Article 1 in the series: So You Want to Be an Author?

If you love to read, there’s a good chance–at some point in your life–you’ve had a story idea. Or if you have special skills and knowledge, I bet people are always saying, “You should write a book!” If this is you, then maybe this series article might be useful. I’m going to be breaking things down into small segments. First, we’ll cover some of the things you need to know before you dive in.

Can You Call Yourself a Writer?

To quote Danny DaVito’s character Owen from the ionic movie Throw Momma from the Train, “A writer writes.”

If you keep a journal, you’re a writer. If you jot down the occasional poem, you’re a writer. Maybe you’re the guy the local newspaper’s (if you still have one) editor rolls their eyes at on seeing your email –again. I think, even then, you might be a writer.

But what if you want to do something beyond the private and the personal? Something others can enjoy, or, and here’s the risk, lambast? Something, something… tangible? Well, guess what, you still need to put words on paper or screen. And frequently. And this, this is the hard part.

Never expect your story thoughts to translate into beautifully written words on the first, second, or even third attempt!

“I’m working on it in my head.” This is a phrase that we often hear and maybe even use. And yes, it’s a real thing. But we do most of our thinking in concepts, not long sentences, and paragraphs, and scenes. So you honestly can develop a story in your head and then not know how to get it down on paper (let’s just call it paper, no matter your medium). Putting those thoughts into words is where we all get hung up. I say, it’s like craving a certain dish, but not having a recipe, or any ingredients. But here’s a little secret, Never expect your story thoughts to translate into beautifully written words on the first, second, or even third attempt!

Even for the published author, it takes many goes at the project to find all the write keys, the ingredients, so to speak. These might be great characters, a cohesive plot, meaningful themes, and so on. But you have to start. You have to write. You have to rewrite, and rewrite, and rewrite. Oh, and you have to read like a writer.

Read like a writer!

Seriously, reading for pleasure changes, or it should, when you have aspirations to write. Even if you want to write, shall we say, a cheesemaking book that’s better than some other person’s. You have to read these other books to learn what you like, what makes your voice different, and, equally, what you do not like!

Dissecting books, both best sellers and the rest, will give you the backbone of knowledge. At first, you won’t know what you’re looking for regarding some of the more craft terms and techniques (like plot points, character arc, etc). As you learn those things (I’ll go into resources for that in another article) you can still take a book, grab your post-its, and start flagging parts of books that really caught you, or that lost you, or that annoyed you.

What matters is starting. What matters more is continuing.

I’m going to suggest you buy some spiral notebooks. There is data to support the process of handwriting as a gateway to creativity, here’s a link to a fantastic article on the subject as well as tips on how to tap into this method. In your notebook, start jotting down ideas and settings and characters. You can “interview” your prospective characters, write a paragraph about an experience they had as a kid. Maybe a first line of the book will come to you. Or for instructional non-fiction, ideas for how your book will be special. Anything. Write it down. Remember, most of it will change, even the names and colors and professions might change. It does not matter now!

Talk again soon!

Image by Free Photos from Pixabay