So You Want To Be A Writer?

7

Ask yourselves this; what do you want to write about? If you’re literary goal is fiction, can you exist on next to nothing in the way of money and virtually become a recluse, deliberately shutting yourself off from everything you know to achieve your goal. If you still answered yes then read on…

***

Since taking up the noble craft seriously back in 2003, I have begun to realize that to write you have to be a touch crazy, or perhaps that should read ‘touched’. What other calling do you know of which mentally rips your very soul to shreds – some form of martyrdom perhaps?

At the very least, you need to be what most people would describe as a ‘character’, or an ‘eccentric’. Above all, you must have an obsessive compulsion to write.

We’re not talking about your average journalistic hack here that gets sent on an assignment to write five hundred words on the local flower show; or, if he/she is considered worthy by the managing editor of the rag they write for, gets sent out to dig up dirt on a politician or a so-called celebrity. No. We’re talking about someone who loves the written word and fictitious stories, be they fantasy, sci-fi, paranormal, YA, humour in any genre, spy thrillers, murder, historically accurate tales, or even those god awful Mills & Boon style formulaic love stories, read by women across the world. In fact we’re talking about any genre you care to name.

We go through hell on a handcart to bring our stories to you the reader, believe me I know; I suffered my second breakdown over my first novel. We sacrifice what passes for a ‘normal’ existence for our necessarily solitary one. Some of us write in the morning, some in the afternoon. Some even write from dawn to dusk.

A few well know authors and most celebrities employ ‘ghost writers’ to do the hard stuff – writing, while they concentrate on dictating into a recording device of some sort. Perhaps you may like to consider being a ghost writer. Don’t dismiss the idea out of hand. At least while you’re writing someone else’s story, and being paid for it, you’re free to work on your own magnum opus. You may even consider writing some short stories for publication. There are a lot of competitions looking for new writers. Why not start up your own blog?

While one or two writers make millions in royalties, most do not. So unless you are passionate about writing, stick with your day job.

One last thing, on behalf of all we serious writers, please, please continue to read the product of all our work, and if you can, please give us feedback on our web pages and blogs. Without feedback from you the reader, how can we improve on our work?

I thank you for taking the time to read this. Please throw a coin in my hat as you pass me by.

createyourbook
7 Comments
  1. Avatar of John Putnam
    John Putnam says

    From one writer to another, well said, Jack, well said.

  2. Avatar of Jack Eason
    Jack Eason says

    Thank you John , it needed saying. 🙂

  3. Avatar of Robert Politz
    Robert Politz says

    I think you’ve covered all the bases Jack, and said it well. But there will always be those who continue to write and some who continue to create black and white photographs or pencil drawings, oil paintings or other forms of “art”, just because they want to see if they can.

    I’d like to write something profound here but I think you’ve already done that.

  4. Avatar of Jack Eason
    Jack Eason says

    Thanks for the kind words RH. 😀

  5. Avatar of Patricia Gitt
    Patricia Gitt says

    Jack – Well said… except that for those of us who earned a living writing for business or journals, and now have the luxury to write for ourselves, we may have needed our previous jobs to prepare for our solo adventure with words.

    1. Avatar of Jack Eason
      Jack Eason says

      I believe I alluded to that point when I spoke of becoming a ghost writer Patricia. 😀

  6. Avatar of Joyce White
    Joyce White says

    Hi Jack. Firstly, I want to thank you for all your comments for my work. I first started writing during a breakdown from depression. But I can understand how a writer can pull their guts out trying to visualize what what needs to be said. I think we’re all amateurs that just don’t quit no matter how much it hurts. Too bad we’re not paid for our passion. Sincerely, Joyce

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