PERSPECTIVE

Do This if You Want To Become a Writer

Do you wonder if you have a story inside of you? Do you dream of being a writer? Are you afraid to try?

If you dream of being a writer but are afraid to try, do it anyway! Chances are that you will be an awful writer in the beginning. Do not let that stop you. Awful is where you start and what you go through on your way to competence. Before you get to good you need experience.

Just like being a teenager.

I regularly feel awkward, unsure, and downright stupid about my writing. It reminds me so much of adolescence. It took a lot of practice for me to pull together what I learned as a child and in those early years of adulthood to become a woman.

The same goes for writing.

Some people do have a talent that is intimidating but even they work at writing because good writing is work.

I say that with loads of affection. In the last year, I have come to respect journalists 1000% more. The skill and training involved in being able to interview, research, and create an article that is grammatically solid is amazing. Many of them do this on the fly. My hat is off to journalists.

The act of writing is the act of creation. Putting the ephemera into words and bringing an idea into physical form is powerful stuff, especially when you learn to do it well.

Admittedly, there is a vulnerability in creation.

But, oh! It does pay off if you push through your fear! When you see where you need to improve — do it and keep going! It’s exhilarating to work this way!

You grow when you learn something new. There is SO much to learn about writing. Learning is humbling, yes, but also loads of fun!

I think of words, of language, as I think of a chicken egg. Seemingly innocuous and every day, the list of things that have been created using a chicken egg is impressive. Eggs, or some portion of them, have been used to make paints, vaccines, jewels (like Faberge eggs), or something more familiar like a meal.

Do not be afraid to break a few eggs! Or to burn them. Or to eat a few pieces of shell.

It’s not a big deal if your work is bad. Many people stink as writers and are doing it successfully! Focus your attention on producing and improving your work.

Writing is technical but it is also subjective. Not everyone is going to like what you write. That shouldn’t stop you.

For me, writing has been a journey of discovery. I have had to ask myself what kind of writing I most want to do because the options are limitless. If you want to make money you can learn to write content for about a bazillion platforms, or there is blogging, storytelling like novels, journalism, poetry, and the list goes on.

In addition to the myriad types of writing to choose from you learn about grammar, titles, SEO, and…and…and…

So much more.

Don’t be afraid to suck. Don’t be afraid to fail. Be afraid of NEVER TRYING!

If you want to become a writer — write!

I realize that all of this has been said before but it needs to said again. If you dream of doing this thing called writing, jump in! The beauty of words is that you can keep arranging them until you like what you have written.

Then you get to start over and write something new.

I recommend that you start writing today. There is no reason to wait. You get better when you do the work, and not before.

That story inside of you is there. It might take some time and effort to find it but it is there. Keep at it! Only you can bring that story to life.

Why not check out one of my favorite authors here on Medium? Penny Grubb, Hayden Moore, and Ellie Jacobson will inspire and entertain.

Use this link to sign up for a Medium Membership and I will get a portion of your membership fee. This helps support me and it will give you unlimited access to stories written by other talented writers here on Medium.

Subscribe to my newsletter to be notified when I publish a new article at no charge.

Thank you!