Transition from Calling Yourself a Writer to Truly Experiencing It
Uttering the word “air” won’t fill up your child’s birthday balloon; neither can saying “O2” improve your loved one’s breathing.
The simple truth here is that words are merely expressions.
It’s the actual experience of air, its existence, and our interaction with it that truly matters.
Now, what does air have to do with writing? Well, much like air, being a writer isn’t just about declaring or thinking of yourself as one. It’s about experiencing the entire process of writing each day.
Don’t just say you’re a writer; be one.
You don’t become a writer by merely harboring the dream or stating it out loud (and certainly not at a dinner party). Instead, it’s in the daily grind—putting pen to paper, fingers to keyboard, and words onto the page. It’s in the painstaking (though that’s my favorite part) revisions, the joyous victories when sentences flow like a river (rare), and the equally challenging moments when the words just won’t come (yep, those days happen).
In essence, being a writer is about the actions we take, the writing habits we develop, the resilience we show in the face of challenges, and the sense of fulfillment we gain from expressing our thoughts, ideas, and stories. Much like breathing air, writing should be an innate part of us—an action so familiar that it becomes second nature. We write as naturally as we breathe.
So let’s get practical. How do we transition from calling ourselves writers to truly experiencing it?
It starts with action. Don’t wait for inspiration to strike. Set aside dedicated time each day to write, whether you feel like it or not. Engage with other writers, take courses, and seek feedback to improve your craft.
Remember, being a writer is less about the label and more about the consistent, daily action of writing. As you fill your pages, you’ll experience growth in your skills, a deepening love for your craft, and an authentic claim to the title of writer. You don’t need to wait for anyone’s approval. Give yourself permission to be a writer and commit to the daily practice of writing. This is the path to truly becoming and experiencing life as a writer.
So how do we transform the abstract into something tangible—such as a published book, a positive review, an enriched education, or personal growth as a writer? It’s simple: you have to do it. Action. Interaction.
Every book you read, every life event, every conversation, every mundane or extraordinary moment you experience—these all hold the potential for inspiration. You’re like an observing spy among all the people around you. The key lies in your ability to translate these experiences into your writing. The process might seem challenging at first, especially when you’re staring at a blank page. However, remember, the words you write today will be the stepping stones for the stories you tell tomorrow.
Don’t just consume books; analyze them. Delve deep into the author’s writing style, the narrative structure, and the character arcs. These elements are not just meant to be read but experienced, absorbed, and then reimagined in your own unique writing, your voice.
Similarly, the activities of your day, no matter how insignificant they might seem, are potential fuel for your writing. The morning coffee you sip, the park you pass on your way to work, the laughter of a child, telling the dog to please quit barking, or the change of seasons—everything can be an inspiration if observed closely. A short story, a poem, an essay, a book: these will follow.
Don’t just talk about writing; do it.
Only through action can we transform our dreams into reality. Your daily dedication to writing will inevitably translate into something tangible: perhaps a finished book manuscript, a well-received review, or simply personal growth as a writer.
Ultimately, the key to mastering the art of writing lies in the act of writing itself. So take that pen or open that laptop and start writing. It doesn’t have to be perfect. What’s important is that you’re taking action. Every word you write, every page you fill brings you one step closer to becoming the writer you aspire to be. In the end, it’s not about talking the talk but walking the walk. Or, if we want to parallel that: you become the key by pressing the keys. So go ahead, take the plunge and immerse yourself in the experience of writing. Put it into action.
After all, you are a writer, and writers write.
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