By Elgin Writers Guild Member Peter Bloch-Hansen
I wrote my first novel in Grade 8, a colossal failure, but here I am! Being a writer is just that –being the thing. You don’t need anyone to tell you you’re a writer. You don’t need anyone’s permission. You don’t need a certificate. You don’t need anyone’s praise either, though that can feel nice, but often isn’t worth much. So what DO you need? Beyond the physical tools, only a few things: — the desire, the
willingness (it’s serious work), the determination and a lot of patience.
Tools? Eventually, you will need to produce typed manuscripts, so an interneted computer/word
processor. I write most of my first drafts with a pen, (often late at night when the Muse thinks it
would be fun to strike). So, don’t worry about fancy writing software.
The Desire
So, the desire. For pro writers (I know a few) writing is major part of their daily lives. They
arrange their days around it. But it usually doesn’t start that way. J.K Rawlings famously wrote
her Harry novels when & where she could, over a period of time. Initially, writing competes with
of everyday life’s demands. So, work where and whenever you can (that’s where pen & paper
can be really, I mean, really handy: an idea can strike at any time: be ready to jot it down or it
will fly as fast as it landed.
Next, patience. Sometimes ideas just won’t come. Relax: sometimes the Muse likes to be invited
in. Also, it can take time for a piece of writing to reach a genius editor who will publish it –
patience.
Determination
On to determination. Developing writing skills takes time and practice. Books about writing can
help, but don’t replace practice. Write. It helps work with other writers for honest
critiquing, which can be painful. So, accept that once you’ve written it, it’s outside of you:
criticism of the writing is NOT criticism of YOU. Be humble you; have to learn your craft, and
discover you own way of making words dance which, btw, includes the rules for grammar,
punctuation, sentence structure, etc.
Patience
Patience? Not something today’s culture much values. But almost nothing is ever accomplished
without it. A lot of successful writing is about its ‘feel’ Ever tried to read a piece of legislation?
Or a mechanical engineering text? No? That’s for people who love those highly technical
subjects. Most other kinds of effective writing will make people feel something. The craft of
writing as about communicating clearly, but more, about making the reading satisfying – think of
a romance or a horror story without the emotion. Words carry feeling, especially when you team
them together like strong horses to bring your ideas where you want them to go.
Here is where a lot of rewriting happens, to get the ‘feel’ right. And most important, don’t be
afraid. Try this; try that; try something nobody has ever tried. Be patient; work until it feels right,
or until you’re satisfied you can’t get it any ‘righter’. If necessary, throw the thing out and start
over. What you’ve written is not you. Scrapping a paragraph or a chapter or a whole novel is not
like amputating an arm or a leg. It’s just part of the patient work of being a writer.
Oh. There is one more thing you will need – a sense of play. Nothing is more tedious than
laboring through a piece of writing its author did not enjoy writing – and rewriting. Finally, I
think, that playfulness with language is the true test of who is a writer and who is not.
Join us!
If you’re curious about, or interested in, writing, we can help. Contact us at
elginwritersguild@outlook.com, sit in on one of our groups, ask us questions, and we’ll help
you move toward your goal.