Continuing dcp's analogy, I can interpret music, but not create it. I love to sing, and I'm pretty good at it, but I have no concept of how people compose songs. The idea of creating a song that didn't exist before is foreign to me. Not only do I lack that talent, I can't even comprehend it. How can you hear a song you've never heard?

However, I've been creating stories that didn't exist before as long as I can remember, and writing them down off and on since I was 8. Inventing characters and telling stories about them is just what I do. I don't know why, and I was almost grown before I realized there was anything unusual about it. I honestly thought everyone told themselves stories to while away the time, even if they didn't write them down, because it really is that natural for me.

I'm still learning to write well. But I believe the desire to tell stories--talent, compulsion, whatever it is--is innate.

I have that same problem, Allyson. As well as the kind of body where when I say "I'm a writer," I get (Patronizing voice) Oh, I bet you are! Or they make me feel like the Pinball Wizard. Like I got this one weird ability at birth so that I'm not a complete freakshow. Which, okay, without the value judgements, I might concede. Except for, it's taken me so much work, and development, and classes, and learning from other writers. I did not just spring fully formed from Richard Price's head. Although, given all the coke he was probably doing in the seventies, he would probably shrug and take me in stride. And I suck at pinball.

::squoodges the writers::

Several very disconnected thoughts:

There is this ongoing fascination with the lightning bolt. The 'I just sat down and wrote this out on a roll of toilet paper and it's pretty good,' genius who pierces the heart of an idea that no one else has before realized was the core of everything. Because people are fascinated with lottery tickets too.

This is hard. Dammit. Even with lightning bolts.

Having a formula for how to write [actually, for how *you* can write - not someone else] doesn't necessarily make one a good writer. It can help get the wheels moving, and keep them moving.

Having inspiration also doesn't necessarily make one a good writer. So many inspired people talk and think and don't put pen to paper for one reason or another.

But these are part of the practice of writing - these and having a community of writers who will tell you that you aren't nuts, or, if necessary, that you are (by the way, you're not).

And, though this doesn't really help you with the engineer, if someone doesn't believe that talent exists - or that it can be programmed - then they're not going to see talent standing right there in front of them. Because they're not looking for it.

Granted, I know little to nothing. And haven't had any coffee yet.

Sometimes I've had the lightning bolt thing. But that's not usually what it's like. (And I fully admit to being a little nuts. I'm obsessed with a city I've only seen on television. That's a little...off the hook. But the writing isn't the crazy part.

I'm obsessed with a city I've only seen on television.

that is completely normal - I love the same city.

Well, you've lived there. I haven't even seen it personally. I'm prepared to stipulate(check me out, getting my Pearlman on, with or without a parking garage!) that that's a little bizarre. But then, Dempsy and Gannon aren't even *real*(Which totally bowled over my geography-flunking ass, I don't mind telling you.) Maybe it's a writer thing.

dcp-Thanks so much for the link to Acland Brierty…explained, I think I'm in love.

And along the lines of the search for great writing, I'm x-posting this in Bitches:

I've got a request for the lovers of language among us...

I've written a workplace communication workshop...Avoid the Evils of Email!...which is all about increasing productivity and reducing misunderstandings through more effective email communication.

One of my points is about using the right words for the right message vs. generic terms that don't communicate one's actual meaning.

So, I'm looking for snippets (1-3 sentences) of your favorite evocative literature. Examples that stand alone and have left you thinking, "Heh. That was clever/cool/effective."

It matters not where the snippet comes from and I'd be happy to receive them here or via my profile addy.

[tenting fingers in anticipation] I can't wait to see what this brainiac crowd comes up with!

Okey dokey! I have to get a 25K word middle school book together for my agent. I don't write fiction, and haven't written for children. So I'm freaking out, waaaayyyyyy out of my comfort zone, and have no idea what I'm doing. Wheeeeeee!!!

Yay!!!!! Do you need research help? There's a colony of flying foxes at the Sydney Royal Botanic Gardens [link] , which is in downtown Sydney. When we saw them in the daytime, they were sleeping upside down, but would wake up and mutter at people who came to look at them. Of course, Billytea is really the answer.