Can I Write?
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_____Can you write? Yes, you can. The truth is that anyone with an imagination can write. Just like anyone with vocal chords can sing. Now, as with singing, how well you write depends on how much time and energy you invest in cultivating the skill. _____Why should you write? Writing can be a (sometimes theraputic) form of self expression. Feelings that you want to express but still want to shield from the outside world can go in a diary or journal. Get tongue tied when trying to tell that certain lady how you feel? A love letter or a poem will do. Anger, hurt, sad, frustration: writing about it can help you calm down and put the situation in perspective. Feel incredibly happy or overjoyed? Writing can help you capture that moment forever. _____How can writing do this? When you write fiction or poetry you have something that you do not have in real life: complete control of the world you create. Your co-worker take credit for a project you completed? In your story, an evil co-worker will get exactly what's coming to her. Having a hard time finding the right woman? In your epic poem, a woman may have a Mrs. Right for everyday of the week. What people say and do, the situations they find themselves in -- all of it is in your hands. _____You may write simply because you enjoy it, because you are enthralled by the power of the written word. Perhaps you want to challenge yourself by describing Oohzee's body in a haiku. Wonder what would happen if your favorite female singer came out by publicly thanking her lover at an awards ceremony? The story is yours to write. _____Almost any excuse to write is a good one, except one: writing to get rich. If you start writing because you think you are going to hit the financial jackpot, you will probably not get far in your career. Getting published does not guarantee money or fame. You may have the talent of Terry McMillian or Alice Walker, but, unfortunately, great writing itself is not enough to make a person a literary superstar. _____Everything I've said about writing can be said about other creative outlets. Maybe you can best express yourself creatively through drawing/painting, singing, etc. Perhaps you sing when you are frustrated, but write when you want to exercise your imagination. Perhaps you write when you are angry, but draw when your spirits are up. Perhaps writing does not appeal to you at all. That's fine too. Not wanting to write is not the same as not being able to write. _____You can write. The real question to ask yourself is: Do you want to write well? If you answer "yes," the next section can help you understand the writing process. |
