I always wanted to be a writer. Somehow, even as a child in school I knew this was a possibility for me. Not knowing much about writing as a craft, I began to read. This was the first, and in my humble opinion, the greatest step to becoming a good writer. Read – everything. Since those school days, I have not stopped reading. I read a variety of topics, formats, authors, and genres. I don’t only read books; I also read blogs, ebooks, magazines, newspapers and newsletters.
If you have also felt the bug to write, be it hard core journalism or the next fantasy sci-fi thriller, you must do two things in abundance. The first is to read, the second is to write.
A good understanding of the language you wish to write in is critical, and can be mostly absorbed from reading the highest examples of such. Study your language of choice and buy a few good text books on proper usage and grammar. You will begin to pick up the difference between a writer’s negligence with language and a writer’s style or flavor. There is a difference. Reading critically can be your salvation as a writer.
If you don’t know what you want to write then read some more. If you feel lost with a topic, educate your self. We live in a day of insurmountable information. You can find out about anything if you only know where to look; and we have an abundance of resources as writers. The Internet, text books, colleges, and professional references are limitless in this world today.
Odds are, if you have all ready decided to write, than you know what you want to write. The next thing is to find your voice.
Finding your voice is a matter of old school practice. Writing is a craft, and in some cases, an art. Sure, most anybody can fill blog space. But are you writing for relevance or reaction? Is your writing easy to read, is it accurate, will someone recommend it to a friend? Good writing comes the old fashion way and that is to write everyday.
Having a non biased and honest judge to throw your work against is also a good thing to have. Find someone who will be honest with you and who supports you. Someone who wants you to succeed will give you sincere feedback. Take criticism under advisement and get used to it. Rejection is part of the writer’s life. I look at rejection as part of the price I have to pay for getting to live my dream.
Supplies for a writer are pretty simple, though not as old fashioned as practice. Myself, I use a laptop computer with a word processing program and email. I use email a lot! There are a lot of publications online these days so don’t count out the power of the electronic word. Carrying a handheld recorder or notepad is a must for the writer’s life because your muse may not necessarily know you are in traffic when it shows up.
Reference material will cost a little. I put about five hundred dollars on reference material this year. It has been worth it. The most important two pieces of written word you have to have is a good dictionary and a thesaurus. Do not count on word processors to do all of your editing. You will have to educate yourself on grammar, style and punctuation. While most word processors have good correction material, they are not one hundred percent accurate. There are always instances in my work that require manual editing.
If you are of the mommy variety, which most of you reading this will be, writing from home can be both liberating and enslaving. I urge the mommies to approach writing with both education and apprehension. You will have to have some time to your self to concentrate, study, edit, write and market your material.
Depending upon the ages of your children, this can be challenging. Example – my children are three years old and one year old. Yes, I am challenged. It can be done, but order and structure are the words of the day. A good daycare, even if it is part time, can be life saver. Day care is expensive in most parts of the country, so I put this on the luxury list of things you need to be a write-from-home-mommy.
Finding support can also be challenging. I am fortunate to have a husband who supports the decision to write. If you are going to be a serious writer – i.e. writing for profit – then you must treat your area, your investments, and your time in a business like fashion. There will probably be some nay-say-ers along the way, just stay the course and they will eventually come around.
The craft of writing requires no less skill than most professionals. Your skill set will probably differ from mine. That is the beauty of writing, no two of us are alike and we can each utilize our experiences, perspectives, and creativity differently. I wish you each good luck and provocative writing!
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Melissa Fulwider is a Freelance Writer and Web Designer from Florida. She has a regular contribution to OcalaCafe’.com, Underwired Magazine, and is the Web Master for TheWriteTimes.com. Melissa has a regular blog and is an active member of the AdlandPro Online Business Community. Melissa is also a member of Mommy Mentors www.mommymentors.com/. Mommy Mentors is a resource for all mothers to find support, inspiration and information, both in business and life.
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