Are You Still Sitting on the Fence About Becoming a Serious Writer?

Many years ago, I wrote about how I was inspired to become a writer, because of a particular book: The Courage to Write.

Please enjoy what I originally shared and feel free to comment on your own inspiration, either for your overall career as a writer, or simply for your inspiration when it comes to writing on Vocal or other platforms.

My Drive and Determination to Write

Whenever I’m asked or reminded about how I became a writer, my mind instantly goes to Ralph Keyes, my first writer friend. Of course, I never had the pleasure of actually meeting Mr. Keyes, but when I began reading his book so many decades ago, I got to know him pretty well. In fact, it was him and his book that helped me realize I wasn’t completely in sane.

At the time, I already had an inkling of an idea that I might want to be a writer, and I’d been testing the waters and actually started writing what turned out to be a novella.

When I submitted the manuscript to a New York editor as a novel, I was told (among other things) that it was too short for a novel. They also laid out their list of prerequisites for “leading male” characters in the romance novels they accepted; of which mine didn’t make the cut. Anyway, by the time I recovered from that whole ordeal, I was feeling kind of bummed about writing, not to mention I found myself battling self-defeating attitudes about my capabilities, and about my “stick-to-it-ness.”

Then, there were other fears, like the fear of being too real in your writing, in case you accidentally manage to expose yourself and your true feelings to the world.

These were the kinds of mind crippling thoughts that I was having, with respect to my writing, that is, right up until I read “The Courage to Write.” Can you imagine my surprise when I read things that sounded like Ralph had actually plucked them right out of my own thoughts.

The whole book was like I had spilled my guts about every single challenge to my writing, both mentally and otherwise. The book even talked about a lot of the ridiculous rituals that we writers go through before we finally settle in for a session of writing. There were lots of quirky, even laughable routines quoted in the book from other writers.

That’s another thing that was so inspiring to me, the many personal comments and experiences of other writers who were quoted in the book. They all sounded like me, with the same woes and worries about writing. Prior to reading this book, I thought I was losing my mind with all the high “Hi’s” and the low “Lows” you experience from writing. My insane rituals, routines and occasional meltdowns didn’t mean that I was really crazy, it all meant that I was really a writer!

What Others Had to Say about "The Courage to Write”

Notice the following description and a few words that others had to say about this motivational book.

BOOK DESCRIPTION: The Courage to Write is an invaluable book and essential reading for anyone who wishes to learn how to write well.

Book Genre: Publishing & Books, Authorship

Katherine Anne Porter called courage “the first essential” for a writer.

“I have to talk myself into bravery with every sentence,” agreed Cynthia Ozick, “sometimes every syllable.” E. B. White said he admired anyone who “has the guts to write anything at all.” An author who has taught writing for more than thirty years.

In The Courage to Write, Ralph Keyes, an author who has taught writing for more than thirty years, assures us that anxiety is felt by writers at every level, especially when they dare to do their best. He describes the sequence of “courage points” through which all writers must pass, from the challenge of identifying a worthwhile project to the mixture of pride and panic they feel when examining a newly published book or article.

Keyes also offers specifics on how to root out dread of public “performance” and of the judgment of family and friends, make the best use of writers’ workshops and conferences, and handle criticism of works in progress. Throughout, he includes the comments of many accomplished writers — Pat Conroy, Amy Tan, Rita Dove, Isabel Allende, and others — on how they transcended their own fears to produce great works.

Final Thoughts

Personally speaking, this book provided me with the kind of inspiration that I didn’t even know I was lacking. It helped me understand my writing self much better, and above all, showed me that even though writing is a solitary activity, in the writing community, you’re never alone.

Even now, many years later, whenever I find myself getting discouraged about my writing from time to time, I pull out my copy and read certain passages of this book again. It helps to remind me that as long as I'm still writing, I'm doing okay.

To check out this worthwhile publication, you can pick up a copy on Amazon: [Affiliate Book Link]