Being a Writer

I have not made the conscious decision that I am a writer.  I write…that’s easy to say.  However, I have found that I don’t feel confident enough to say, “I’m a writer.”  Because then I will have to prove myself, and I don’t know how to prove that I’m a writer.  I guess it’s difficult because writing is subjective; some may love it, some may hate it.  I guess I’m afraid of those who may hate it.  I suppose no matter what profession you are in you’re going to make mistakes, but I think it’s harder to deal with when that mistake is in hard copy.  If only I were a chef…I could eat my mistakes.

Writing as a Routine

While reading Anne Lamott’s book Bird by Bird, I found myself completely relating to her process of writing.  She describes sitting in front of the computer staring at the blank word processor, thinking about what else needs to be done…perhaps about what would be good to watch on tv, getting up and wandering around aimlessly, sitting back down and staring at the blank page again, getting back up to get something to eat etc.  All this time I’ve thought to myself, how could I truly be a writer if this is what I always end up doing; or I thought I might need a prescription for adderall because I must be suffering from ADD.  I thought all good writers could sit down and just write for hours.  Yes I’ve heard of a thing called writer’s block, but I thought that happened once in a blue moon.  It was very comforting to hear a published writer explain the same scenario I experience every time I sit down to write.  She also offered somewhat of a solution; develop a daily routine.  She suggested to have a set time when you write every day.  Whether it’s 9 in the morning or 10 at night it is helpful to make a routine out of it.  I think it is a good way to kind of prep your brain.

Poetry

I love poetry.  Some of the pieces that move me the most are poems; I love how they can be so profound in such few words.  I think that, for most writers, when we are overwhelmed with a certain emotion we quickly turn to poetry.  They always have meaning and a purpose.  As much as I love poetry, I rarely write it.  For me, the act of writing poetry is a strange one.  I cannot just sit down and set out to write a poem.  When I do write a poem I feel that it is hardly my choice, that the words aren’t even mine.  A feeling comes over me and I am just compelled to write; I feel like a vehicle for some outside force.  The emotion is inescapable and the words just flow.

Organization

Whenever I write papers, long or short, I just sit down with ideas jumbling in my head and write.  I have never been able to bring myself to create outlines.  However, I was required to create an overview of a 15-page research paper, and I have found that breaking my ideas down into specific categories is very helpful.  It also makes me think of new ideas that I may not have addressed otherwise.  Even though I have just started considering my topic and have not gone in depth with it yet, my outline has provided me with clarity and a mission.

Conciseness

At last, I am involved in a class where being concise is valued.  I have been told by teachers in the past that my writing is too succinct.  Therefore, I’ve developed a sort of insecurity with writing where I always feel like I need to add to it.  This pressure always becomes most apparent when I need to fulfill a length requirement.  Most students have developed the skill of “bull-crapping” a paper.  Well, I can’t bull-crap to save my life.  Instead of dwelling on length, I try focus on quality (accomplishing my task), and if I’ve done that then I’m satisfied. 

To me, writing is a way to express and share our perspectives.  I love reading pieces that teach me something or convey a familiar idea in a new way.  I think works of writing are important because they enable us to spread our ideas to countless people.