6 Reasons to Become a Writer
I could just as easily write 6 Reasons to Not Become a Writer,
but I'm focusing instead on positives because what the world needs now is love sweet love, and more writers. Did you know your ideas have the power to open minds, reverse the effects of climate change, define our future, and offer escapes to those in need? It's true. You don't have to be a rocket scientist to imagine a rocket.
Whether fantasy and science fiction are your go-tos or romance, horror, and comedy, you have the ability to write the next best classic because there's a story inside of you nobody else has, and it's yours and yours alone. Inviting others to experience it is only optional.
Writing a novel has been a lifelong dream of mine and an effort I always felt daunted by. "One day, I'll do it when I have the time!" I was that guy. There were so many times I believed I’d do it and many more I'd given up hoping because, frankly, when you're working a full-time job, who does have the time? It didn't help that I lacked a story worth telling and wondered why anyone would be interested in anything I had to say. Self-defeatist much?
Then I realized something. This goal wasn't formed from a need for approval. It wasn’t to inspire the next blockbuster movie or to put me on a NY Times Bestsellers list (although, I’m not opposed to any of these things). It was to prove to myself that I could and to know it happened because I set my mind to it and put in the work.
So a little over a year ago when I had an idea for a story, I decided to write it down. An idea so vague, that I may have had two character concepts, intentions for some magic, and a rough idea for some baddies. Sitting down to create those very first words felt good and I hit the ground running. Paragraphs fired out of my brain faster than I could type them.
Then I read it.
Worst garbage ever written. Who in their right mind would read this crap? I certainly wouldn't. But I made a commitment to myself and wasn't going to let this cheesy first-timer story-making rubbish get in the way of my dream.
I've since scrapped that and many more paragraphs I labored over to unlock the work I'm proud of. It also helped to learn that this is part of the process for many writers and not something to feel discouraged by. Now, a year later I'm still at it and, while the story holds true to those early concepts, it has taken on a life of its own.
“What the world needs now is love sweet love, and more writers.”
If you’ve ever dreamed of or considered writing, or even if you haven't given it much thought and are wondering now, here are six reasons to become a writer. They're my takeaways from this past year which I never would have learned had I not given writing a chance, and the reasons I keep at it. I hope you find this list useful and feel inspired to pick up the pen soon.
1. See things with new eyes
Shortly after you start writing regularly, your mind begins to look at things differently. Whether it’s character inspirations, their motivations, to help you document and make sense of your observations, figure out what to put inside that space station you invented, or where to put that space station, your third eye will open. You'll find material to strengthen what you're writing and ideas for what stories to write next.
This information is everywhere, ever-changing, and always available and when you're ready, you will find it.
2. Learn something new
This past year, I read futuristic magazines, learned about platonic solids, researched the mesosphere (insert made-up station here), and more. I did this because my story required me to. I can't recall the last time I enjoyed conducting such untethered research and loved it. Probably never.
I also read more than ever before, listen to writing podcasts regularly, attended a course on self-publishing, and built and launched a website. I'm officially a blogger! Honestly, blogging has never even been on my radar before. None of these things were until I started writing.
3. Escape inside your own imagination
If you read my newsletter, you probably saw a quote from C.S. Lewis. "You can make anything by writing." And wow, is it true. Sometimes, I get lost in my story and exist right beside the characters experiencing exactly what they are. Finding that zone is magical and doesn't always come easy, but when it does you never want to leave. It’s also pretty amazing after you create a new character and you reflect on them and think, I just invented a person.
4. Become a better writer
If you saw what I wrote last year versus now you'd think you were reading words from two different people. And you would be. My writing has improved so much since I started and it's only getting better. Disclaimer alert: I have no false pretensions and know I have a long way to go, but seeing this evolution first-hand has not only been rewarding, but encouraging and it prompts me to push even harder every time I sit down to write.
5. You can still keep your day job
Although it's way more fun when you don’t. But you probably have bills to pay and expensive health insurance that doesn’t cover basic checkups. I'm incredibly fortunate because I did quit my day job, but not to become a full-time writer. I'll save that story for another day though.
I'm not going to lie, having the extra time helps, but it's not mandatory. You can carve out a little time each day or around your schedule as it suits you, and it can be as much or as little as you want it to be. And let’s face it, this is great because how many people do you know that don’t want to keep their day jobs?
6. You Already Know How
Unless you’ve come from or suffered unfortunate circumstances (and I’m sorry if you have), you probably know how to read and write. Writing is literally one of the first things we learn after the diaper years. You already have the power to create whatever is in that head of yours and to do something that’s never been done before.
Make lots of money.
Oops. Wrong list.
Final thoughts
The idea of putting a tick in the box for this bucket list item got me started, but isn't what keeps me going. It's these things above I feel compelled to share with you now. Sure, it's a gritty business sequestering yourself in the library five days a week and cutting off most human interactions (also a pro), but for me it's worth it.
A lot of work has gone into getting me this far and there's so much more to go. The difference now is that I'm activated. And while I won't be going to Disney after I finish this novel, I plan to waste no time when it’s done getting started on the next.
Well, what are you waiting for? Here are some helpful resources to get you started.
Useful Writing Resources
Bird by Bird (book), by Anne Lamott
Write Now (podcast), by Sarah Rhea Werner
The Writer (magazine)
Writing Excuses (podcast) - with Dan Wells, Brandon Sanderson, Mary Robinette Kowal, Howard Tayler, and more
Writers Digest (magazine)