.

But a great ending needs a great beginning. If you want to make a good impression first impression you need to look your best. If you want someone to read your story, you've got to lure a reader in. I still need to write an opening sentence that captures my audience.

And in between the opening sentence and the final chapter of any story is the plot.

Write On!!!

Sincerely,

The Critic

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