Writing Skills Alex Keegan's the

Writing Skills Alex Keegan's "The Short and the Long of It" A Review for Beginning and Experienced Writers In his article, "The Short and the Long of it," novelist and short story writer Alex Keegan discusses the difference between writing novels and short stories, as well as the stereotypes that go along with those writings. Keegan begins by describing the popular notion that writers who write novels are more prestigious than writers who write short stories, or are at least better writers.

Then, he writes that he thought he would defy this trend by being the writer who could write only novels, not short stories. After having written a substantial amount of short stories, Keegan argues that writing occurs how and when it will -- that writers write essays, short stories, novels, plays, poetry, and the like because writers write! He states: Quite simply, these writers wrote. They were human beings who could develop characters, write dialogue, plot, investigate themes. There is no mystery, no dichotomy, no glass ceiling or wall.

The reason some writers write novels, some short-stories, some plays or screenplays is not because they can't write in the other expressions but because either they choose not too or think they cannot write X because they are Y (Keegan). Finally, Keegan goes on to conclude his piece with examples of writers who primarily wrote in one genre, but contributed beautiful pieces in another, like Shakespeare's plays and poetry.

Keegan's article, while definitely important to budding writers who are still trying to discover their craft, is also of immense importance to beginning writers for two reasons -- its identification of writing as both a craft and an art and its description of how writers create characters and descriptions. Since the first writers undertook expressing themselves with the pen, a debate has raged regarding whether writing is an art or a craft.

That is, can writing be taught? Or, is it a talent that one must be born with like the ability to sing and athletic ability. Like both musical and athletic ability, the gift of writing is both learned and inherent. This is the argument that Keegan gives, stating that it is both a craft and an art. He argues that "any reasonably intelligent person with a decent command of language and the discipline and dedication to do the work can be taught to produce passably crafted stories" (Keegan).

He also says these writers will also be able to obtain publication, even that publication is relatively minor. Still, the author goes on to say that "the higher levels," where craft becomes art…something extra [is] inherent in the life-spirit of the individual, the soul, the sensitivity, the desire to say something is required" (Keegan). Thus, like other abilities, having an inherent predisposition is beneficial; it might help the writer create great works, but every person can learn to write, and write well.

I found this description of particular importance for beginning writers and those who teach them. In many college and high school classrooms, writing is looked at as a chore and almost a punishment. Students do not want to write because it is boring or tedious to them. But most of all, students do not want to write because they are afraid that they cannot do it.

They have been given years worth of papers marked up in red where the teacher was trying to take their voices and make them her own. If teachers understand that writing can be learned by every individual, and that every individual has a voice, the teaching of writing will become a much more beneficial discipline. I am convinced that the problem occurs because those who have the inherent gift of writing often teach those who do not. Thus, the gifted writers expect their students to simply know how to write.

Instead, these are the writers who may need the most detailed instructions about crafting prose, creating characters, and composing poetry. If we all looked at writing as something that can be learned, but also comes naturally to others, we will better know how to address writers of all abilities and desires who come to the experienced writer to learn how to write. In addition to this important inclusion in Keegan's piece, the author also discusses how experienced writers create their writing.

He argues that all writers simply write, not because they are better at crafting one genre than another, but because one genre or the other just comes out when they put their pen on paper. Keegan describes writers as "human beings who could develop characters, write dialogue, plot, investigate themes" (Keegan). In this description of how writes come to write, Keegan makes an important point for both the experienced and the inexperienced writer -- writing is composed of steps or categories. Like anything else, good writing is composed of good.