5 Ways You Are Already a Writer!
And how you’ve probably convinced yourself that you are not
Welcome! You’ve read/heard the pilot episode. Now for episode two! If you’d like to hear me read this in my own voice, then click here: (Music by FASSounds from Pixabay.)
4 minute read
We have just had the autumnal equinox when hours of day equal hours of night. Libra season has stepped in so it’s all about balance right now. As a close friend of mine reminded me, those born under the sun sign of Libra are prone to indecision. I can relate (Libra rising sign here) - it is tricky when you’re pulled this way and that. Will I, won’t I? Am I, aren’t I?
If you are deciding whether or not you are a writer, you probably already have some idea in your mind about what a writer looks like, acts like and does on a daily basis. It may have to do with class, academic status, perceived skill, privilege (or not), ethnicity, money and so on. I wonder what Shakespeare would look like if he was a writer in the 21st century (answers on a postcard please).
What ideas are percolating in your brain right now? A writer spends all day writing or reading in bourjois coffee shops? Or has an extensive library at home and a rich spouse so they have no pressures or stresses about following their dream? Perhaps the opposite. A starving artist struggling to make ends meet, spending time with creative arty types, wearing scarves and colourful clothing.
Yes, I will admit to some very general stereotyping there. I fit none of those descriptions. I work three days a week as an advisory teacher for special educational needs, and two active days a week as an acupuncturist running my own business. I don’t read as much as I’d like and I don’t write as much as I’d like but I am addressing that balance.
I recently listened to a podcast that described a writer as being someone who had shared their writing publicly and opened themselves up to critique and opinion. So before Shakespeare starting sharing his work, was he not a writer? Are we only acknowledged as a writer if we are a professional as in paid to write? Commissioned? Published?
A wonderful person I did a workshop with basically told me if you write, you are a writer. There are no hard and fast rules and no one can proclaim an identity for you. That comes from within. But what about when I wasn’t actively writing? Was I still a writer then?
For me, it boils down to these five things:
You think about writing or being a writer
You talk about writing
You have ideas, visions, words in your head that you want to transfer to the page
You have the ability to transform what is in your head to words on a page
You convince yourself you’re not a writer!
I’m not saying that you have to meet all of this ‘criteria’ but just consider each one. They say that we are not granted a dream without the means to make it become a reality. If we are so closed off when the muse of inspiration comes to press our fancy Ring doorbell, we will miss out if our notifications and alerts are switched off. If we don’t answer the call, they will just try the next house.
The last point alludes to that ever familiar entity - imposter syndrome. I don’t know whether this ever goes away. One day after receiving positive feedback, I’m feeling confident with my head up high. The next day after reading or hearing someone amazing, I shrink. I’m a Lilliputian in the land of Brobdingnag (Gulliver’s Travels). Too small to be noticed or bothered with (well, that’s what the thoughts in my head say). But the best compliment I had about my own book was when someone said I had taken the thoughts out of their head and turned them into beautiful words. Yes, I did that. I have to remind myself. If you have any inclination, desire or yearning to be a writer, the likelihood is that you are one but maybe don’t know or accept it yet.
Look at the image below. You have what you need. What will it take to strike the match and light that flame? I think we have ample darkness so let’s rebalance. The seed is sown, you have the tools. What will it take to action your desires?
Takeaway: Take time to get quiet with yourself and ask the question. Am I a writer? See what comes back and don’t be afraid to ask more than once.
Listen to the poem here:
A concrete block Residing in my body Long term lease Without it I don’t know my body Tight neck and shoulders Stiff hips Swollen joints Bloated belly A release is needed An outlet, escape Back to universal Feel and flow Moving in tandem with All energy Around the entwining Symbol of infinity First a trickle Then a gentle stream Pulsing out Expanding to A torrent An overflow, the flood No dam can hold back It’s not of tears I speak But emotion Energy in motion Moving through me And out of me In the form of words Freed at last No longer held prisoner Held back Or denied Unshackling of words Liberation of my voice Sets my body free Allows my spirit to soar This is why I write. © 2022 Sarah Elliott Click here for more from me
Sharing time! Was there a turning point, event or conversation where you finally decided that you were a writer? Please click reply and let me know!
Next time: Six things it takes to sustain being a writer - you’ve come out of the writers’ closet and now what?
Warrior Wisdom Sun: Poems on battle, lessons and liberation
Buy Warrior Wisdom Sun: Poems on battle, lessons and liberation by Elliott, Sarah from Amazon's Fiction Books Store…www.amazon.co.uk