When I decided becoming a published author was the goal of my life I invested hours of research into finding advice offered by the greats. Most of my researched focused on fantasy writers. I was once told that fantasy writers are good storytellers but not good writers. That is something I whole heartedly disagree with. Yes, there are fantasy writers who excel in their story telling abilities, and whose writing isn't quite up to par. However, the fantasy writers who are great easily stand on equal footing with the giants of the literary genre. To name a few: Ursula K. Le Guin, Michael Moorcock, George R.R. Martin, Robert Jordan (who's greatest fault was he was such a great writer), et cetera. I did my best to find out what these writers had to say about the craft. Without fail each of them said that two things developed a great writer: 1. Read as much as you can. 2. Write as much as you can.
After I gleaned as much as I could from fantasy writers I looked into what writers outside the genre had to say. Unsurprisingly their advice was not much different.
In my opinion a third point needs to be added. Not only do you need to read as much as you can. Not only must you write as often as you can find the time. It is of the utmost importance that as a writer you be a self-motivated person.
When I first struck down the path of writing and becoming published I didn't realize how necessary it was to be self-motivated. As I stated earlier I am in no fashion self-motivated. A good day for me is laying around on the couch, watching a little television, and reading about fifty to a hundred pages of whatever book I'm currently involved. After about a year I still struggle with doing more with my days than laying around taking it easy.
Most people would probably say that I really don't love writing enough. Maybe there's a sliver of truth to that. Writing is about the only thing I think about. (Granted loving thoughts of my wife also take up a good portion of my thinking faculties.)
Every writer needs drive. Without that your days will be spent thinking instead of doing. My wife is at school until sometime around 2 o'clock today. Saturdays are a good day for me to write . . . when I have the motivation. To shake up my routine I removed myself from the easy going environment that is our apartment. Instead I'm sitting here at Barnes and Noble about to open a file and put flesh to a few ideas I've been incubating. I feel like I've doused my flames with fresh kerosene, and can get a few good words on page. Hopefully I've done the same for you.
Have a good weekend, friends.
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