How to Become a Writer

It happens to me often. Someone hears I’m a writer and tells me, “I have a book in me, but I haven’t written it. What do I do?” My answer is simple. “Put your tush in the chair.”

Meaning sit down at a table in front of your laptop or with a pen and paper and start writing. If you have something to say it will come out. I do not believe in writer’s block. Give yourself a time limit. The first day you’ll work for 15 minutes You can spare 15 minutes. After that increase the time.

I have three rules of writing.

One: There is no such thing as a book in your head. Books are made of words and there are no words until you begin writing. You should love the process of translating the world or your thoughts into words. If you don’t love it, writing may not be for you.

Two: Read all the time. Writers need to see how other writers approach the craft, begin stories, begin paragraphs, describe characters, write dialog, use active verbs, avoid adverbs and exclamation points. Don’t know what to read? Start with Ann Patchett’s “The Dutch House” and Elmore Leonard’s “City Primeval.”

Three: Reject your inner critic. This is key. So many people tell me, “I start writing but I know it’s not good enough so I can’t get going.” To which I say, “You are a slave to your inner critic.”

Your inner critic is the No to your Yes. It is your high school principal or an over-critical parent or your older brother. It is the person in your head who tells you you’re not good enough. The inner critic will always tell you your first draft sucks. It’s really the inner critic who sucks.

Banish the inner critic from the room. Let the creative person in you flourish. For me the creative person is 11-year-old Lowell living in Brooklyn. He has a blast. Only after he’s finished his first draft does he allow the critic in to discuss what he’s written. That’s when healthy editing begins. Remember, the 11-year-old is the creative one. The critic is the custodian who cleans things up – but never ruins things.

Glad I got that off my chest. Now put your tush in a chair.How to Become a Writer