Write in a Way That Feels Right For You

 

 

No two of us are alike, and that thought applies to writers as well as the general population. We may have the same physical parts, but the way we think and act are different. 

If writing a series of books is what Sam wants to do, then he should go for it. If Cynthia likes to write poetry and nothing else, she should pursue that line. If Zoe wants to write historical non-fiction, then she should concentrate on that. But, what if one of these writers wants to step outside their boundaries that they may have set for themselves? Go for it! I always encourage writers to try another form of writing than they are used to. It's perfectly alright. 

Because we are individuals, we should do what works for us. If it's staying within one genre of writing, fine. If it's to write in several genres, fine. If it's sit and think about writing, fine. Do what is comfortable for you. Not what your friends in your writing group are doing. Do what feels good for you and nobody else. 

I can't write like John Grisham, and you probably can't either. There is only one Grisham, and there is only one you. Be yourself. Write like yourself. Grisham has his own style. I do and so do you. We are single writers, not part of a herd or a bevy or a flock. 

Take a few minutes to make a personal assessment. Ask yourself the following questions:

• What do you like to write?
• What do readers know about your writing?
• Do you write as yourself or trying to mimic another writer?
• Are you willing to grow as a writer by continuing to learn about the craft?
• What background do you have that qualifies you to be a writer?
• What life experiences influence your writing?
• Are you willing to be an individual and write your way?

As our poster says, do what is right for you. Read and listen to other writers, but don't feel the need to be a copycat. What works for one writer doesn't always work for another. Don't be afraid to step outside the box if it works for you. 

This doesn't mean you needn't bother to read about the craft or you don't have to attend workshops and conferences for writers. Learn the basics, then adapt to your individual methods. 

Realizing A Dream

Happy Grad

We had the great joy of attending our oldest granddaughter's graduation from Southern Methodist University in Dallas this past week-end. That's Alexis beaming as she departs the stage where she picked up her degree folder. Graduating from SMU was a dream of hers when she was in high school.

While her friends applied to several universities, she sent in the application to only one. Being accepted at SMU would not be a given. She knew that. In fact, they probably turn away far more applicants than they can accept. Even so, she believed in herself and her dream. 

The acceptance arrived in the middle of her senior year in high school. To say she was elated is definitely an understatement. She counted the days until it was time to move to a dorm on campus in the fall.

Alexis wanted to be a writer but she figured out pretty quickly that she'd need another job to support herself and would write on the side. She majored in English with Creative Writing as a special interest. She took Journalism classes and wrote for the university newspaper. She joined a sorority, danced on the Pom Squad at football and basketball games for two years, was president of the Golden Key Club. This next semester, she will be a student teacher in an 8th grade level at a middle school in the Dallas area and then on to graduate school. 

As I watched the graduation ceremony Saturday, my joy in seeing her realize her dream knew no bounds. And yes, this grandmother did shed some tears. I knew that the dream had not come easy. There were funds to be found for 4 years at a private school, lots of hard studying, keeping up with other parts of college life and more. She didn't waver but persisted to make that dream come true. 

I thought about how often I have urged writers who read this blog to persevere if they want the dream of seeing their work published come to fruition. We doubt ourself at times and that's only natural when you're in a job where you get rejected more often than you get accepted. Sometimes we writers must push ourselves to keep motivated and to follow our dream. Alexis did that and her dream has been realized. I have no doubt that she'll pursue that next dream of teaching English and becoming a writer with the same attitude she's had these past four years. 

Ever Fear Submitting Your Writing?

Today's poster made me think about all the writers who spend time and expend effort to make an essay as near perfect as possible. Or a short story the best they can make it. Or a special poem. Anyone who writes knows that it's hard work. We also know that the next step is to submit your work for publication. So, today' post is a little pep talk for all who have a hard time submitting.

Beginning writers are eager to sub with dreams of immediate publication spurring them on. What a bummer when the first editor rejects the piece. And it happens again and maybe again. So what occurs next? The writer starts fearing the submission process. Quite understandably. Who likes to be batted down time and again? No one! 

What about that novel that you wrote over the space of several years? Is it difficult to start sending out queries to publishers and agents? Does it scare the daylights out of you? It certainly can. We are so apt to doubt our own abilities at times. I've been there and so have many of you. Our confidence level sinks pretty easily when we get multiple rejections. 

I think that, to be a successful writer, we need to inflate our ego a bit. By that, I mean we need to believe enough in our work that we can do a little self-bragging to ourself. We have to convince ourself that our project is worthy of publication before we can move into that publishing journey. If we don't believe in ourself, who else is going to?  

It's a lot easier to put that manuscript in a file and move on to other writing than it is to keep submitting it. But, will you regret it as the months and years slip by? Will you look back and ask yourself why in the world didn't you work as hard at submitting as you did when writing? 

Think about that. If you can put in all that it takes to write a novel, or even a short story, why can't you work just as hard at trying to get it published? One answer might be that the hard work to produce the writing involved only you. The next step involves you and others, sometimes many others. 

If you don't try to submit, how will you ever know if your hard work was worthwhile? If you don't take some chances with submitting, your work will have no chance of its own. You're in charge. A writer friend finished her book and started looking for a publisher or agent. We've all heard about authors who have subbed their novels over and over and over until they finally find someone interested in their work. Those people might be called hard-headed, driven, persistent or just plain stubborn. If that's what it takes, so be it. 

You're the one in charge. It's you who can make the decision to get your work sent out. It's you who can submit. No one else can do it for you. If you were strong enough to finish a writing project, you're certainly strong enough to enter the submission process. Take the attitude that you'll do the best you can for as long as you can. If you do, you'll never have to regret not trying.  

Wishy-Washy Or Passionate? Your Choice

This is a repeat post; one that was very popular about 2 1/2 years ago. The content is just as relevant today as it was then. Even if you've read it before, it might be enough to spark a bit of inspiration. i hope so. 

Wishy-washy or passionate? Which one describes your writing life? I've heard more than one person expound on wanting to be a writer. They talk about it and take a half-hearted stab at it, then give up when they don't see immediate results.

A star athlete became a star because passion for his sport burned within. The basketball player who doesn't have that intensity is the guy who spends the game on the bench. The writer who doesn't harbor those intense feelings is one who will not have a long list of publications behind his/her name.

How do you get that passion? Can't buy it. Can't steal it from anyone else. Can't wish it into fruition. You have to love something a great deal to spark that depth of feeling. You have to want more than the glory of being a successful writer. You need to write for the love of writing. Those who love beautiful prose when they read are ones who will try to equal it in their own writing.

I held my desire to write in check for many years. I waited until my children were independent adults, and as I've said many times here, that probably was not the smart thing to do. I wish I had followed my desire earlier, but that's water over the damn now. Still, the embers glowed within me all those years and when I finally got started writing the stories and essays I'd often thought about, it burst into a flame that still burns within me nearly twenty years later.

Does having a passion for writing insure you'll be a successful writer? No, it doesn't. What it does promise is that you'll continue writing and most likely will continue to be a better writer. If the passion is alive and well, the writer will take all the other steps to grow in his/her chosen field.

If you don't have that passion now, does it mean you should quit? I don't think so. Maybe if you keep working at it, the spark will ignite when you least expect it. Give it some more time.