What is the first step in becoming a writer? You might think it would be "write", but it is not. When I talk to other writers and personally know about my journey as a writer, I have noticed that the biggest obstacle for new writers is that they do not consider themselves writers. They have a hard time developing the belief that they are writers but that is something you have to do. If you have not developed that belief, that belief, it is a source of destruction - you do not value your work enough to give it the time and space you need. How do you come to think of yourself as a writer, especially if you do not earn a check as a writer? Here are a few tips:
What Happens When You Write?
If you want to be a writer, I think you have a feeling you have something to say and you have a strong desire to say it. You may not know how to say it in any situation (poems, novels, stories, etc.) but you know something is up. Okay, take your pencil or pen or sit down at your computer or typewriter. Write something. Whatever you write, make sure your heart is in it. It doesn't have to be perfect, it doesn't have to be beautiful. It should be clear.
Next, no matter how painful, you should show this text to someone else. It could be a friend, it could be a family member. Then, notice what happened. Did the person reading your work cry, laugh, or get angry? If so, you did it! It means you can influence your writing. It deserves something. You have to move on!
A teenager recently wrote to me worried because she was writing stories and was worried that her mother would read it and get upset because she thought it was really young people doing things. On the one hand, that's hard work to explain to your mom, but on the other hand – wow, that means the young lady's work is credible and effective. That kind of response is hard to ignore. It is a powerful motivation to keep going - if you take the time to recognize and respect that it is possible. I once had a writer say to me, “I do not know if my things are right. I just know that when people read it, they cry. ” I told her you can't get a clear message beyond that kind of response. Now he just has to listen.
Cultivate Peace
If you have trouble deciding what to say, it might help to take some time each day to be quiet. Some writers pray. Some are meditating. The idea is to practice clearing your brain space and listening to your inner voice. You will also notice small bumps on your head that may grow into larger ideas.
What Do You Want to Write? Try it!
It's okay if you don't know what you want to write about. It may take longer to write to see what it has to offer. And it may take longer to find a form that suits you best. I moved from poetry to news and to writing long books before settling into myths. It took me years to do that. It doesn't mean I can't do anything about those types, but what I'm doing right now is consistent. I encourage you to try until you find the most appropriate form for your writing.
Remind Yourself You Are a Writer
As you develop your belief that you are a writer, it helps to set reminders that will run you back to that brain space you need to be in to write. When you sit down to write it is easy to get distracted and start thinking about doing laundry or anything for dinner. You will want to have something on your desk or wall in front of you that reminds you that you are back at work and that you are a writer.
It may be your price list that reminds you that writing is part of who you are. It could be simple words like CREATE or INSPIRE. Isabel Allende, a beautiful, historical novelist will sit in her office with pictures of her, old pictures of people representing her characters to be surrounded by them. That puts him back in the brain space of his book because he lives in their world; these people are all around him.
What world do you need to be in? The journey you take to get there will be one of many you will take as a writer. I hope these ideas will help you take those first steps. What you write — and where you go from here — is entirely up to you. She went well.
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