Welcome Guest Blogger Debra Ullrick

How do I learn, let me count the ways.

My whole life I felt inadequate when it came to learning. I didn’t understand how someone could pick up an instruction manual and follow the step-by-step directions so easily when I, on the other hand, would struggle for hours until I’d finally concede defeat and have hubby deal with it. Well, hubby can’t figure out writing because it’s not his forte. Therefore, the lot fell onto me. And I’m so glad it did because I love to write! But I still had the problem of how to comprehend all that writing lingo. You know… like active vs. passive, show don’t tell, and head hopping. What in the tahooties was head hopping? The only way to find out, I decided, was to buy a how-to writing book. Well, hundreds of dollars and fifty-plus how-to writing books later, I still didn’t get it. Couldn’t comprehend what the books were saying. I felt stupid and inept. Had no clue what to do or how to grasp what those books or other writers were trying to teach me.

Then one day, while doing dishes, I was listening to a tape. The woman said her son felt like a failure because he couldn’t comprehend or do things as well or like her other son was able to. Boy, howdy, could I ever relate! To make a long story short, she discovered her son was doing poorly because he was a hands-on learner rather than a visual learner like her other son. She ascertained the best way for him to learn was not by telling him how things were done but by showing him and letting him do them. After that, he found his niche and excelled at it.

Hearing that sure gave me hope. All I had to do was figure out which type of learner I was: visual or hands-on. Only problem was, once again, I was faced with a dilemma of wondering what the difference was between a visual learner and a hands-on learner. Tada! Didn’t take long. A visual learner sees something and they get it, whereas a hands-on learner has to do it before they get it. Whoo hoo! Epiphany moment. All my problems would be solved if I just joined a critique group so I could have them help me hands-on. So, I did. Needless to say, all that succeeded in doing was confusing me because there were too many opinions and, as a new writer, I didn’t know who to listen to. Who was right? What the truth was. So, the end result was lots of tears, frustration, confusion, and a readiness to stop writing. Please note that I am not criticizing critique groups. We are talking about how we learn and how everyone learns differently. For some people, a critique group is a ginormous help. For me, it wasn’t. But that still left me wondering what my answer was to learning to write well. If how-to books and critique groups weren’t helping, what was left for me? Enter a famous male author who had my answer. He told me, “If you find a person who understands your writing style and voice, and doesn’t try to change them, hang onto them. They are worth their weight in gold.” He went on to say how he had found that person and what a huge difference it made for him.


Well, I have found just such a person, too. Make that, the Lord did. He placed author Staci Stallings into my path in the most unique, embarrassing, ginormous blunder way ever. Too long a story to share here. But I will say this much… make sure the person whose MS you are critiquing is the right one and not someone who is sharing their book, two chapters at a time, for free. Thankfully, Staci’s a person who listens to God. When she received my bathed-in-red critique, God told her not to react in haste. That things weren’t as they appeared. I’m so glad she heeded His warning. Because of that, not only have we become the best of friends, but she’s also my mentor and teacher. And a fabulous one at that. She doesn’t try to change my voice or style while she is teaching me hands-on, by example, and by endless repetition.

We all have our own unique way of learning. Discover yours and what works best for you when it comes to writing. Ask yourself if you are a hands-on learner, a visual learner, or perhaps you may even be an auditory learner if you learn by hearing things. Once you discover your style, it makes all the difference in the world in your writing journey.
And, if at all possible, find someone or join a critique group, if that works for you, who understands your voice and your style and who doesn’t try to change them. Someone you trust and with whom you are comfortable.

Leave a comment to get your name in a drawing for one of TWO copies of Debra's May LIH release Unexpected Bride.

Find Deb online at her website: http://www.debraullrick.com/
And her blog: http://christianromancewriter.blogspot.com/