What is your process?

From my Authors Guild Bulletin:

Norman Mailer claimed that it took him 20 years to learn to write. "I moved from being an amateur to being a professional. A professional can do a decent day's work even on a bad day. You have to work. It's as hard to write as it is to learn to play the piano well.

I keep hearing the same questions over and over again and so thought I it would be a good thing to start answering them here. One of the biggest questions is, how do you become a writer?

You write.

Yep, that is it. You probably didn't want to hear that answer.

So is it simple? My first inclination is to say that if it was that easy more people would be doing it instead of talking about it.

Writers write because they can't help it.

When I first met with a screenwriter to discuss a cooperative project he told me, "You are a writer." I laughed and asked why he said that. "Because you are always writing something." Turns out that he was paying attention to something I still had not realized.

So write--and if you want to get better and become a published author continue to write. AND read, learn about the craft, write more, and spend time meeting and getting to know others who write.

The Alliance of Writers attracted a wide variety of people when we met regularly. At one time we had over 130 participants (18-26 weekly regulars). With the growth came change. Suddenly there was a mix of serious writers--and those who just wanted to talk about writing.

Writers write, they do talk, but they spend more time writing.

Which one are you?

One of the Alliance members was worried about her skill level as she began to query editors and publishing houses. When she read, the group members all morphed into five year olds in excited anticipation of story time. She called me up and paced as we chatted, and as she lamented about her lack of skill, out of my mouth came these words:

Anyone can right but not everyone has talent--you have talent.

She does have talent but she isn't published--YET. This woman is so talented it is scary. In the meantime, she writes, edits, and writes more.

Talent doesn't necessarily mean you will have success. Can you forge ahead and develop skills and make it anyway? Yes, I believe you can.

Even with three books out, I still feel that I am not as strong of a writer as I might be--but I still write. I write every day. Is it perfect? No, but I write anyway.

Is there a magic formula to writing? A specific time? Place? Ceremony?

Yes, sit down and write!