I admit, it must be very confusing. You know that you love to
write, but what you aren't sure of is if being able to write means
being a good writer. You would also be quite doubtful about how
good a writer you really are; whether you are going to be another
pea in the pod or which way to follow to make it.
The truth is you don't have to be a genius to be a writer. Oh
yes, there are geniuses who have been writers but being
intelligent or super-creative is not a prerequisite to write. You
don't even have to worry about being a non-native speaker of
English. If Ayn Rand can give a Fountainhead, in spite of being a
Russian with no knowledge of English till she was 25, so can you.
All you need is the love to write, some time to write, and loads
of perseverance.
The very first thing to do is to ask yourself the crucial
question - Do you really want to be a writer? Many underestimate
the writing life, impressed by glossy paperbacks and Oprah Winfrey
showcases. Some even assume that simply because they love to read
they will be able to write great stories. Just because you like
tasty food doesn't necessary make you a great cook, does it?
Successful writing takes much more than good English and good
ideas. A writer should have the courage to write his thoughts in
the paper without fearing how others are going to view it, the
determination to write it anyway and the will to withstand weeks,
months and maybe years of patience and perseverance to find that
right reward for his writing.
On the technical side, writing needs specific knowledge, a
quick eye for details, perfect structuring, excellent editing
skills (or you will have your manuscript back before you blink)
and constant research and improvisation.
Being a writer is not an easy job, neither is a Herculean task.
But there are some things you should employ continuously to
succeed in this wonderful profession. Here are some itinerary you
need to know for a perfect start:
1. Use your senses
You need to tune your senses to perceive things in a way you
have never done before. See, think and feel like a writer. A
writer should possess keen perception and a vivid visualization -
train your senses to be more sharp and lucid than ever before. It
is not very easy, but then, nothing is ever easy.
Have you ever noticed a painter at work? Let's say he is
painting your backyard, the one with those shabby bushes and
beautiful tree house. He never paints it as it is. If that's what
is required, then a mere photograph is enough. He introduces a
slight variation in colors, texture and lighting, as his mood and
hand permits him to. It is simply because he sees it from his
mind's eye, which gives an extra dimension to the whole picture
and his hand transmits that extra nuance to the painting.
That's what is required of writers also. Only if you train your
writer's eye, you can develop your unique style. The 'unique' is
important but not mandatory, as long as you don't set out to be
the next Wodehouse (we all would if we could!). But still, to make
your writing enjoyable and exciting, there has to be a silent
punch (that can be personal, informative or just plain factual
punch) in every part of your writing. So, the next time you write,
see to it that it doesn't just reflect your thoughts, but also
your style.
2. Read, Study, Observe
People familiar with books right from their childhood have a
decidedly greater advantage than their book-ignorant counterparts
- they have better vocabulary, clearer grasp over the usage of
language and sharper sense of perception.
I have never been to China in my life, but I know what ancient
Chinese landlords had for their lunch after a heavy day's hunting.
How? Pearl S. Buck. So reading has one more advantage. It makes
you know about places and things that might never be in your reach
- except in words.
And don't forget, a certain writer called James Hadley Chase
wrote hundreds of books about the American life - without ever
visiting the States (He went there twice only to give a lecture in
a university - after he became famous through his books).
It doesn't matter you like only Archies or MilLs & Boon -
the criterion is to know different genre of writing and improve
your senses. If you have never been an avid reader, don't despair.
It is never too late to start reading. So next time you visit the
library, be sure to read for improvisation rather than for
entertainment.
Additionally, you should also begin to study books and
magazines. When you read a book, notice the technique of writing
and how the writer has dealt with the plot. Is it intriguing? Is
it lousy? Analyze the result and ask yourself whether it is
possible to give a different ending.
Prolonged reading over the years hones your ability to
differentiate between good writing and bad writing - the one thing
that is probably the most important trait a writer should possess
to provide masterpieces.
3. Always carry a small notepad and a pen with you.
Many great ideas have been born in life's most difficult and
incomprehensive circumstances. You might never know when your muse
is going to strike! So always have a small notepad and pen with
you. Or, if you belong to the techie world, a small recorder is
great, if you don't mind strange or inquisitive glances (for some,
it is an embarrassing distraction).
Handheld Recorders are great! You can always point it under
somebody's nose and start asking questions, wherever you are,
whatever you (or they) are wearing. I once went for a walk in the
park and saw some gypsies selling bead jewelry. I immediately
interviewed them and their responded eagerly. It was also quicker
because I am sure I couldn't have jotted down all they said in a
little notebook. It just took me 4 days to structure the feature
and I sold it in the very next week!
Of course, that's from an acute commercial angle, but having a
recorder means letting your mouth speak instead of your hands,
which can be more spontaneous and lucid. You will be able to play
it later and compare with what you are thought were then and now.
4. Time, the Writer's Best friend (or worst enemy)
Lack of time is one of the biggest drawbacks for all writers.
They must cope with distractions and demands, while those who work
or be part of a large family have a decidedly harder time,
juggling with obligations and duties. Not to mention dates,
baseball and the idiot box.
The only way to make time is to prioritize. If you want to
write, then you have to find time to write. Don't expect anyone
else make time for you, it is not only impossible but also
immature and unfair.
Taking an hour out of day and sticking to that time is the best
way to 'find' time. Filter the useless, unwanted activities in
your daily schedule; you would automatically come up with some
quality time you can spend in writing. Sleep an hour late, wake up
an hour early, miss your favorite sitcom, cut the time on Chat.
. any way, you should be able to find that one hour daily from
your life!
The best way, is to prepare a time chart and post it in your
study board or bedroom. Looking at a time schedule will boost up
your activity factor and urge you to act faster, and not
procrastinate. Make specific goals, instead of generic ones. Let
your goal be to write 10 pages a day, instead of 'I will surely
write everyday'.
Start from the bottom step - start observing your neighborhood,
develop the flair for identifying and structuring news, aim for
the local magazines first and them move up. As they say, slow and
steady is the magic formula for writing success.
5. Practice, practice and more practice
You are not a writer until you write. Chant this about 100
times everyday. I know a score of people who can talk hours about
the joy and pain of writing, but have never written more than a
page in their lives. If you can't find anything to write about,
just start typing about your day in your journal. The only
difference between a good writer and a bad one is practice. The
'practice daily' regime I told you about could even be your
Biology assignment.
Experiment with your homework. The next time you get one, do it
with words, instead of information from the study book. Term
papers and assignments are an excellent way to improve your
writing because they provide you the style which will become your
unique signature as you mature and possibly give you the practice
material for regular material (not to mention praises from your
teachers). Instead of using downloaded or copied reference
material for your assignment, fist study the info and try writing
it in your style, in a slightly different angle.
If you are terribly confused as to what to write, don't
despair. Here are some daily writing exercises that are sure to
provide you with a myriad of writing practices:
· Keep a diary. Write about your experiences and grievances of
daily life. Pour out your feelings against the unfeeling parent or
indifferent friend.
· Watching TV? Write down your favorite/worst parts or
sitcoms, elaborating on why you like/dislike them and justifying
it with real-life facts.
· High School is happening. You meet new friends (and enemies)
every day. Write a short description about them as you get to know
them. Do a longer piece as they get closer to you.
· If you happen to be in a mall or bus, listen to pieces of
conversation you hear and write them down on your notebook. Create
plays and stories out of the info you get from their mouths.
· Pick up a newspaper or browse through the Net. Skim through
the daily headlines and articles. Mull over the contents and write
about the one that has made the deepest affect on your system -
after a week.
So that's that and you can take it from there. But I have to
warn you that more than anything else, writing needs passion. If
you don't love writing, you can't churn out writing that will be
loved by others. It's that simple. If you want to be a writer
because you are next door to Stephen King or you see writing the
easy way to instant money and fame, forget it. You won't make it,
except maybe for a very short time.
If you want to write because you burn to write, then go ahead.
The world out there always has a place for people burning to
write.
