Skip to content

Why I teach

The reason I’ve taught writing for the past decade.

David Gane
David Gane
— 1 min read

I had writer’s block for nearly 15 years.

Before that period, writing was easy. I’d sit down at my Commodore 64 computer and the story would pour out of me and onto the page.

Even better was that people enjoyed reading my stories. I was addicted to entertaining people with them.

What stopped me? Feedback and notes on my grammar and spelling.

But instead of listening to the people who were helping me, I retreated. I wasn’t emotionally strong enough to learn and grow.

It took 15 years to write again. 15 years to get strong enough to handle the feedback.

Now, it is easier. I'm grateful for my editor. She makes my writing look good.

However, I lost 15 years due to fear.

I teach because I want to help others not get blocked. To give them a place to practice, receive feedback, and improve.

Seeing people share their stories and grow as writers is a great feeling—it’s almost as good as doing it yourself.

And that is why I teach.

Blog
David Gane

David Gane Twitter

Co-writer of the Shepherd and Wolfe young adult mysteries, the internationally award-winning series, and teacher of storytelling and screenwriting.

Comments

Related Posts

Mistakes happen

Yesterday's newsletter didn't go to the right group, so I had to resend it tonight. It may even come out after I'm finished with this blog post. I finished it early yesterday, did several edits, then had my wife read it before I sent it. Yet, it still failed—but

Pebbles

Write a blog post every day. Write your book every day. Show love to those close to you. Take walks. Exercise. Read. Each of these is a small pebble in the pond that ripples forward and backward through your life. Throw enough, and eventually, they'll ripple back. (h/t to

My first posts

I first started posting on Tumblr in May 2007. I shared family stuff and links until I eventually started writing about writing. Usually, it was about trying to convince people to write. A lot of it is uncomfortable to read now—a little too cocky and unsympathetic to people's challenges.