The Top 10 Signs You’re Really Cut Out to Be a Writer
Whether a burning desire or flight of fancy, writing takes courage
It’s usually on the list of most people’s dream occupation — being a writer. There seems to be something mystical, even esoteric about the profession.
Why?
Maybe it’s the fantasized notion of creating unique masterpieces, or being able to write on an independent schedule — without a boss or supervisor — and having the freedom to take a day off whenever the mood strikes.
And while writing is a noble and rewarding endeavor, the truth is many may not have a true calling. Or patience.
It takes more than a naive interest to sit down and express your thoughts to the world. It takes courage. A writer is on a constant journey — often without a road map or compass. Sometimes it means expressing an unpopular opinion or asking unanswerable questions — either of which can result in ridicule, insults, and undeserved criticism.
In some cases, a controversial article or post can become the equivalent of throwing down the gauntlet of challenge.
So, How Do You Know if You’re Cut Out to Be a Professional Writer?
Surely there must be clues to help distinguish between a muse urging us to bring pen to paper, and a flight of fancy that eventually makes us wonder why we ever quit our day job.
Here are ten clues that may help answer the question. “You might be a writer if …”
1. You Get Truly, Deeply Enthusiastic About Writing
Your excitement level about creating something unique and captivating is so visible, your friends roll their eyes.
2. You Wake Up at Night With Ideas, Phrases, and Storylines
The words break through your dreams, keeping you awake for hours while you structure an outline or plot in your brain.
3. You Keep a Pad and Pen by Your Bedside to Remember All the Stuff You Thought of While Lying Awake
There’s no chance you’ll let yourself forget all the juicy bits, because you know that, even with a great memory, the details can disappear into the shadows of a hazy dream.
4. You Often Pause Mid-Sentence During a Conversation to Make a Note
Normal chit-chat comes to a halt when a word or concept pops into your brain — and once again you’re totally oblivious to the fact you’ve dismissed social courtesy to get the thought down on paper.
Because that’s more important.
5. You Put Your Phone on Mute so You Can Write
With great effort, you’ve managed to wean yourself from the constant “on-call” siren of your phone, because you discovered how distracting all that external noise can be to a mind with a mission.
6. You Don’t Publish a First Draft — Ever
There’s a reason they’re called “first drafts.” It’s a starting point — a beginning — a collection of words to be coddled and nurtured to perfection. Granted, there are a lot of great “firsts” in life, but you’re not on a date.
7. You Don’t Question Your Initial Thoughts, and You Always Question Your Final Ones
This can be tough because, as writers, we’re always re-evaluating our work, even as we see them appear in their final form on the page. But if we consider a work-in-progress as “free-wheeling brainstorming,” we give our minds permission to get it all out and work through the nuances later.
8. You Edit the Piece and Save All the Parts You Cut — Just in Case
Many times an initial article concept can evolve into several pieces of work. During the initial “download” of thoughts and ideas, many different aspects and perspectives are pouring onto the page. You know it’s important to keep it all — everything.
And after making the final cuts, you save all the unused material in a file labeled, “great ideas for another time.”
9. You Hesitate to Push the Publish Button and, Instead, Review Your Work for the Fifth Time
Or the sixth or seventh — as many times as it takes to ease your apprehension about whether the piece is “good enough.”
10. You Finally Press Publish
And feel a surge of excitement and accomplishment about sharing your work with the world!
