And what do you do?... How to know when you're a writer!
It's the funniest thing. When someone asks me what I do for a living, I
tell them, "I'm a writer." The standard response is, "No, really, what do
you do?" Somehow, I always get lost in the conversation because I never
expect that type of response. I end up floundering in hopes of someday
finding a good response.
--- So, how do you know you're a real writer? ---
It has to be a certain look or smell that identifies you as a writer. Is it
the turtleneck and mothball odor that give it away, or perhaps its the old
blue jeans you wear for a week or two.
Generally, my rule of thumb is if you can sell your ideas and make money
writing, you're "a writer!" If you sit and write all day long and never
sell anything, then "you write." So, in summary: "you write until you
become a writer!"
But, this is very true! To become a writer, you have to write every day.
You should think of a dozen or so topics and write about them. This will
help you learn your style and develop your skills.
If you write, but are not yet a writer, here's an objective! Write, until
you sell something. Once you get the money, pay your gas bill. Now, you're
a writer! But, don't stop with just one article, keep going!
--- Hey Ed! Say something funny. ---
It just doesn't happen like that. I'm not a funny guy. If I sit down and
design something funny, I can be hilarious. But, I can't just say something
funny.
On the other hand, ideas are things that just happen. But, developing and
writing that idea takes work. The act of writing doesn't "just happen."
When writing about an idea, you have to research the idea to determine if
it's feasible. If it looks good, then you have to research it again to
become an expert---or at least knowledgeable on the topic.
The other point to writing is that, even as a Technical Writer, you have to
feel the writing. This goes back to one of my previous articles, "Natural
Writing." You have to learn your verbal style before you can become
comfortable with your written style. Once you understand your own style of
communicating, stick with it as it's the most comfortable place to start.
Let it evolve, but stay with it to ensure that the writing feels good and
flows.
--- And, have I read something you've written? ---
I don't even know if they can read much less if they've ever read something
I've written. If the name rings a bell, probably so! The point is that
most people won't know about you unless you write!
Become a prolific writer and write for the sake of writing. The more you
write, the better you become, the more you publish, and the more people will
read your work.
One of the biggest stumbling blocks for a writer is "fear." Don't be afraid
to send your work out. People will compliment you and criticize you. In
all cases, take the feedback, positive or negative, graciously!
--- I write stuff, too. ---
When I was young, I wrote on the bathroom stalls in Catholic elementary
school. I created some spectacular poetry! When Sister Butch, of the Order
of the Most Vicious Blood, caught me, that was the end of my career, and
nearly my life. Everybody can write, but not everybody can be a writer.
Being a writer is not just putting words on the paper. It involves
research, organization, thought, creative wordplay, and the ability to sit
still long enough to put it all together.
This short article is a reasonable example. It started out in my head as
"Why write?" and evolved based on some thought. Writing is the evolution of
ideas into something between fact and fiction. It's the evolution of
presentation into something coherent to the largest audience. It's a
fantasy that turns into a reality once you figure out what it is that you're
trying to say!
--- And, what made you write? ---
It wasn't some miracle or premonition. Honestly. Someone made me madder than
a hornet. To make a long story short, I designed and developed an idea for a
product that would save a previous employer a lot money. I did all of the
financial work, software engineering, implementation, and testing to prove
the idea.
During my presentation, the senior engineers scoffed at the idea. So I took
my notes, wrote a manuscript, and submitted it to various publishers. A
month later, a publisher picked up the manuscript and we signed a contract
to publish it. It all took off from there! That's it!
There are a million reasons to write, but I found later that you don't need
a reason if you love it. It takes just one situation to get you started
into the addictive world of writing! But, all you really have to do is ...
--- Just write! ---
I don't write on bathroom walls anymore because it's too hard for our
housekeeper to keep up with the work. But, I do carry around a palmtop just
in case I get an idea! For now ... just write everything you can as often
as possible. Once you get the hang of it, writing becomes an addiction.
Write because you can take an idea and tell it to the rest of the world.
Write because your wife has another headache. Write because you can make
money. Write so that the next time someone asks what you do, you can say,
"I'm a writer!"
About the Author
Edward B. Toupin is a freelance consultant, writer, and published author
living in Las Vegas with his singer/actress wife. He currently handles
technical writing tasks for various companies in New York, Chicago, and
Denver as well as imagineers and markets feature-length screenplays.