What Makes a Writer?

"Writers are just people who have a whole lot on the inside that they need to get to the outside, with pen and paper as their preferred method of transport." - Graycie Harmon

"There's nothing to writing. All you do is sit down at a typewriter and open a vein." - Walter Wellesley "Red" Smith

Some people assume to be a writer, you must have the desire to be published one day. Or maybe you have to be one of those people who spends all their time writing and re-writing, checking spelling and grammar and all that fun stuff. Not true. Anyone can be a writer, even those who didn't exactly get "A"s in English.

The purpose of writing isn't to use big words that most readers would need a dictionary to define or to even have readers. The purpose of writing is to take what you have in your mind or your heart and transfer it to paper. You don't need to be a word wizard. You don't need to be a great story teller. Just find a pen and notebook or open up Word on your computer and begin.

Now you must ask yourself: how?

I liked "Red" Smith's statement, "...open a vein". Everyone has a story they want to tell, whether it's to a massive audience or to the lines of their paper. Maybe you've had an idea for a while and you wish someone would take that idea from you and write a book. YOU can write that book. Give it a try. Or others maybe just had a crappy day and they don't feel like anyone is listening to them. Writing is like therapy...only free. Carve every emotion you have on paper, and you'll feel so much better.

Once you find what's inside of you, let it go. You're not allowed to keep secrets from the notebook. Slice that vein open and bleed all over the page. Put down your hopes, your dreams. Write about your fears, your confusion, your uncertainty. People are great listeners when they want to be, but pen and paper exist to hear you.

So what if you can't remember the difference between "to", "two", or "too"? Who cares if you misspell every word you write or forget to capitalize names? It doesn't matter in the beginning. Just write for the sake of putting down thoughts, experiences, and feelings.

Of course, if you want to be published, you have to be concerned with grammar. But the point of having a rough draft is to make it rough. The first time around, put everything down you can think of. When the next drafts come around, then you can smooth out the bumpy road.

Just remember, writing is supposed to be fun. No matter what you write or why, it needs to be enjoyable, or there's simply no point to it.

Happy writing!