You Want to be a Writer? (Can You Take the Heat?)

I received my first rejection letter as a writer when I was ten years old.

My mother–my biggest fan–had submitted a poem I had written to a publishing company. They responded with the obligatory “no thanks” message on their company letterhead (I still have that letter). Undeterred, I continued to fill journals with my poems, quirky fiction stories, and diary entries about all my current crushes. In high school, I wrote articles for our newspaper, Tiger Rag, and was on the yearbook staff. To me, it was the equivalent of attaining the status of a world-renowned journalist. (Dream big, my friend, dream big…)

The paper has yellowed with age but I kept those humble school newspaper clippings!

I was placed in a foster home when I was fourteen. During my years there, I took it upon myself to crank out a “family newsletter” outlining our numerous escapades. There were eight girls, including me, so I had plenty of material! I even created “mock” church bulletins to make fun of church happenings (plenty of material there too…).

One of my rough drafts of a “mock” church bulletin…

Writing was my outlet for working through a tough childhood and wanting the world to hear my inner voice.

When I shared my journals and poems with an adult I admired, they broke it to me gently that they thought my writing was a tad “gloomy”. In my fragile adolescent state, their honest critique took the steam out of my sails and I kept my words hidden from the world for many years afterward.

(I know what you’re thinking as you read this: “This is a bit of a downer. Let’s click out of this blog post and look up a Calvin and Hobbes comic or something cheerful.” Hang on, I’m going somewhere.)

It’s never easy to share your written words with the world.

Many writers’ first response to sharing what they have written is paralyzing fear and doubt. We panic and assume we will be misunderstood and–here’s the big one–

R.E.J.E.C.T.E.D.

Rejection is not an excuse to quit. This is the launching place for your future as a writer.

Honestly, not everyone will enjoy your writing. Perhaps you just lack the talent of expressing yourself with clarity or fluency. You fumble over words like a three-year-old trying to catch a Frisbee tossed way above his head. Not everyone was meant to be a writer…right? (Write-Right? Just smile…)

Wrong.

(Disclaimer: Regina’s personal opinion here.)

ANYONE can be a writer.

EVERYONE has a story to share, provoking thoughts someone will want to read (not everyone, but someone) and some resemblance of a creative spark in them.

It’s just that the words get locked up inside of you. They get choked up in an untidy heap of nonsense. You know what you want to say but the message gets lost in the transference from thoughts to words on a page. However, defeat is not an option. Swallow the pride and put the writing boots back on. Don’t even think about walking off the stage yet.

Keep reading to learn from others, branch out and take a writing workshop, write your heart out every chance you get and…here’s the hard part…share your work with others for feedback. (Scary, I know. Why do you think I started this blog?)

I wrote this reminder to myself and look at it often to keep myself motivated:

Someone might tout, “I’ve never taken a writing class in my life. I just sit down and the eloquent words just flow. In fact, my first novel was published when I was twelve years old.” (Insert a snort and eye-roll here…)

Well, in the real world, that rarely–as in a blue moon rarely–ever happens that way. There is a reason why we label someone a “prodigy”. The rest of us have to work endless hours and down five cups of coffee to manufacture a decent paragraph.

Yet, it is amazing how far a dream will carry you.

Even if you get the impression that your family and friends are the only ones who appreciate your writing (which I often feel myself until I give myself a pep talk) and you feel the carpal tunnel creeping into your fingers is not worth the end result…just keep writing. It really is that simple, folks.

Make yourself a plaque for the wall, have a t-shirt printed, paint it on a yard sign–whatever–but make your mantra, “I gotta keep writing…”

Why are you still reading this? Start writing!