You may have heard me talk about my own writing path, but in case you haven’t, I’ll share some things that might help you on your writing adventures. My hope is that this post will help you to identify the things you want to write about in case you feel stumped.
I began writing in earnest in February, 1994, in a class called Writing the Wild Woman. I had no idea what to write, just that I wanted to write.
This is where I learned the joys and power of free-writing. I joined other free-writing groups and relished the fun of letting my words flow freely.
Somewhere in that first year, I got the notion to write for five years without worrying about it being any good or being published. Five years!
During this time of apprenticeship, I explored various genres. I took classes in playwriting, screenwriting, story writing. I wrote poems, essays and recipes. I filled journals with my desires, my rants and my voice.
Finally, after five years of this, I had a greater sense of what I wanted to focus on. I wrote articles for the local paper. I began writing a novel based on a heroine of mine, Sylvia Beach.
Also in 1999, I became a trained coach and began writing newsletter articles, marketing copy and e-books about the writing process. I’ve since written hundred of articles, seven e-books and a novel. I am still writing, using this free-writing method.
Give yourself time and space to write. Be an apprentice, learning about yourself and about the craft of writing. Be patient. Keep showing up. Devote yourself to your writing.
How does the idea of being an apprentice appeal or not to you?
