By Alex Berger
In Armenian folklore, there is a story about three apples that had fallen from heaven. The first one was for the teller of a story, the second one was for the listener and the last one was for the one who took it to heart.Nowhere is there an apple for the one who created the story. How indicative. Many times, the professional writer is the last one to be credited. In Hollywood, have you noticed that it is the movie stars reciting their words and not the slighted film writers who receive the biggest splash and the higher salaries?Despite being overlooked, writing is still a wonderful avocation. It is a creative endeavor, an outlet for emotion, a sounding board for getting things off your chest and, for me, it is fun. I enjoy being a writer.I became one when I attended college. In my freshman year, my English professor stressed the importance of brevity in writing. He cited Ernest Hemingway, who once was challenged to write a poignant story in only six words. He wrote: “For sale: Baby shoes, never used.”The professor then challenged the class to do the same. I wrote: “Big game. Big fumble. Giants lost.” He congratulated me and challenged me to compose a more cheerful story. I wrote, “Big game. Big fumble. Giants won!” The professor smiled and said I definitely am a writer.However, writing is not all sunshine, wine and roses. In addition to the delights, there are many down moments. Writers' block, computer malfunction, other major responsibilities and rejections are just a few of the headaches.I am aware not everyone will be a successful writer. But how would a person know that without first trying his hand at writing? Many letters are sent to me from young adults and seniors who yearn to be writers. I applaud them and emphasize the pleasure they will derive by writing if they devote the time, patience, and discipline to it. Rejection letters may mount up, but they must keep writing, if only for themselves.Why should only a few people have the opportunity to make use of the exquisite gift of language endowed in every human being? It will not be a crime if their writings do not make it to the bookstore shelves. It still is an exhilarating experience to try reaching their full creativeness via the written word.Have you watched a cable-TV talk show recently? Nearly every guest interviewed is pushing a book they wrote. Why not you? Everyone has a story to tell – an unusual incident, a poignant remembrance, family history, etc. It would be very sad indeed, if they kept that personal tale forever hidden inside of them. Choose the subject, and begin. The mere act of turning your computer on, or putting pen to paper, will start you off.One such person who heeded the call to write, is Barbara Arnstein of Whitestone. Born in Manhattan, she moved to Queens as a young child. At the age of 10, while a student at PS 21 in Flushing, she began by drawing cartoons for Scholastic Magazine. Then, on to JHS 185 and Windsor High School in Flushing and Queens College, where she received her B.A. and master's degrees in English and education. Following graduation, Barbara finally sharpened her pencil and began to write seriously.Her ambition was to achieve many self-set goals. She wanted to be a columnist in a national magazine, and she became one by writing a humor column, “Just For Laughs,” and five columns about heroes of World War II, for the national magazine, “Gallery.”Barbara wanted to be a restaurant reviewer and she became one, writing for a Queens publication for several years. She wanted to be a prize-winner for writing and she became one, where she was awarded one of the top prizes in a national short story contest. And, Barbara wanted her contribution, “Writing My Own Script” (describing how she wrote and sold an autobiographical play) to be included in the anthology, “Chocolates for the Lover's Heart,” published by Simon and Schuster. And it was.In addition, Barbara interviewed many famous celebrities – including fantasy authors Ray Bradley and Harlan Ellison, choreographers Paul Taylor and Edward Villella, the actors behind the Simpsons, and the artists who drew the Spiderman comic books. She also accompanied then-Mayor David Dinkins on an official one-week tour of Queens, and reported on the 1992 Democratic Convention.And that was not all. Barbara also sold cartoon captions, comedy routines, a humor book, “What's Your Excuse?” a book about cats and exhibited many of her photographs in galleries. In between, Barbara taught in Townsend Harris and Forest Hills High Schools and, believe it or not, she married an editor.As a writer, Barbara recalled a five-word story she wrote in college – “Always tell me something new.” She certainly has the right stuff for writing!Writers, I pass on these two truths:1. A professional writer is an amateur who didn't quit.2. “Tell me a fact and I will learn; tell me the truth and I will believe; tell me a story and it will live in my heart forever.”Now, get busy, writers. Today is a good time to write.Reach columnist Alex Berger at timesledger.com or call 718-229-0300, Ext. 138.
