Should I write? - Writers Forum

cj68 · 07-09-2006, 01:02 PM

Hello all. New to the board.

I'm 28 years old. I've been an avid reader all my life. When i was younger i used to do a lot of writing, but as life got more complicated i largely stopped writing. However, in the back of my mind, I always keep telling myself that i want to be a writer someday. The thought of being able to create a fantasy world has always been paramount in my mind.

Part of the problem is the negative things I tell myself. The fact that i have never taken a writing course. Didn't go to university and take english courses, but rather, got an accounting degree. Have to work to make a living, which doesn't leave a lot of time for writing. The fact that i have not done a lot of writing at all in the last 12 years. I honestly have no idea if i am or could be a skilled writer. Huge time investment. I never finish anything in my life (lol, i think i've STARTED at least 30 novels in my life). I seem too scared or unmotivated to do much more than outline ideas for a novel, never start writing scenes though.

I absolutely love reading. And during and after i read a book, i always say to myself, "it's time to become an author", but it never happens.

I see becoming an author as sometihng to do as a career. Something that will take up a lot of time and energy, and something that should not be done half heartedly.

So should i continue to live my life always thinking about becoming an author, but thinking about it as something that is unrealistic? or should i somehow figure out a way to write a novel, and if so, how do i go about doing that?

valeca · 07-09-2006, 01:45 PM

First, if you enjoy writing, then write.

Second, don't look at it as a career move as there are very few writers who don't have to hold down a 9-5 job and do their writing on the side.

Third, put the idea of writing the next best seller aside and start with a more realistic goal for yourself. Write a few short shories, work on developing your writing skills, then submit a few of them to magazines and see if you get a nibble. Repeat this process as many times as it takes.

After that you can start looking at the bigger projects like writing a novel. Baby steps. Like anything else, becomming an author is a process. It rarely, if ever, happens overnight. Sadly, many people try sprinting for the finish line only to be sorely disappointed or discouraged by the amount of actual work it takes to make it in a very competative industry.

Good luck with it, and I hope you'll continue with writing...even if it's just for yourself.

Glfralin · 07-09-2006, 02:55 PM

You have been writing much more than you realize over the years if you think about it. You have likely writen technical letters, memo's, even told your kids, if you have them a story off the top of your head once or twice. If you looking for the mechanics, you cannot have gone through college without at least some composition courses. This is also a great place to learn as you go.

As far as jobs, almost all writers that I've communicated with have to work a JOB to put food on the table. There are not that many Steven Kings out there. So start with focusing on a topic, get on your computer, or a pencil and paper, then just start off on the topic, don't think, just let your fingers do it for you. You may come up with several story ideas. Truth can be turned to fiction, fantasy, and dramatized. Give it a shot.

Answer: Yes, write.

cacafire · 07-09-2006, 02:57 PM

I'm sorry to tell you this, if you let yourself be stopped by excuses, then you'll never be a writer. There's thousands of wannabees out there, but you have to be something different?! Shut up and stop complaining. Stick with your accounting job, that is, unless you have the guts to write.

-Cacafire

mwd · 07-09-2006, 03:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cj68

So should i continue to live my life always thinking about becoming an author, but thinking about it as something that is unrealistic? or should i somehow figure out a way to write a novel, and if so, how do i go about doing that?

How you write a novel is you string letters into words, words into sentences, sentences into paragraphs, paragraphs into scenes, and so forth. It really is that simple.

At the end of the day, it's possible you will never make any money from this. Even if you do make money writing, it's almost a certainty (unless you become like Tom Clancy or something) that it will be less than what you currently make at your regular job.

So at the end of the day, I think you should write if and only if you love the act of writing itself. Don't do it for money or fame or recognition, because there's a good chance you won't get any.

FrankBlissett · 07-09-2006, 04:20 PM

CJ,

Answer one question for me - what is you goal? What do you currently want to accomplish as a writer?

The closest I can see is that you want to "create a fantasy world". IS this your goal, or simply an example?

You also mentioned the idea of "becoming an author as sometihng to do as a career" - which would you say is more important to you? If you had to chose between making a fantasy world that few ever experience VS (say) being an accomplished ghostwriter and not chosing your projects, which would you chose?

Of course, it's entirely possible to have it both ways. That's more the exception than the rule though.

My advice is to start not with novels, but with short fiction. It's easier to market to 'zines and can more easily be fit into a busy schedule. It would also greatly decrease your risk - you're not pinning everything on one work.

-Frank

Mike C · 07-09-2006, 04:25 PM

I've never taken a writing course (although I've taught a few). I've never been to university. I have to work to earn a living. Writing is not, and probably never will be, a full-time career for me.

On the other hand, I've had quite a body of work published, I've edited a prestige lit-mag and have (with 3 talented colleagues) just launched another.

If you put obstacles in your way, they will trip you up. Got to work? Get up an hour or two earlier to write, or do it after everyone's gone to bed, or in your lunch break.

Being taught how to write, whether at university or a writing course, or whatever, will not make you a better writer. It will just make you write a little better. It will improve the mechanics, buit writing is about imagination, wit, and a flair for words. Those things can't be taught. If you have those, you have all the tools necessary to be a writer. If you don't, there's not a university in the world that can give them to you.

Bottom line is, you either write, or you spend the rest of your life telling everyone how you could have been a writer, maybe.

Glfralin · 07-09-2006, 04:27 PM

I'm sorry caca, but this is caca. We've all been scared, we've all made our excuses. I'm sorry, but I think in this instance you are being very personal in your judgement of cj. By the way, I am not judging you here, just your response.

Ruben · 07-09-2006, 04:31 PM

Hell, caca tells it like it is.

Just

Write

mammamaia · 07-09-2006, 05:51 PM

i also took no writing courses [other than a couple of quickies for structure of lyrics and teleplays] or went to college... and i didn't start writing seriously till in my 40s, since i was a wife and mother [of 7] from 19 on... then, at 43, i decided i 'had to' see if i could be a writer and started a novel...

a year later, clients of my writing consultant business were paying up to $150/hr for me to write anything that took words for them and/or teach them how to write better, in between writing all my own stuff [screenplay/lyrics/stage play/novels/non-fiction books/articles/essays/poems/columns/ad copy/etc.]

over the next few years, a fairly steady stream of clients helped pay the mortgage, plus i had a wealth of work published in [paying] magazines and newspapers, and even found an agent who believed passionately in my ability and my work, who was confident he could sell the first novel and my screenplay...

so don't give me any guff about being too old to start or not having an english degree... how do you start?... sit yourself down and write!...

one of my own 'greatest lines' applies here: 'nothing's impossible until you quit and nothing's possible unless you start'...

love and hugs, maia

Kimba · 07-09-2006, 07:23 PM

I've never taken any writing courses either. I tend to write from my experience but, because I love what I write so much, I have little trouble actually getting started. I have to admit though, that being a perfectionist, I feel that I have to have everything worked out before I put a single word down on the paper. Of course, what I end up writing very rarely stays according to what I've planned.

I don't know about anyone else, but I find my best inspirations come from watching TV and reading the newspapers. My advice is to find out what makes you tick then let the words flow.

Glfralin · 07-09-2006, 11:19 PM

One thing I've found that helps me keep writing on a daily basis, even when I feel totally dry for words, are the writing challenges. They can really help job a brain. It's also a great place to learn new words and stretch you vocabulary muscles.

aspiring · 07-10-2006, 03:33 AM

I'm with caca. Either you can't bear the thought of not writing, or you think it's a nice idea. If it's the latter, don't bother. If it's the former, why are you asking this question?

CZ · 07-10-2006, 03:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cj68

I see becoming an author as sometihng to do as a career. Something that will take up a lot of time and energy, and something that should not be done half heartedly.

I think you're looking at "becoming an author" in a rather black and white way. There are many writers out there who have kids, who hold a 9-5 job, who work multiple jobs, who have social lives, who take care of elderly or sick relatives, etc. The worst thing to do (in my opinion) is quit everything to write 24/7. A whole lot of inspiration and interesting stories come from simply living everyday life.

Just from a personal view, two major problems with a lot of writers involve dedication and self-esteem. Having the self-discipline to sit yourself down and dedicate X amount of time per Y to writing is extremely important. Having the self-esteem to acheive that dedication is paramount.

That's not to say that successful writers don't have self-esteem problems or occasional writer's block, but it has everything to do with how they deal with it. I'm sure even the best of authors have asked themselves at one point or another if they're "good enough," if it's "worth it." God knows I sometimes struggle with self-esteem problems regarding my work, and I've only had non-fiction articles published.

As for a short answer to your question: if you have something to say and you write it down, then you're a writer. If you talk about wanting to be a writer and never get around to it, then you're not a writer. I'd never presume to say you should or shouldn't do it, because that's a very personal issue and I'm not really sure you're going to heed any of this advice anyway.

Kane · 07-10-2006, 07:06 AM

I can bear the thought of not writing, but it is something I enjoy doing. I think it's rather silly to think it necessary to need writing like a fix in order to be good at it. If you enjoy writing, then write. And if you want to be a good writer, and you have some talent, then practice, hone your skills, commit yourself to becoming a good writer.