From laughloveliveitall.wordpress
Yes, 'real writers' have a constant itch to be writing something. Even when they experience writer's block, that itch is there. The problem then is that they can't seem to be able to scratch it!
Do you remember when you first wanted to write or when you took step one to becoming a writer?
For some of you, those days were a very long time ago but others may be in initial days of their writing journey here and now.
Do we get hit like lightning with a thought that we should try writing? Does the desire to write come on gradually? Do we act on our first thoughts about writing? Or do we wait an interminably long time before taking step one? I imagine there would be yes answers to each of those questions if we polled a group of writers.
I wanted to become a writer for many years before I actually tried. When I had to deal with a double tragedy in my early married life, one of my first thoughts was that I needed to write about the experience to help others. That's as far as it went--a thought. It took 30 more years of living for me to be able to write about that time in my life. Maybe that's alright. Who knows for sure? Perhaps I wasn't ready to share until all those years had passed.
I do know that I could have (should have) started my writing journey much sooner than I did. Even though the desire to write burned within, I made excuses for not acting on my feelings. I couldn't be a writer while raising children or doing lots of volunteer work in our community. There was not enough time, or so I told myself. That was a pretty poor reason since there are many writers who hold down full-time jobs and run a household but still find time to put words on paper. Obviously, their passion is greater than mine was.
I also know now that the excuses we make for not having time to write or a life where writing doesn't fit are exactly that--excuses! It's a big part of that self-doubt problem many of us have, especially in the early days of being a writer. Fear is a monster that seems to grow if we cower in the corner instead of facing it head-on. The longer we wait, the bigger he becomes.
Do I wish I'd started to write earlier than I did? Absolutely! My writing path has never been one that leads to supporting myself with writing. I am a hobbyist writer who has also had the great joy of being published many times. Besides that, the old teacher in me wanted to start a blog about writing to help other writers with tips and encouragement. It's why this blog was birthed and why I continue with it.
How about you?
- When did you begin writing?
- How long did you wait from the time you wanted to write until you actually did it?
- What kept you from starting sooner?
- If you had it to do over again, would you follow the same path or a different one?
- What advice would you give someone who expresses the desire to write?
- Do you depend on writing income?
- Are you a hobbyist writer or a professional?
I do know one thing. I have no regrets in putting my foot on the path to the writing world, even if it was later than I wanted it to happen. The passion-for-writing embers grew into full flame once I put words together to create a piece of writing. I can now say I am a real writer who, like today's poster says, has to write.
