Jared Morrison
Just. Write. I don't normally subscribe to that word-period-word-period nonsense, but I don't know how else to emphasize this. Or take any one of the million quotes out there about writing for inspiration, such as "You can't edit a blank page." If you're looking at someone who has published a book and you're feeling daunted by the idea that you haven't (yet), the only thing that separates you from that person is. that. they. wrote. In fact, it's one of the things I love most about writing--whether you're Stephen King or Margaret Atwood or lil' ol' you, the process is exactly the same.
No matter how many books you read, seminars or classes you attend, rituals you put in place, character bios you write or perfect background-music playlists you create, nothing will substitute sitting at your keyboard and actually putting words on the screen (or page, if you're a long-hander). King and Atwood have to do the exact same thing. IT DOES NOT MATTER IF WHAT YOU WRITE THAT DAY IS BAD. (I didn't want to do the word-period-word thing again.) That's what editing is for.
To throw you a bit of a bone, I'd highly recommend reading "On Writing," by the aforementioned King. I believe everything you need to know is in there, and if nothing else, he mentions that if you want to be a writer, there are two things you must do above all else: read a lot, and write a lot. And without the latter, you'll never have your book. Read On Writing, and write every day, even if it's only 500 words, until you have something.
Pardon the rant, but I just never understand it when I hear or see someone say they're an "Aspiring Writer." Stop aspiring! Just do! Then you're a writer. I get it--I was terrified at one time too. But the only way around it was through it, or a million other pithy platitudes. Just write. Right now. Go on, stop reading my Goodreads page (right after you review Of Dreams and Angels ;-)) and go write your first 500 words. I'll even read them, if you want.
No matter how many books you read, seminars or classes you attend, rituals you put in place, character bios you write or perfect background-music playlists you create, nothing will substitute sitting at your keyboard and actually putting words on the screen (or page, if you're a long-hander). King and Atwood have to do the exact same thing. IT DOES NOT MATTER IF WHAT YOU WRITE THAT DAY IS BAD. (I didn't want to do the word-period-word thing again.) That's what editing is for.
To throw you a bit of a bone, I'd highly recommend reading "On Writing," by the aforementioned King. I believe everything you need to know is in there, and if nothing else, he mentions that if you want to be a writer, there are two things you must do above all else: read a lot, and write a lot. And without the latter, you'll never have your book. Read On Writing, and write every day, even if it's only 500 words, until you have something.
Pardon the rant, but I just never understand it when I hear or see someone say they're an "Aspiring Writer." Stop aspiring! Just do! Then you're a writer. I get it--I was terrified at one time too. But the only way around it was through it, or a million other pithy platitudes. Just write. Right now. Go on, stop reading my Goodreads page (right after you review Of Dreams and Angels ;-)) and go write your first 500 words. I'll even read them, if you want.
More Answered Questions
About Goodreads Q&A
Ask and answer questions about books!
You can pose questions to the Goodreads community with Reader Q&A, or ask your favorite author a question with Ask the Author.
See Featured Authors Answering Questions
Learn more