I recently had a conversation with an extremely imaginative young man, who had his series of four books outlined and sub-outlined, with character assessments on his protagonist and antagonist. His descriptions of the plot and the sub-plots were fascinating and he read the first two chapters to me. It was engrossing. And then I asked him:
"Do you write every day?"
"No, if I did, I'd probably have at least the first book finished!"
His answer saddened me. Because his dream of finishing this series of books was waiting on the right mood, inspiration, or whatever else it takes to get a few pages beat out at the computer. It was the sign of an amateur. Not that we should all quit our day jobs and spend the day before the keyboard, but by creating that time to hone our craft, things start to happen. Stories get finished, where before they would sit and gather cyberdust.
If you want to write like a professional, you will tackle that manuscript head on every day (except for designated days off) and stick to that schedule no matter what. Personally, my goal is to write 1000 words a day. That doesn't mean you write schlock when you are stuck, it means that you can do the research writing, or write in your journal until you are unblocked. But whatever you do, make sure that it's writing.
There's something about writing that ensures you that you'll be able to write more. The creative process needs that consistent flow of words, or if you're an artist, the continual drawing. And, you'll discover as you write more and more, your craft becomes better and better. You develop your own style and are more sure of yourself. Your attitude towards your craft changes. All these things add up to professionalism.
Acting like a professional by sticking to a schedule is the first step to writing like a pro. I'll talk about other things you can do later. It's good to work on one task at a time. If you are already writing everyday, give yourself a pat on the back and then ask yourself: What else am I doing to write like a pro? And then share it with us so we can all learn for your experiences, okay?
Good point! An author once said that you can only become a successful author when you not only see writing as a hobby, but treat it as a normal job.
ReplyDeleteThat's a good point too! When you sit down every day like you were going to work, you develop the habit of expectation of yourself. You know you need to write and you begin doing it - every day. That is how a job works. It's all in your attitude.
DeleteIt does take a lot of writing. My writing now is different than a year ago ... it keeps getting better. There are so many layers to fiction writing that I think it just takes practice for most of us to begin knitting all those layers together.
ReplyDeleteSetting goals and deadlines help. When your friend is ready, he'll get more serious. When that is, will be different for everybody.
I agree with you, that it takes practice. And the stories I wrote a year ago I cringe at some of the writing. We grow by leaps and bounds if we apply ourselves.
DeleteYes, everyone is different in their growth.
Great article, now i have to go cause i have some writing to do.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Edward! I understand how that is. I had to schedule in time for my blog so I would have time for writing also.
DeleteLove this post. Every word was true. Some days it's harder to write than others.
ReplyDeleteSusan, I have those days also, as do all writers. That's when you sit down and act like it was your 'other' job. Or, start with your journal (if you have one). That's a great way to warm up the creative juices.
DeleteI heard once that writing is like a using a muscle. The more you use it, the stronger it gets! :) The same goes for any skill or talent. ^^ :) You just have to keep at it!
ReplyDeleteAmanda: How very true. That's a good example, a muscle. We get better as we exercise our muscle.
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