Claim Your Writer’s Identity

So, you write well and aspire to be a writer? Here’s how to fully embrace that identity and hone your craft.

Admit, Accept, Declare

The first step to becoming a writer is to passionately admit that you are one. Embrace your passion and tell your closest family and friends. Tell everyone if you like. Believe in yourself and your message – your voice needs to be heard and the writing needs to be done. Accepting that you’re a writer will motivate you to write more and better.

No TV

This might seem random, but the second step is to throw away your TV. If you’re just starting out as a writer, your television should be the first thing to go. It’s “poisonous to creativity,” according to Stephen King. Also, disconnect yourself from any potential distractions, such as the internet, your phone, or even a friend (#imsorry), and Netflix.

Focus

Don’t try to write about everything, at least not at the same time. Have a focus. Know your niche and your style. Choose a topic or a chapter and write about it as much as possible for a set period of time. This also applies to long-term focus. Limit yourself to writing in just a couple of areas of expertise. It’s an easier way to get recognised. Your readers will know they can rely on you for specific knowledge.

Write Every Day

Write when the ideas are flowing. Write even more when there’s nothing to write about. This post is being written because I lost my momentum last weekend and didn’t write for over a week. So I just write (actually not knowing where I was going at first).

Write to give value to people and to inspire others, but more importantly, write for yourself. Like this post of mine, it’s written for me, who didn’t write anything for a week, and it’s for all of you who are just like me – people who lose their writing voices. It’s for those of us who are not sure whether or not to be a writer.

Having those thoughts, whether you’re good enough to even write, like a war inside your head, already says that you’re one of us. Keep writing, believe you can write, and recognise that you’re really (and already) a writer.

Additional Tips for Aspiring Writers

Read Widely and Critically

To improve your writing, read widely and critically. Analyse the works of other writers, understand their techniques, and apply them to your own writing.

Join a Writing Community

Consider joining a writing community. Engaging with other writers can provide support, feedback, and motivation. Websites like WritersCafe and Scribophile are great places to start.

Keep Learning

Writing is a craft that requires continuous learning. Take writing courses, attend workshops, and read books on writing. Websites like Coursera and edX offer numerous courses on writing.