I’ve always had a passion for stories, and I’ve wanted to write my own since I was in the seventh grade. But it wasn’t until I got to college that I realized I also had a passion for the way stories are put together – the craft of writing, and especially the structure that makes stories work. There, I majored in Journalism and had the good fortune to study with some brilliant writers, one of whom, Jon Franklin, focused my attention on the structure that lies under every great piece of fiction.
When I got out of school, I began freelancing and doing some writing teaching. I found out that even people who have to write for school or work can use a system that teaches them how to build a piece of writing from the ground up. I built on the system I’d learned in school to make it comprehensible for “non-writers.” Eventually I taught the system to high school students, college students, even accountants. And that’s what ultimately became my book.
Interview with Adina Rishe Gewirtz:
It’s rare today to find an author who does nothing but write for a living. Do you have a ‘real’ job other than writing, and if so, what is it? What are some other jobs you’ve had in your life?’
Adina Rishe Gewirtz: For many years I freelanced, working for newspapers and magazines. Then I moved into teaching writing more consistently. Now I do editing, writing, and I work as a writing coach, helping people one on one or in groups figure out what’s wrong with a piece of writing, and how to fix it.
What compelled you to write your first book?
Adina Rishe Gewirtz: Compel is a good word for it. I’ve always wanted to write fiction and narrative nonfiction, and I never thought my first book would be a how-to on business writing! But I’ve been teaching for years, often to high school students in one-on-one tutoring sessions, and my husband has been listening to me teach for years. At some point, he began lobbying for a book. He said my way of teaching writing was unique, and I should share it. I resisted for a long time. I looked at all the writing books on the market and didn’t think I could add anything. Then I read some of them, and realized that a book that teaches structure – and one that does it in a funny, easy-to-read way – could get published. And it did! Prentice Hall, a division of Penguin, published it last October.
Have you always wanted to be a writer?
Adina Rishe Gewirtz: I’ve wanted to be a writer since seventh grade, when I read To Kill A Mockingbird for the first time. I never expected my first book to be about writing, but it’s the number one subject I enjoy talking about, so I guess it’s only natural that things fell out this way.
Tell us a little bit about your book/s.
Adina Rishe Gewirtz: My book, How to Say It: Business Writing That Works is a how-to for non-writers who don’t generally even like to read about writing, much less do it. But it’s written in such a straightforward way – using funny examples – that readers have told me for the first time they didn’t mind learning about business writing. And the system gives them a way to write anything, from a memo to a full-length marketing proposal, without tearing their hair out.
Are you currently working on any writing projects our readers should watch for release soon?
Adina Rishe Gewirtz: Yes, I’ve got another writing book in the works – this one for students.
Is there anyone you’d like to specifically acknowledge who has inspired, motivated, encouraged or supported your writing?
Adina Rishe Gewirtz: There are several people who have inspired and supported me. My professors in college really gave me my craft. Jon Franklin and Judith Paterson, both incredible writers, continue to inspire me, as does another professor, Car Stepp. I have a wonderful friend, Katie McCabe, an award-winning writer who I talk to many times a day, comparing notes and sharing thoughts. And then there’s my family. My father always supported my dream of being a writer. My mother made it possible by babysitting, helping me when I had small children (and now) and giving me the time to pursue my career. And my husband – he’s the one who made me write my book, even when I doubted myself.
Have you ever had a character take over a story and move it in a different direction than you had originally intended? How did you handle it?
Adina Rishe Gewirtz: Although my How to Say It book doesn’t have characters in the same way as a novel does, the “character” in it is the voice in which I wrote it. And that voice did take over and drove the writing of the book. Until the first line of the book popped into my head, I didn’t realize that writing about memos, reports and proposals could be really funny!
Now, anything else you want your readers to know?
I love talking about writing, writing about writing, and helping people “fix” their writing problems. So if readers want to email me directly with questions, they can do so through my website, www.writersroadmap.com, or take a look at my blog,
www.thewritersroadmap.blogspot.com.
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