James Scott Bell
I’ve been dispensing writing advice on Twitter for a year and a half. You know, 140 characters or less of timeless wisdom on the art and craft of fiction. At least that teaches one to write tight!
So from time to time I’d like to draw on the archives and post a nugget, and start a conversation. Get your feedback. See how we can form a “collective mind.”
In that spirit, here is today’s Twitterati:
Don’t ask, Do I have a book inside me? Ask: Inside, am I a writer? If the answer is yes, write and don’t stop.
Questions:
Do you see yourself as a writer, or do you have doubts? What do you do about them?
What does “being a writer” mean to you?
Is there one book inside you, or are there more where that came from?
Have at it. We’ll talk.
I’m one of those people who can’t write short. When I get writing, a short story becomes a novel and a novel begets sequels. I can’t help it – I want to know what happens to my characters.
I’ve probably almost written 1 million words in the past 16 years. And there are more itching to come out.
I love the quotes and advice you post on Twitter.
I’ll never have time to all the books I have ideas for! I have at least 4 series ideas, not to mention the half dozen or so stand alone novels. Sigh.
Should have proofread! It should be I’ll never have time to WRITE all the books…
suelder, that’s one of the best indicators that you’re writing well, wanting to know what happens to those story people you create. Keep finding out.
Joyce, I can relate. My idea folders, both physical and electronic, are stuffed to the gills.
Good post.
Do you see yourself as a writer, or do you have doubts? What do you do about them?
Lots of doubts for a long time. No matter how hard I worked I considered myself to be “playing at writing”. My personal breakthrough came when after six years, I submitted my first manuscript to an editor. Seems rather arbitrary really, but now I consider myself a writer, because I let someone in the publishing world look at my work.
What does “being a writer” mean to you?
Being a writer means writing what I love to write, regardless of whether it’s popular or trendy, and persisting at it through all the trials and pitfalls of life that you are going through as you try to eek out time to write. I know a lot of people who say they want to be a writer, but never ever write.
Is there one book inside you, or are there more where that came from?
Off the top of my head I have half a dozen rattling around in my brain. My biggest fear is kicking the bucket before they all have a chance to get out, especially judging from how long it took to write my first manuscript.
BK, thanks for those detailed answers. You’re so right about the “bottom line.” A real writer writes, somehow, some way.
I love writing. It really is my passion but I have always had a problem. Anytime something comes up in my life and I have to stop for a while I find it nearly impossible to start again. I don’t doubt my skills as a writer. I know what to do technically and how to write some engaging pieces, but if something that takes more than an afternoon to write I always have a fear that it won’t get done. Any suggestions? Thanks.
Allen, I know what you mean about getting “away” from writing, because of life, etc. One suggestion is to be able to write when you’re not writing. Here’s what I mean: carry a little notebook with you. For jotting down ideas, plot points, characters, questions to be answered, even dialogue bits. IOW, use whatever time you can snatch to noodle about your project. Then, when you finally do get some time to write, you have been working on the story.
Also, set a reachable weekly quota of words. No matter how small it is, it’s a good incentive.
Keep writing.
In responses to that question, I think of my mother, who has been writing up a storm the last 20 years without trying to produce a book. Her writings are a mashup of memoir and historical record. Is she a writer? Yes. Does it matter whether she ever “produces” anything for publication? No.
Kathryn, good on your mom. Those writings will be priceless to you, at the very least.
As long as I can say or think the words “What If”, I’ll have a story to tell.
I was in a meeting a couple of weeks ago for my trade association Big Boy Job, when a colleague said to a visitor, “This is John, our resident author.” He intended it as a compliment, and it was taken as such by everyone except a magazine editor who was also in attendance, who pointed out rightly and in a friendly way that she and her staff are all authors.
I’ve learned over the years that the definitions of “writer” and “author” are sticky ones. I’m to the point where I avoid using the terms. When people ask me what I do, I say that I write books. This frequently invites the question (that one’s for you, Jim; it’s your day, after all), “Are you published?”
Okay, I’m rambling. Time to get back to writing. Authoring?
John Gilstrap
http://www.johngilstrap.com
Thanks for the suggestion. I was also wondering if you guys are still taking first page submissions and if so, how would I go about it?
Do you see yourself as a writer, or do you have doubts? What do you do about them?
I think the writer in me is fighting to get out right now. I love the process, sitting down and letting it flow. Seeing how the story forms as I go. I’m such a newbie at the process, having discovered the passion for writing in my late 40’s. Yes, I have doubts about where this is going to take me. I finally took a leap of faith, took the first step and entered a writing contest. I try not to compare myself to other writers, because when I start doing that, it all stops and question why I’m even doing this. So try not to over think it too much. Just enjoying the writing and learning for now. I don’t always find time to write everyday, but I find myself creating and writing the story in my head during those times.
Is there one book inside you, or are there more where that came from? Oh, there’s more than one. I’m in the middle of one story and keep coming up with ideas. I’m trying to finish one, before I start another. Though it’s tempting.
Hi Jim,
I am a writer, but oh how those doubts creep in about being a ‘good enough writer’ whatever that means. I find myself wondering if I’ll fit in, and part of me knows I will but part of me thinks ‘what if?’
And like Allen said about life getting in the way, I struggle with that too, yet I would be miserable if I quit writing. I think it’s time to pull out The Art of War for Writers. It’s time to declare war once again. 🙂
It’s amazing how examining these questions just gave me two Ah ha moments.
“Do I have a book inside me?”
Geez, hope not. I chew a roll of Rolaids every day as it is.
Am I a writer? Yup. Do I tell anyone? Nope.
Gosh, I hope so. I continue to work on the craft- small, large, and everything in between. I do like writing what I want to read. And every time I worry about the story I am editing, but it makes me laugh and enjoy it every time I read it – I figure I have to have something going for me. If I still enjoy it every time I go through it, I believe there is hope.
Allen, I don’t know about plans for more first page critiques, but stay tuned.
I have many books inside of me. All queued up and ready for their turn. Problem is one of them is written in Yiddish, and another starts in Hebrew, goes to Irish Gaelic, then ends in medieval Mongol and Korean. None of which I actually speak.
Wanted: One multilingual translator. Must have experience as a muse. And preferably should look like Chinese actress Zhang Ziyi or Israeli model Moran Atias
or at least not ugly with garlic breath
I’m a writer because I have a hunger to have my work read. I’m over the moon as the number of visitors to my website increases. Even though I haven’t found an agent yet, I feel like what I have to say makes a difference to others.
I’m writing a comic mystery right now with a plan for sequels.I’m up to the murder scene, and I’ve been putting it off because I really like my murder victim. Brings me to my second point. I think when you become emotionally invested in your characters, you can consider yourself a writer.
Writing is a creative drive inside you that you cannot cast aside. A true writer is driven to write, cannot quit, and only feels satisfied after putting words to paper. I have more stories in me than I’ll ever have the time to tell.