Being a Writer

I’ve been writing since the day I was able to hold a pencil in my hand. Writing was never a career goal of mine, but it was always part of my plan that one day I’d “get to it.” I’ve written all these years for myself, for the pure pleasure and escape that it gives me. I haven’t written with any specific goal, topic or genre in mind until I recently decided to plan and take on my first “real” project, which is working on writing my first book. I had determined a long time ago that “things find their way in working themselves out.” I do believe in intuition, timing, doing things at my own pace, and eventually I will find and arrive at where I need to be. I am grateful for everything that has made me the person that I am today. I am also grateful for the way that my life has turned out, because it allows me the freedom “at this time,” and I have all the “support” necessary to focus on writing. Part of my plan was that I’d get “here” one day, I’d be a full-time writer, and here I am.

We never know where our life will lead us. We reach a certain age where we begin to look back over our lives, then we suddenly realize that “it’s us” that is supposed to lead our lives. You may say, “wow, I’ve done OK!” You may look back and say, “my life sucks!” Do you think that life is easy for everyone else? Life is not easy! Everyone has faults, disappointments, failures and hurts. I believe that everyone also has a “vice” in their lives that hampers their growth, and continually holds them back, such as, anything negatively affecting you, everyday problems, alcohol, drugs, gambling, toxic people around you, etc. You may have more than one vice in your life, or addictions that without them you can much better focus on your accomplishments. I look over my life, and it has been filled with challenges, anger, deaths and situations that didn’t go my way, etc. Life was/is never easy, though I’ve had wonderful times, moments of greatness, joy and unforgettable moments. We are “given this life,” and it is a huge responsibility that is “only ours.” Mommy and daddy, our teachers or whoever, lay the foundation for our adulthood, but some may not all get the message that “life is what we make of it.” Each of us has the power and the resources to overcome our biggest challenges, fears and let downs. How do you begin to live the life that you’ve dreamed of? How do you take on new challenges and accomplish your goals? Follow these tips:

1. Don’t be lazy! If you want something bad enough, you need to put the work into it, this is the only way. If we are truly passionate about something, our love for it is a natural driving force, but some people still never realize that the job won’t get done unless they get to work! It may not be easy, but eventually you’ll achieve your outcome.
2. Find your resources. What will it take for you to achieve your goal? Furthering your education? Doing leg work and researching? Doing interviews? Are you starting a small business, and need a small business loan? Are their any volunteer or non profit organizations that can benefit from jumping on board? A lot of help is available, brain storm and you’ll come up with many ideas.
3. Network! If you don’t have a business card, go make some up! You never know who you may run into that is a helpful connection, or who knows of someone that could be a helpful connection for you. People these days are not shy about needing someone else’s help, but always remember the person that reached out and gave you a break. Networking is all about helping one another with a break, but we could all use a break of our own, so be thoughtful of that person that reached out to you. A great way of saying, “thank you for your help,” is by taking them out to dinner, or simply a thank you card with a gift card to their favorite shop.
4. Get organized. The best way to accomplish anything, is by always being prepared. You’ll never be able to find anything in your messy bedroom, so goes the same for your project. Organization makes your project easier to work on, and shows a better level of dedication when your things aren’t thrown around and scattered. If you are organized, you’ll have your “direction” in better focus, and your plan better set up for you to achieve.
5. Know what you have to work with. You may need to be realistic here, because what you are trying to accomplish, may take more then what you “have” to put into it. Will your project need money, office space, volunteers? If you are trying to write a book full-time, do you have the money to pay your rent, or do you need a job? Also, realize that all your time and effort could possibly amount to nothing in the end, so are you prepared to sacrifice all your capital now in your savings, to end up broke? I’m not trying to discourage you, but the reality is that you can accomplish your goals while still “taking care of yourself, and your needs.”
6. Ask for help! You don’t always need to go it alone. Asking for help doesn’t make it any less your idea or your work. Asking for help can make things easier, and we grow more through experiences in our daily interactions. You can learn so much from others, new perspectives, get new ideas, and traveling to new places is fun with someone else to share it with.
7. What is your plan? Do you know the process that it will take for you to be successful in accomplishing your goal? It is a great idea to get something down on paper, and it doesn’t have to be set in stone, but just used as a type of guideline. keep in mind, that if you are starting a business, part of having a successful business, is having a well thought out business plan. When you are starting something that is as risky as a business, and you have your capitol, or others capital at stake, you can’t chance failure.
8. Learn the craft. If you are taking something serious enough to leap in, know what you are doing before taking the leap. Gain as much experience as you can before getting started. I see to many people setting themselves up for failure, because they weren’t patient enough to learn all that they could before getting started. Take classes, interview people, do your research, all while you are still tending you your needs in life. I worry that sometimes people leap so far, so quickly, and they are not prepared. I can’t stress enough when it comes to learning, and still having a healthy balance within your life.
9. Don’t compromise yourself, or your project to get ahead. Sometimes taking the easy way, is not the best way to go about success. You never want to compromise yourself, your beliefs, or your project, because it “is yours,” and theirs a strong amount of pride that goes into calling something “your own.”
10. Don’t stop! They say, “if one door close, another door opens,” this I am certain of! Do you realize how many times I’ve been turned down, or let down, or disappointed? I never lied down and gave up, I just kept going. Actors fail one audition, land another. Writers get turned down by one publisher, sign with another. A baseball player strikes out his first at bat, homers the next. You can take criticism positively, learn from getting turned down, always be open to what situations have to teach us, but always keep trying!

With whatever it is that you are trying to accomplish, I hope these tips will make it an easier process for you. Good luck!