So You Want to Be a Writer...

by Henry McLaughlin @RiverBendSagas

So you want to be a writer...

So, You Want to Be a Writer?

For all you aspiring writers out there, I have a tip. Are you ready?

Here it is:  Put down your pen or pencil. Close your laptop.

And RUN.

To quote Dorothy Parker: If you have any young friends who aspire to become writers, the second greatest favor you can do them is to present them with copies of The Elements of Style. The first greatest, of course, is to shoot them now, while they’re happy.

Take up auto mechanics or brain surgery or lawn maintenance.

Did I dissuade you from writing?

No.

All right, then dig in for the ride of your life.

Get ready to put in long, lonely hours.

Get ready to put in long, lonely hours. Getting up earlier. Staying up later. Squeezing precious writing minutes out of daily activities.

Get ready to stuff your brain with more information than you think it can handle. Information that will be contradictory. Information that will sound like Yoda channeling Yogi Berra. And Darth Vader will be on the sidelines saying, “Come to the dark side.” You’ll feel like you’re already there.

Get ready to be rejected. A lot. From critique partners who’ll leave you wondering if you can put three words together coherently. From agents who say, “Interesting concept, but I can’t sell it.” From publishers who say, “It doesn’t meet our needs at this time. But if you make your hero an Amish vampire, we’ll take another look at it.” From family and friends who say, “Are you ready to give that writing stuff up and get back to reality?”

Get ready for an adventure like none other.

See worlds and characters come to life under your fingers.

See your creations take almost magical
journeys through your imagination.

See your creations take almost-magical journeys through your imagination and overcome humongous obstacles to achieve their story goals, to grow and change as people.

Experience God guiding your writing to touch readers’ lives, to give them greater insight into themselves, to draw closer to Him and to His plan for them.

Want to write? Then hang on. It’s going to be a wild ride.

And worth every minute.

If you’re an aspiring writer, what drives you to take up this humbling profession?

If you’re an experienced writer, what drives you to keep at it?

TWEETABLE
So you want to be a writer... thoughts from author Henry McLaughlin, @RiverBendSagas (Click to Tweet)

Becoming a writer is a wild ride, but worth every minute - @RiverBendSagas on @EdieMelson (Click to Tweet)

Henry’s debut novel, Journey to Riverbend, won the 2009 Operation First Novel contest. 

He serves as Associate Director of North Texas Christian Writers. 

Henry edits novels, leads critique groups, and teaches at conferences and workshops. He enjoys mentoring and coaching individual writers. 

Connect with Henry on his blog, Twitter and Facebook.