The Journey to Becoming a Writer: Recognizing Your Craft

Identifying as a Writer

Is it a particular look or scent that marks you as a writer? Is it the worn-out jeans you've been wearing for weeks, or perhaps the turtleneck and the faint smell of mothballs? In my opinion, if you can sell your ideas and earn money from your writing, then you can confidently call yourself a writer. If you spend your days writing but never sell anything, then you're someone who writes. So, in essence, you write until you become a writer.

The Path to Becoming a Writer

To become a writer, you must write every day. Think of a dozen or so topics and write about them. This practice will help you discover your unique style and hone your skills. If you're someone who writes but doesn't yet identify as a writer, set a goal for yourself: Write until you sell something. Once you've made a sale, use the money to pay your gas bill. Now, you're a writer! But don't stop there; keep writing.

The Art of Writing

Writing is not a spontaneous act; it requires effort and dedication. When you have an idea, you must research it to determine its feasibility. If it seems promising, you must research it further to become knowledgeable or even an expert on the topic. Even as a technical writer, you must feel the writing. As I've mentioned in a previous article, "Natural Writing," you must understand your verbal style to become comfortable with your written style. Once you've found your style, stick with it. Let it evolve, but stay true to it to ensure your writing feels good and flows naturally.

The Impact of Your Writing

Most people won't know about you unless you write. Become a prolific writer and write for the sake of writing. The more you write, the better you become, the more you publish, and the more people will read your work. One of the biggest obstacles for a writer is fear. Don't be afraid to share your work. Accept all feedback, positive or negative, graciously.

The Essence of Being a Writer

Being a writer is not just about putting words on paper. It involves research, organization, thought, creative wordplay, and the ability to sit still long enough to put it all together. Writing is the evolution of ideas into something between fact and fiction. It's the transformation of presentation into something coherent to the largest audience. It's a fantasy that becomes reality once you figure out what you're trying to say.

The Motivation to Write

There are countless reasons to write, but you don't need a reason if you love it. It takes just one situation to get you started in the addictive world of writing. For me, it was a moment of frustration that led me to write a manuscript, which was later picked up by a publisher. That was the beginning of my writing journey.

The Joy of Writing

I no longer write on bathroom walls, but I do carry around a palmtop in case an idea strikes. Write as much as you can, as often as you can. Once you get the hang of it, writing becomes an addiction. Write because you can share an idea with the world. Write because you can earn money from it. Write so that the next time someone asks what you do, you can confidently say, "I'm a writer!