I have always found writing to be something that comes naturally to me, and so I have, in both my professional and personal life, gravitated towards activities that involve writing. As an extension of this, and my need for self-expression, I started writing countless novels, short stories, and articles, only to see them fizzle and die, often withering away as my input diminished over time. The truth is, writing is easy, but really sticking to a project is hard, especially when you may or may not know how the project should end.
I am continually envious of those kinds of authors that can sit down and, without any hesitation, begin to compose something of substance. To me it felt like I was always a half formed thing, with the ability to compose excellent snippets and detailed descriptions, but I was not capable of then turning those items into a coherent story or article. Then I discovered the truth: that those same people that I envied, who could write at will and see characters and plot twists simply flow from them as a nearly spiritual transference, were just as flawed as I was when it came time to deliver the goods. They also had mountains of projects left abandoned, an no real finished work to speak for them or their abilities.
I write this blog as an emerging novelist. I can say that now because I have finished, in its entirety, a full length novel. And even though it still needs editing and formatting and publishing, those factors are secondary to the fact that in my perseverance, in my dedication, I found out that hard work and discipline are able to take me further in my writing career than any innate talent or skill. It turns out that writing is, after all, the same as any other profession. The people that you also envy, those that have success and recognition, they labored in ways beyond simple writing. They set schedules, they stuck to them. They researched, they connected, they marketed. If you write for yourself, that is fantastic. If you want to write to completion, even better, but know the dedication it will take. If you want to write professionally--doubly so if you are an indie author--then you need to approach your writing as a business. In this blog I offer, humble as it may be, my own experiences and recollections as I go through the process. One book done, two others in progress, another in planning. I have a production line. If only my editors could keep up...
I am continually envious of those kinds of authors that can sit down and, without any hesitation, begin to compose something of substance. To me it felt like I was always a half formed thing, with the ability to compose excellent snippets and detailed descriptions, but I was not capable of then turning those items into a coherent story or article. Then I discovered the truth: that those same people that I envied, who could write at will and see characters and plot twists simply flow from them as a nearly spiritual transference, were just as flawed as I was when it came time to deliver the goods. They also had mountains of projects left abandoned, an no real finished work to speak for them or their abilities.
I write this blog as an emerging novelist. I can say that now because I have finished, in its entirety, a full length novel. And even though it still needs editing and formatting and publishing, those factors are secondary to the fact that in my perseverance, in my dedication, I found out that hard work and discipline are able to take me further in my writing career than any innate talent or skill. It turns out that writing is, after all, the same as any other profession. The people that you also envy, those that have success and recognition, they labored in ways beyond simple writing. They set schedules, they stuck to them. They researched, they connected, they marketed. If you write for yourself, that is fantastic. If you want to write to completion, even better, but know the dedication it will take. If you want to write professionally--doubly so if you are an indie author--then you need to approach your writing as a business. In this blog I offer, humble as it may be, my own experiences and recollections as I go through the process. One book done, two others in progress, another in planning. I have a production line. If only my editors could keep up...
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