Writing Communication: Are You A Real Writer?
- Posted by Essays Blog in Essays Blog |
- November 18th, 2008 |
- Comments
I hear it all the time from my students and at the seminars and workshops I lead. The writers that I activity with are excited to activity with a “real” writer. Most people define a “real” writer as one who is published. Hence I, with III published novels and innumerable newspaper and magazine articles low my belt, certainly qualify.
However, the longer I am involved in the business of professional writing and the commandment of writing the more I question that definition. For me, being a “real” writer is much more about a country of mind rather than a country of being. I believe real strongly that you need to become a real writer before you can become a published writer for I know that piece most (if not all) published writers are real writers that the reverse is not necessarily accurate. I have known many real writers who have not yet been published but I believe they will be any day — if they just follow it.
Real writers are made. No one is born to be a writer although many real writers are born with a drive or need to be a writer and this is certainly a help during the difficult times and challenges that all real writers face. A real writer requires five essential tools.
The first, and most important, is a single writing process. In order to compose advantageously and effectively not to mention to grow as a writer, you must develop a writing process. A nonexistent, or inefficient, writing process can greatly hinder your ability to compose but a writing process tailored to your single strengths and weaknesses can make your writing stronger and easier.
The 2nd element goes along with the development of your writing process. This is learning your strengths and weaknesses as a writer. What is the most difficult part of writing for you? What is the easiest? The more you know about your own writing so the better equipped you are to capitalise of the areas where you are strongest and to process the areas where you are weakest.
Another essential element to becoming a real writer is criticism. Writers need to develop the skills necessary to be critical of their own activity and to edit effectively. Most real writers also have a activity network in place, much as a critique group or critical reader, to assist with this process.
Real writers also need to be readers. Writers must read a difference of authors and types of writing in order to learn more about the language, its artifact, and its diversified uses. Reading provides inspiration in damage of ideas but also language consume and cognition. Real writers love language and words and cannot get enough of either. Real writers are readers.
The final essential ingredient for a real writer is a alcoholic activity ethic. Real writers practice their craft on a regular basis (unremarkably daily). Any writers only compose a few hours a day piece others drop many hours writing. The length of time is not as important as a regular writing agenda that is only altered for major holidays or life-threatening illness. Even if you can only carve out an hour a day that is enough time to compose a novel if that is your goal. The important part is making your writing a priority and giving your writing muscles a regular workout.
If you deprivation to be a real writer so you must process these five essential tools of the writing business: individual writing process, knowledge of strengths and weaknesses, criticism, reading, and activity ethic. Once you have mastered these five tools of the business so you are on the artifact to becoming a real writer.