Hello, my name is Ron Snider.
To be a writer, you need to read a lot and you need to write a lot. By doing this, you learn how to get your author's voice or writing style, which is the quality that makes their writing unique.
When it comes to writing, to quote the author Ann Rice, and I must say she is spot on about this, she says, "The great thing about our profession is, there are no rules.
Think for a moment: if you want to be a classic ballet dancer, or you want to be a great Violinist, a Symphony conductor, or you want to be a painter or a movie maker, all of those fields contain apprenticeships, personal instruction, time practicing, many, many rules that one has to go by.
However, the writer's profession contains none of that; no rules are involved.
All a person needs is a computer, word processor software, a typewriter, or even a pencil and paper, that’s it. Then, find a place to be alone with your thoughts; for example, sit at your kitchen table or in a bedroom and begin.
Remember when I said, "you need to read a lot… and you need to write a lot," this is where reading comes into play. Write the stuff you are interested in reading so you know something about it.
When you write, don't rush yourself; you need to relax.
When I was writing my first book, The Darkling War, it took over 20 years to finish.
However, I was not interested in writing a book for others to read, and being published didn't enter my mind. I was writing to please myself. Back then, I was not dedicated to writing every day as a professional writer is. During those years of writing for myself, I was working and raising two kids. I was only spending the time to write when I felt like it, usually at night or on a Saturday, and I never had the time to write on Sundays because I was always busy with church activities.
Now, I am dedicated to writing every day as a professional writer. I write at 10 o'clock every night and stop at 3 o'clock every morning, seven days a week. If you add it all up, I write 35 hours a week.
Finally, many years later, I completed my book and laid it off to the side. Then, the day came that changed my life forever; my wife picked up my book, which was written by hand using many notebooks, and read it without putting it down. Afterward, she said, you really have something here. You should try to have it published.
Now that I have my second book out, The Parallel Land, and my third book, The Deities Prophecy, I figure the second and third books have taken a year each to write.
If you do not have a computer or word processor, don't get disheartened; find a pencil and paper and begin.
When I started writing The Darkling War, home computers had little access. I didn't even own a typewriter; it wouldn't have done me any good if I had; back in those earlier years, I didn't know how to type.
However, I did have a strong desire to write. So, not to be discouraged, I went to the store and bought myself a mechanical pencil for no reason other than I thought it was cool to look at and a 70-page narrow rule notebook to write in.
When I was through with the 424-page book, all handwritten, I started on the rewrites, which were done by writing by hand.
Eventually, the book needed to be typed out to be presentable to send off.
So, I purchased a laptop and all the stacks of notebooks I had; I had to type. By the time I was through working my way through the notebooks, I knew how to type.
There are three important steps to follow if you want to become a writer:
NUMBER 1. Find inspiration.
To become a successful writer, it's crucial to have various ideas, feelings, and experiences that inspire you, especially if you want to be a creative writer. Spending more time outdoors or doing a hobby you enjoy can provide you with inspiration. You may also try listening to music, engaging in a new hobby or activity, going for a walk, and people-watching. You can also brainstorm and collaborate with other writers when you're looking for inspiration.
NUMBER 2. Consider the type of writing you're interested in.
Since writing is such a broad industry, try narrowing down what you want to write. Once you've identified the style and genre you want to write, you can better focus on honing skills in that specific category. Some writing categories include:
Creative writing: Creative writers use storytelling techniques and imaginative language to create unique pieces in a variety of genres, including fiction, drama, and poetry. Their fiction writing may be more experimental or stylized than other works, and they typically focus on character development, settings, and themes.
Nonfiction writing: Nonfiction writers create pieces based on real experiences, people, or events, often seeking to inform, educate, or persuade readers. They may develop texts in various genres, including memoir, biography, and history, all requiring accuracy and significant research.
Journalistic writing: Journalists or journalistic writers typically report on news and current events, making it essential for their pieces to be objective and factually accurate. Their pieces may include news articles, feature stories, and investigative journalism involving interviews and gathering information from multiple sources.
Business writing: Business writers create documents and briefs to communicate information with clients, colleagues, and corporate stakeholders. Individuals in this field may be copywriters or content writers and can create email newsletters, white papers, reports, proposals, and presentations.
Academic writing: Professors, graduate students, and other university staff may complete academic writing pieces, including research papers, essays, and dissertations. They typically focus on creating and communicating evidence-based arguments, citing their sources, and ensuring their writing is clear and organized.
NUMBER 3. Read more.
To become a good writer, being a good reader is essential. To understand what you want to write, you may want to consider what you like or don't like reading. There are several advantages to reading regularly when pursuing a career as a writer, including:
Expanding your vocabulary: When writers read, they encounter new words and phrases to add to their writing. This can help them better articulate their ideas and create more nuanced and compelling prose.
Assisting with research: When writers are researching a particular topic, reading can provide them with background information and context. They need to have strong reading skills and the ability to review or skim information to find the required details for their research.
Gaining a better understanding of storytelling: Reading helps writers understand how stories are constructed, including plot, character development, and dialogue. By analyzing and deconstructing other authors' works, writers can improve their own storytelling abilities.
Self-Improvement: Reading can help writers improve their critical thinking and analytical skills, essential for effective writing. By reading works that challenge their assumptions or beliefs, writers can become more reflective, empathetic, and self-aware.
You may begin to include new concepts or writing tactics subconsciously by reading as much as possible. The more you read, the better your writing can get and the more distinct your voice may become. Visit your local library or bookstore, or ask your family and friends for book recommendations if you want to go outside your reading comfort zone.
My friends, we have come to the end of this blog. I truly appreciate your taking the time to read my writing; your readership is important to me.
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