So you want to be a writer. That must be true otherwise you would never have clicked on this post. You’re looking for the secret sauce or the magic biscuit that will make you a writer. I can’t give you that because the secret to becoming a writer is inside you.
I know it sounds like one of those annoying stories where the hero goes through so much hardship and struggle only to learn that he had the magic key all along. Those stories are told over and over again for a reason.
This is how you become a writer. The information is not very secret.
First, you have to write. If you’re reading this article, I assume that you are already doing this. Why else would you be interested in being a writer? If you’re not writing start … TODAY.
Write every day. Don’t say that you don’t have enough time. Writers make time to write. Most people say that you should write at the same time every day to help writing become more of a habit. That’s a good idea, but if I’m perfectly honest with you, I don’t do that. I write at all times of the day. Occasionally, it’s twelve at night, and I’m writing. It just depends.
To tell you the truth, I don’t even write every day. My feeling about writing is that you should write more days than you are not writing. I usually don’t write on the weekends. If I’m feeling inspired, I will, of course, but most of the time I don’t.
When you’re starting out, it is best to make sure you write a certain number of words every day just to get into the habit of writing. You need to establish that. I’m sure there was a time when I did the same thing to establish myself as a writer, I’m just too old to remember it right now.
In the beginning, you’ll find that you don’t really know what your writing style is. You won’t have a voice. You’ll write a lot of different types of things in a lot of different styles. That’s good. It’s expected. The more you write, the easier it will become. You’ll find yourself in the words. Some little piece of you will peek out of everything you type. That’s your style. You won’t have it at first, none of us do. With time and effort, it will emerge.
If you have a hard time finding your style don’t worry. It will come.
Now that your writing on more days than you are not writing you’re a writer. It’s that simple.
The next step to becoming a writer is calling yourself a writer. You don’t have to go to school or get a special certificate. You need to put words, sentences, and paragraphs onto a piece of paper. That’s all. You’re a writer.
Say it out loud.
I’M A WRITER.
How does that make you feel? Do you feel like an imposter? You’re not the only one, I’ve been writing for ages, and sometimes I still do. That’s human. It’s natural. Ignore it.
Start saying it to people. Tell them that your writer. Normally, the conversation will go something like this:
What do you do?
I blah blah blah. (Explain your day job to them if you really feel you must, but don’t forget to add.) I also write.
What do you write?
Tell them what you write. Don’t give a one-word answer. That is the worst. You want people to be excited about your writing, but you have to be excited about it first.
Are you published?
If you’re reading this essay, you probably aren’t published, but that’s fine. Be honest, but optimistic. Here are some good answers to that question. Not yet, but I’m working on it. I will be soon. I’m just starting out, but I hope to be published in the near future.
This conversation goes better if you try to keep it positive even if you aren’t published. You don’t have to be published to be a writer.
A lot of times we try to hide behind roles, we pretend we’re this or that because it’s expected of us. A lot of the times we’re pretending to be something we don’t want to be. You don’t have to do that. Tell people what you really want. Tell them who you really are. Your life will be more rewarding if you do that.
You are a writer. Be one and tell everyone.