Why I'm A Writer
I've been querying agents since 2017, but it's really been only a year since I decided to take my writing career seriously.
And by 'seriously' I mean that I started writing every day, pushing myself past my comfort zone, and dedicating myself to writing one book every month. I'm a full-time writer now instead of a write-whenever-I-feel-like-it writer.
It's been difficult, sure, but rewarding, too. Today, I've decided to share why I wanted to become a writer.
Well, 'become' is a funny word. I had no choice in the matter. Writing is a calling, not a decision - and you have no control over it.
I was always a writer, even as a kid. I remember writing stories - especially science fiction - when I was six years old. (They were horrible, mind you, but it was a starting point. They made me realize my love of writing. Hey, we have to write terrible stories before we can write good ones.)
I was bullied a lot, and I didn't have many friends - except my cat - so writing my my outlet. It was the only place I could express my emotions, ideas, and dreams, and not be ridiculed for them.
I was so good at it that I won awards at school and made my sixth grade teacher cry because she thought a poem I had written was touching. (This didn't help my lackluster popularity, by the way.)
Now, 14 years later at age 20, I'm still writing. It's been a constant in my ever-changing life.
Writing gives me a thrill that nothing else can.
Getting to create worlds and breathe life into characters is a truly wonderful experience. I can't fathom why more people don't want to be writers. It's empowering. More than that, it's just fun.
I write to change the world.
It sounds dramatic, but it's true. I try to write about universal things - grief, loss, friendship, love, and so forth. Things that every can relate to. When I meet readers who say that my books changed their lives or their outlook on the world, it makes my heart swell. We need more stories that inspire hope.
Writing gives me a purpose in life.
It's more than just a hobby. It's something I have to look forward to every day. It brings a smile to my face and makes me feel complete. Some people waltz through life not knowing where they belong or what they're supposed to be doing. They die unfulfilled and confused. But when I'm writing, I can feel the magic spilling onto the page. It's hard to describe it, but when you find your passion in life - your true calling - you'll know that it's right for you.
Writing is my saving grace. I've struggled with depression, anxiety, agoraphobia, and OCD my entire life. Writing makes me forget about my problems - even for a little while. When I'm writing, I'm in the zone. I'm completely focused. It numbs my pain while I weave worlds and characters, and I can honestly say I've never had that feeling from other activities.
Simply, I'm a writer because I don't know how to be anything else.
Writing is in my blood. It's something I'll be doing for the rest of my life, until my last breath.
No matter how much rejection, failure, or disappointment I face, you'll always find me at my desk, starting a new story. It can be daunting to write a novel - and even more daunting to attempt to live the life of a writer - but if it's your passion, you won't regret it.
I know I don't.
As always, thanks for reading!
Sincerely,
Dana
And by 'seriously' I mean that I started writing every day, pushing myself past my comfort zone, and dedicating myself to writing one book every month. I'm a full-time writer now instead of a write-whenever-I-feel-like-it writer.
It's been difficult, sure, but rewarding, too. Today, I've decided to share why I wanted to become a writer.
Well, 'become' is a funny word. I had no choice in the matter. Writing is a calling, not a decision - and you have no control over it.
I was always a writer, even as a kid. I remember writing stories - especially science fiction - when I was six years old. (They were horrible, mind you, but it was a starting point. They made me realize my love of writing. Hey, we have to write terrible stories before we can write good ones.)
I was bullied a lot, and I didn't have many friends - except my cat - so writing my my outlet. It was the only place I could express my emotions, ideas, and dreams, and not be ridiculed for them.
I was so good at it that I won awards at school and made my sixth grade teacher cry because she thought a poem I had written was touching. (This didn't help my lackluster popularity, by the way.)
Now, 14 years later at age 20, I'm still writing. It's been a constant in my ever-changing life.
Writing gives me a thrill that nothing else can.
Getting to create worlds and breathe life into characters is a truly wonderful experience. I can't fathom why more people don't want to be writers. It's empowering. More than that, it's just fun.
I write to change the world.
It sounds dramatic, but it's true. I try to write about universal things - grief, loss, friendship, love, and so forth. Things that every can relate to. When I meet readers who say that my books changed their lives or their outlook on the world, it makes my heart swell. We need more stories that inspire hope.
Writing gives me a purpose in life.
It's more than just a hobby. It's something I have to look forward to every day. It brings a smile to my face and makes me feel complete. Some people waltz through life not knowing where they belong or what they're supposed to be doing. They die unfulfilled and confused. But when I'm writing, I can feel the magic spilling onto the page. It's hard to describe it, but when you find your passion in life - your true calling - you'll know that it's right for you.
Writing is my saving grace. I've struggled with depression, anxiety, agoraphobia, and OCD my entire life. Writing makes me forget about my problems - even for a little while. When I'm writing, I'm in the zone. I'm completely focused. It numbs my pain while I weave worlds and characters, and I can honestly say I've never had that feeling from other activities.
Simply, I'm a writer because I don't know how to be anything else.
Writing is in my blood. It's something I'll be doing for the rest of my life, until my last breath.
No matter how much rejection, failure, or disappointment I face, you'll always find me at my desk, starting a new story. It can be daunting to write a novel - and even more daunting to attempt to live the life of a writer - but if it's your passion, you won't regret it.
I know I don't.
As always, thanks for reading!
Sincerely,
Dana
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