The First Steps Towards Becoming A Writer
What are the first steps to becoming a writer? You’d think it’d be “write,” but it’s not the case. Speaking with other writers and reflecting on my own road to become a writer, I’ve discovered that the largest barrier for new writers is that they don’t consider themselves to be writers.
They struggle to believe in themselves as authors, despite the fact that it is something you must do. When you don’t have that conviction, it becomes a source of sabotage because you don’t value your job enough to give it the time and space it requires.
How did you come to think of yourself as a writer, especially since you don’t make a living as one? Here are some tips you can use:
When You Write, What Happens?
I’m assuming that if you want to be a writer, you believe you have something to say and a strong desire to communicate it. You may not know how or in what form you’ll communicate it (novel, essay, poetry, etc. ), but you know something is there.
So, you take up your pencil or pen, or you sit down at your computer or typewriter and begin writing. Something should be written. Whatever you write, make sure it’s from the heart. It doesn’t have to be flawless, and it certainly doesn’t have to be tidy. It is required to be expressive.
You must then, as unpleasant as it may be, show this letter to someone. It could be a family member or a friend. After that, pay attention to what occurs. Did the individual who read your work cry, laugh, or become enraged as a result of it? If that’s the case, congratulations! It implies that your writing can have an impact. It has some value. You must not give up!
A adolescent wrote to me lately, concerned because she’s creating fiction and is frightened that her mother would read it and be unhappy because she believes it’s true. On the one hand, having to explain yourself to your mother is inconvenient, but on the other, that shows the young lady’s job is credible and effective.
It’s difficult to dismiss such feedback. If you take the time to notice and honor it, it may be a tremendous motivator to keep you going. “I’m not sure if my stuff is any good,” a writer once told me. I just know that people would cry when they read it.”
That kind of answer, I told her, is the clearest message you can get. All she has to do now is listen.
Silence Should Be Cultivated
Spending some time each day in silence may help you think about what you want to say if you’re having difficulties figuring out what you want to say. Some writers say a prayer. Some people practice meditation.
The goal is to get in the habit of clearing your mind and listening to your inner voice. You’ll also be more aware of those stray specks of possibilities floating around in your thoughts that could blossom into major ideas later on.
What Do You Want to Write? You Need To Experiment!
It’s fine if you’re unsure about what to write about. It may take a long time for you to notice what keeps showing up in your journaling. It may also take longer to select the right form for you.
Before settling on fiction, I experimented with poetry, essays, and long-form letter writing. That took me years to accomplish. It doesn’t mean I won’t do something else in those genres in the future, but for now, what I’m doing seems right.
I recommend experimenting until you find the format that best suits your content.
Constantly Remind Yourself You Are a Writer
It’s good to set up reminders that will bounce you back to that brain space where you need to be to write as you develop your belief that you’re a writer. It’s easy to get distracted when you sit down to write and start thinking about the laundry or what’s for supper. Something to remind you to get back to work and that you are a writer should be on your desk or on the wall in front of you.
It might be your values list that serves as a reminder that writing is a part of who you are. It could be as basic as the words “create” or “inspire.” Mary Palladin, a lovely historical novelist, will sit in her office with ancient images of people that essentially symbolize her characters, so she will be surrounded by them. This returns her to the world of her novel because she is seated in their world, surrounded by these individuals.
What kind of universe do you need to exist in? As a writer, the road you take to get there will be one of many. I hope these suggestions may assist you in taking those first steps. It’s absolutely up to you what you write and where you go from here. Good luck on your journey.
