You’re a writer, right?
You either blog frequently, write articles regularly, contribute to books, submit guest posts, or might even be drafting that future memoir or novel.
So that makes you a great writer, right?
Wrong.
Being a writer just means that you write, not that you’re any good.
And here’s the rub. You may never be any good. Because not everyone can be a great writer.
You might write prolifically, from the heart, and with absolute passion. You might seek and receive positive affirmations from family, friends and peers. You might think you’ve achieved your ultimate goal. You’re writing and you’re obviously great at what you do.
But how can you ever be sure? Because a fellow blogger tells you?
You can try to do something about it. To hone and perfect your craft. To make yourself as good a writer as you could ever wish to be.
You can start by slowing down, learning from others, and appreciating the actual writing process itself.
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| Photo credit: Dave Morrison (Flickr Creative Commons) |
Lesson 1: Slow down and enjoy the ride
Why are we always in such a rush to achieve? To be the best. To gain sudden gratification. To reach the destination without appreciating the road by which we got there.
In a world of instant messaging and simultaneous downloads, we’ve become hardwired to want everything right here, right now. We’ve forgotten what it means to experience the long process towards becoming a good, or even great, writer.
You and I need to slow down, take our time, and savour what it is we’ve declared ourselves to be.
The path to good writing cannot be hurried. It’s a process of learning. It’s a process of intimately understanding our craft. It’s a process of practice, practice, and more practice.
Impatience is a killer. Good writing takes longer than you think.
Take the slow boat to better writing and great things will eventually come.
Lesson 2: Listen and learn from others
You can’t claim to be a great writer without learning from other great writers. Unless you’re lucky and one of the chosen few, you weren’t born with the full suite of writing skills (although I’m sure you’re not far off).
You therefore need to learn – and keep on learning. People who write well don’t ever stop listening and they never stop learning. They purposefully digest information but, most importantly, they learn from others.
I follow a number of writing-related sites that I find are crucial to better learning the craft, whether it be for blogging, article writing, or thinking about that possible first fiction novel. Some of my favourite writing gurus include Kristin Bair O’Keeffe, Joanna Penn, Jody Hedlund and Jeff Goins. Other sites such as Copyblogger and ProBlogger are just as good.
These guys are excellent at their craft (as authors, self-publishers, novel writers, bloggers) but they didn’t get there overnight. They work hard at it – and it shows. And they aren’t giving you a secret recipe to achieving immediate success.
They’re showing you how to get there.
I follow these writing sites and I learn from what they share. Some advice I ignore, some I follow. I pick and choose, taste and appreciate. But I don’t assume these folks will give me the magic number because they can’t and they won’t.
All the same, they will set me on my way.
Lesson 3: See good writing as a journey not a destination
Good writing takes time to master, great writing takes even longer.
This is a long haul, a journey of writerly discovery and enlightenment. Once you realise this, you’re already well on your way.
You may never reach the end. The goalposts will change. The advice doesn’t stop coming. No true writer worth his or her salt ever believes their craft is truly mastered and this is the way it is. Stick at it and you’ll see the results – and feel more confident in sharing your work because your homework is being done.
My own writing journey started the day I realised good writing was a process not an end result.
I started this blog. I wanted to recount my journey from there to here. I believed that my search was entirely about travel and a burning desire to carve out a new life abroad.
That was only part of it. My real journey was one of writing. I had an itch and it needed a damn good scratch.
I constantly learn from teachers like Jody, Jeff, Joanna and Kristin. I incorporate changes, tweak this, alter that. I ask questions and I practice non-stop. This is no quick win and I’m in it for the long haul.
Two month’s ago, I was a finalist in the Sydney Writer’s Centre Best Australian Blogs 2012 and I have no doubt these three lessons were key to my minor success.
As a writer, it’s your responsibility to be the very best you can be. You’re accountable for the words you place on a page. So if you take one thing away from this post, take this.
The art of good writing isn’t a destination but a lifelong state of mind. You may never get there, but you’ll be a much better writer for the journey you take.
Now let’s get to it. We’ve got work to do.
What have you learned on your own writing journey? What writing-related sites would you recommend to others?
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I’ve been a writer for a long time, have many published books and still I’m learning. I’m forever reading with a pencil in my hand (which is harder with a reader) and am always finding new things to learn. It never ends and I like it that way.
I love lesson 3 and I wholeheartedly agree. You continually evolve.
All of it, so true. The same could be said of any craft I imagine 🙂
Thanks Kelly. Lesson 3 is an important one. You won’t get there overnight but make sure you enjoy the journey along the way 🙂
Thanks Sara. I’m sure you’re right. Equally applicable to your obvious love of cooking and appreciation of good food? 😉
Thanks for your comment, Miss Footloose. Really appreciate the perspective of a published author.
I think that’s what I find I also like about the craft. You can never truly claim to have finished learning and that continual learning process is appealing (if not a little frustrating!). Plans for a new book soon?
Great post Russell, thank you for sharing!
I have found Julia Cameron’s The Artist’s Way an invaluable tool for my writing journey. And what’s more, every time I read it and go through the exercises I continue to learn something, whether it’s about my writing or about myself – I agree it’s a never-ending process, but that is part of the fun for me because I love to learn.
I agree Russell. Writing is a journey, not a destination and it’s also a muscle that needs to be stretched and worked and fed with good nutrients, regularly.
Love that description, Johanna. Never stop learning. And never stop writing. When I have time off or a break in my writing, I feel worse for it and find myself out of practice. Do you?
Thanks for the comment 🙂
Thanks for the recommendation, Carrie! I’d forgotten about this book. I’ve only ever read from someone else’s photocopies but I remember it being full of useful exercises. I need to get it for myself.
Talking of creativity, have you seen Elizabeth Gilbert’s TED talk on nurturing creativity. It’s quite a moving yet also humourous presentation. Have a look here – http://www.ted.com/talks/lang/en/elizabeth_gilbert_on_genius.html
Thanks again 🙂
Slowing down to enjoy the ride is a great tip. When we rush, we miss all the good stuff. Thx for the reminders!
We sure do. The journey / the getting there is the fun part. Thanks for stopping by.
I’ve read so many ‘how to write’ blogs, and books – I think my advice now is to get on and enjoy the writing. And if you stop enjoying it – then stop writing. Writing can be such a struggle at times the only possible justification is that it gives us pleasure. (Oh yes, there’s the recognition, knowing people love you – but if that’s the motivation you might be better off getting a dog. He will never send a rejection!)
You’re welcome! It’s a great book, and in fact I recently bought her ‘follow-on’ book, Walking In This World, and currently going through that one. It really helps me when I feel stuck!
Yes I have seen Elizabeth Gilbert’s TED talk and I really enjoyed it. Another ‘tool’ to be inspired/motivated by 🙂
TED is my new-found resource for inspiration and motivation. Just run a search on ‘creativity’ and you’ll be amazed at what comes back.
I’ll also keep an eye out for Walking In This World 🙂
Thanks, Jo. I know what you mean. Sometimes the time spent reading umpteen blogs and books on writing could be better spent just writing!
I’ve tried to limit myself to two or three – and that’s it. Anything more and it becomes a chore plus a bit overwhelming!
Congratulations on your nomination – well-deserved!
Thanks for your helpful tips, especially the links to writing-related sites that you’ve found are worth following. I looked for these kinds of sites when I first started my blog, but got discouraged and gave up after finding too many which were more about quick-fix ways to increase readership as swiftly as possible than how to be, fundamentally, a better writer. I agree with you that great writing takes time, effort, practice, and humility!
Thanks Katriina. I hope you find some of those sites useful.
I have also spent far too much time looking at ‘be a great writer quick’ type blogs or websites. I would say that these suggestions are more practical, based on real world experience. Lately, Jeff Goins has started to write more about increasing followers, gaining influence, etc. so his is a watching brief.
One that I didn’t mention which I thoroughly recommend is James Killick’s blog. I subscribe to it by email and always find the posts useful. Here it is – http://jameskillick.blogspot.com.au/
Excellent tips. Need to tweet this one now!!
Thanking you kindly. Now get tweeting! 🙂
I am inspired to get writing again – you reminded me how pleasurable the journey is!
That’s great to hear – keep me posted on how that journey goes, be it long or short!