A Writer's Dream

Ashley Vieau · Post by **Ashley Vieau** » 18 Apr 2016, 02:54

It hasn't always been my dream to write. It was never something I thought about until I was nearly 21 years old. I had wrote poems before, and just recently started writing short stories. I have also wrote in journals since I have been 14 years old. It surprises me that I didn't realize I wanted to be a writer until a few years ago. I'm also curious about how hard it may be to become a writer. It saddens me when I think about not being a writer, however it's also difficult to actually sit down and schedule the time to write. I am hoping through writing these reviews I can get usrd to writing regularly and be able to grow as a writer.

moderntimes · Post by **moderntimes** » 19 Apr 2016, 14:17

Ashley, until you stop telling yourself that you dream to be a writer, you'll never get unstuck.

Instead, tell yourself "I AM a writer!" and then get going. The little elves are on strike and they only made shoes anyway. You must discipline yourself and sit down and write.

Too many aspiring writers become misty with the "artsy" side of writing. But in fact, it's damn hard work! Would you sit and dream about "some day I'd like to feed my cat" or "some day I'd like to think about going to the grocery store"? No. You'd just do it.

Writing is a job as well as an art. But no painter ever gazed at a box of oils and "wished" them onto the canvas. No musician ever looked at a blank score and dreamed about the notes appearing there.

If it takes kicking yourself, do it. If it takes discipline, acquire it. Whatever it takes, do it, but you MUST sit yourself down and start. Else you'll always be drifting and dreaming.

I know what it takes. I've written 3 published novels now and I'm working on a 4th and 5th. If I hadn't sat myself down and began with "chapter 1..." I'd still be gazing at my navel. But I can look over at the bookshelf and see all 3 of my novels sitting there today.

Just some honest advice.

aparsons · Post by **aparsons** » 19 Apr 2016, 17:47

I agree with you, as always @moderntimes. I think people see all these successful, big name authors and wish they could be that famous or successful. I know I wish I could solve my financial problems with a well sold popular novel. "So and so can do this, and got movies and TV shows! Why can't I do that?" I think you do need some talent and creativity, but I agree that time, hard work and perseverance is a big part of getting those nice ideas onto paper.

moderntimes · Post by **moderntimes** » 19 Apr 2016, 18:48

Let's face it. No major publisher is gonna knock at your door, "Hello, we're surveying the neighborhood to find good life stories to publish and pay for, and the neighbors said you've lived an interesting life. So here's a check for fifty thousand to get started..."

Writing is BOTH an art and a profession. Too many wannabe writers want the former without accepting the latter.

KatherineEWall · Post by **KatherineEWall** » 23 Apr 2016, 02:08

Listen to moderntimes. He is a wise man. In order to be a writer, apply the seat of your pants to the seat of the chair and write.

moderntimes · Post by **moderntimes** » 23 Apr 2016, 10:37

I don't know about wise but I've been there, done that.

Aside from my "day job" career in chemistry research and computers, I've written "professionally" all my adult life. By "professional" I mean that I wasn't sitting in my garret room in the 19th century, starving, sighing, and wearily penning memoirs by quill pen. It means that although I may not have actually sold my short stories, articles, essays, etc, I wrote them with the purpose of selling.

This is NOT because I was venal and only wanted to write for pay. It's because I realized that writing for actual, real, print publication in a magazine or elsewhere is the criterion which writers should aspire to. This is true whether the pay is $20 or $25,000.

Writing "for pay" enables your mind to create professional output. Here's what Stevie King says about it: "If you wrote something for which someone sent you a check, if you cashed the check and it didn’t bounce, and if you then paid the light bill with the money, I consider you talented."

Now that sounds hardnosed but I firmly believe that this is the mental direction toward which most newbie writers should focus. And it's not whether you actually sell your story or autobiography to a publisher, because you likely won't. It's because the very mental focus and direction of "writing to sell" switches your creative juices to a higher level. You're no longer writing "for grandma" and you therefore must engage a force of mental concentration and hard work which lifts your writing to a stronger point.

As I said, writing is art AND commerce. Any "artistic" endeavor is like this -- it doesn't matter whether you're writing poetry or painting water colors or sculpting statuary. You must start with the mental and artistic drive and talent, and then, learn how to work with paints and color balance, how to chip marble without fracturing it, and of course, how to type a 70,000 word novel into your computer which is mechanically error free and has no grammatical mistakes, and at the same time, is a really good story.

If I hadn't taken this attitude, there's no way I would have sold dozens or articles, written numerous book & movie reviews, all for pay (not a lot, but it's the principle of the thing). Nor would I have signed a 3-novel contract last year for professionally publishing (they pay me) for my mystery novels.

Which is why I always caution newbie writers: NEVER say "I want to be a writer" or "I'd like to be a writer some day" because those are self-defeating. By definition you're saying that you may never achieve that goal. Instead, "I AM a writer!" and heck, I'd better stop daydreaming and start typing. Those little elves aren't gonna do it for you while you wistfully sigh and moan in artistic angst.

KatherineEWall · Post by **KatherineEWall** » 23 Apr 2016, 22:21

Don't kid yourself, MT. I may look like a newbie, but that is only because I left for a while due to health issues. I remember well some of our conversations from the past. And, I know for a fact, that you have wise advice for writers. You have the experience, the attitude, and the work ethic.

moderntimes · Post by **moderntimes** » 24 Apr 2016, 10:50

Thanks. I only try to pass along what I've learned.

As I said, my primary advice to newbies is to create a mindset that you're a top ranked author with a big fan following, successful, your publisher and fans are expecting the next blockbuster from you, and you better get started, and you better write that new book with a highly professional aspect and focus. Only the best for your fans. And with that image in mind, you'll push yourself toward excellent goals.

KBrown · Post by **KBrown** » 24 Jun 2016, 14:35

I agree with moderntimes. I set up a time everyday to write. It puts you in the mindset of writing being a job, but it also holds you accountable. The best advice I was given was to write every single day even if it's only a paragraph. It helps build your confidence in yourself and your writing.

MaryJones · Post by **MaryJones** » 27 Jun 2016, 04:55

Kbrown is right. A writer must find the time everyday for writing. He can improve his writing and writing ideas by practicing everyday. It doesnt matter even if it is a single statement or two. Writing must be a habit to improve the writing skills.