Hello there!
Let’s get this writing journey started.
OK, first thing first. If you want to be something or claim to be something, you probably need to know exactly what that thing is, right?
Well, I claim to be a writer, but by my own definition I’m not one, not yet.
There are many different opinions out there on what it means to be a writer.
Some say you are born one. To me, this is like saying that you are born a piano player—no skill required, just get whatever tools needed and get started.
Others say, you become a writer the moment you put pen to paper. By this definition, I’ve been a writer since I was five years old. Most of humanity, too.
However, writing, just as any other craft form, requires skill and then honing that skill every chance you get.
So the definitions above are not what I’m looking for.
And don’t get me wrong—how you perceive yourself is important. But here’s the thing: You are what you do (regularly), not what you say you are.
So yes, I see myself as a writer and this is an excellent starting point. But to truly be one, I need to live this idea, this vision of me.
There is no clear formula on how to do this, but here’s what I am going to do:
Write every day.
Read every day.
Live a writer’s life.
I’ve based this little list on years of studies and the fact that I know myself well. I tend to overcomplicate things, over-plan, and over-commit to my projects.
This time, I am actively choosing simplicity. This is too important to me to spend too much time overthinking it. I don’t know if this makes sense to anyone, but it does to me.
Here are a couple of more details on those three points:
Write, plan stories, outline or re-write every day. It’s not just about word count it’s also about spending time building exciting and wonderful stories.
Read every day, read wildly, and have a never-ending, eclectic reading list. Gather stories and combine ideas from astrophysicist, gourmet chefs and more, as seen through the eyes of the goofy geek I am.
Build routines and habits around the fact that I am a writer. Choose my clothing, arrange my desk, and set up a magically wonderful writer’s life.
This is a process that will take some time and I will need two more things: Consistency and Patience.
I’m friends with one of the two sisters, but not the other. Consistency and I go way back, but I never understood Patience and her precious gift is often times lost to me.
But I will do my best regardless.
I will start by measuring my progress regularly until the end of this year. I think this is how long it will take for me to embody the vision I have of myself.
They say you can form a habit after only 21 days, but this is not a mere habit I’m working towards here. No. This is a whole new life I’m building and it will take a little bit more time to get where I want to be.
And that’s OK.
To quote the mentor I have chosen for this wonderful adventure:
“Journey before destination.” — Brandon Sanderson
Next time I’ll tell you more about the teachers I’ve picked to guide my way and why I’m limiting them to one mentor and 2-3 additional sources and no more.
Thank you for being here!
Have a fantastical and creative week,
Lina
