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So You Want to Write?

A short article about what it truly takes to begin your journey as a writer.

By Kevin B. JonesPublished about a year ago 3 min read
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So You Want to Write?
Photo by Aaron Burden on Unsplash

Let’s face it: you want to be a writer. There’s something inside, present like the beat of your heart, that seems to knag at you saying, “I wonder what would happen if ...” or, “What would it be like if I write about ...”

Sound familiar?

For those that want to scream, “Yes!” stick around. And for the others who are curious or maybe have once upon a time considered writing, also stick around because you need to hear this. Seriously.

Let’s think about what writing is. According to Martin Luther, he said, “If you want to change the world, pick up your pen and write.” Pencil, pen, computer ... whatever it is, writing is all about the act of writing. You can’t become an esteemed author with a fanbase that stretches around the curves of the globe if you can’t write! The Greek philosopher, Epictetus spoke it himself, “If you wish to be a writer, write.” It doesn’t get any simpler than that. Writing is, in its simplest form, putting words on a medium, such as paper or Microsoft Word. So, start with that. Just write!

Now that you’ve got the idea of actually writing through your head, don’t worry about what you write at first. Instantly having the ability to put together an amazing novel that has its readers hungry for more is unrealistic. I’m sorry but it’s true -- you’re not there yet, but don’t fret! Like all experts, once upon a time they too were a beginner. I know it’s hard to imagine Stephen King or Sara J. Maas at a point in their lives where their writing was utter crap, but it’s true. At first, you’re not going to be great. Even with practice, you still may not be that grand and that’s fine. What’s important is for you to realize that it’s part of the process. Sucking is temporary, no matter how frustrating it may feel. What separates winners from losers is the acknowledgement and understanding of this aspect. So, just relax and write! Whether it’s an entry about your day, a poem about the weather, or a short story, write it, and enjoy it.

A question you may be pondering is When should I write? or How often should I try to write? There’s no set in a stone answer. However, what is important is consistency. Like I’ve already mentioned, you must practice. Waking up one day and suddenly becoming a John Green or H.G. Wells isn’t how life works. NFL players aren’t made over night. Tracks stars who participate in the Olympics didn’t become Olympic-worthy with just one week of productivity. Which is why, if you’re serious about becoming a writer, you need to have expectations – a schedule that you can use continuously. For many authors, morning time is the best time. Steven Kotler, author of titles such as “Becoming Superman” and “The Future is Faster Than You Think” said it himself: “Go from bed to desk before my brain even kicks out of its Alpha wave state.” Even Ernest Hemingway was an earlier rise, eager to set the day off with a pencil in his hand. “I write every morning as soon after first light as possible.” All in all, find a time to write. Whether it’s from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. or fifteen minutes in the morning, after lunch, and then right before you go bed, find it. Once you do, let the world fade away. Pretend as if this time is intimate – something that’s arcane and cherishable. Turn the phone off, forget about the chores, write what’s on your mind and jot down ideas for that thing, that deepening well of creativity, that always nudges you to make it a tangible piece.

So, to answer the question, “What would happen if ...” or, “What would happen if I wrote about ...” will only be possible if you write. Not writing means not improving, not swimming through the murky waters of uncertainty about how comfortable you are with creating sentences. Stop making excuses; stop being lazy. Allow those amazing ideas to sprout on paper and give yourself time to become great. Find that schedule that’s right for you and stick to it. Be consistent, understand that sucking is temporary, and write! After that, write some more and look for ways to get better. Only then will the world hear what you have to say. And if they do, I promise it’ll stick. Everything has a beginning – even greatness. When will you begin? Now, it’s on you ... so write.

advice
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About the Creator

Kevin B. Jones

I love fiction. Writing is my passion, without a doubt

Currently, I strive to create short stories mainly in the horror genre

I'm also pursuing my BA in creative writing and one day hope to share my stories with the world

Life's too short ...

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