On Writing

Some advice on writing from someone who has no business giving it





For as long as I can remember I have always wanted to be a 'writer'. I used to write fiction all through middle school, high school and college. It came easy to me; I was a natural.


But as I left school behind and headed into the long and grueling territory of being a full-time worker I wrote less. I watched TV more. I was tired. Am tired.


I struggle to write today. Pulling each word out of my head and heart like ripping thick and stubborn weeds from a cold and hardened Earth.


I want to write again. I miss the joy it brought me, the freedom and the escape from reality I so desperately need. Today, my days slip by one after the other in a steady routine of sleep, go to work, watch TV, sleep, repeat.


I've hate what I've become. And as a result of my listless monotony the words have dried up inside of me and almost even to the point where not only can I not write, but I don't want to write.


That hurts. That is unacceptable. I refuse to let myself become a drone to the world of routine. And if you, my dear reader, are in the same or a similar position as myself - you should refuse it too!


We are writers, damnit! And we've come to write! ...So, why can't we?


Well, there are multiple reasons I'm sure, but the biggest one is always this: Fear.


Every time I try to write a rough draft all that goes through my head is how terrible it is. How nobody is going to want to read this. How flat and dull the characters are and how bad the pacing is.


Stop it! Like with most things in life, starting is the hardest part. Don't let that fear hold you back. A rough draft is a rough draft and guess what? It's supposed to suck! It's supposed to be 'rough'.


If you have an idea, write it down, work it out. Put terrible words on paper and know that you can come back and fix it. And know that you and you alone are the only one who is going to see that terrible rough draft, so don't fear. Just write.


I am currently trying to take my own advise. I have the fear and I have it in a bad way. I'm hoping this blog may help me and hopefully you. So for now that's my advise. Just write. Write ANYTHING. Write a blog, write in your diary, use writing prompts for short pieces or just write about whatever you're daydreaming.


So go! Open up a word document or pull up a blank page in your notebook and force yourself to get words on paper. Who knows what story will unfold?