Hello, friends!

In my years as a writer, I’ve gotten into conversations like the image above far too many times. People always say they have an idea but they can’t write it because they’re not a good enough writer. So really, how does one become a writer?

The first step to becoming a writer is writing. The later steps also involve writing. There isn’t a step in this process that doesn’t involve writing really. Quite literally, a writer is a person who writes. Write, and you are a writer.

To me, it doesn’t matter how well you write. If you have a story, tell it. Now, I know writing isn’t for everyone. Not all people have the discipline or the dedication to get a story out of their head and onto a page. But there is absolutely no harm in trying. Storytelling comes long before writing ability. You can fix someone’s grammar but you cannot force them to invent a better story. Some things you can’t teach.

If you have an idea and you’re curious about writing, try it! If you want to be serious about it, you can outline, plan, plot, and go. If you just want to do it or you’re only having fun, jump right in. There is no standard you have to reach to be qualified to tell a story. If it’s something you want, do it.

And remember, no one has to read it if you don’t want. Writing is supposed to be something intrinsic. You want to tell a story, not please someone else. If you don’t want anyone to see it, don’t show them and don’t worry about how it looks to anyone but you. If you do want people to read it but are worried about the writing, remember editors exist for a reason.

What are some story ideas you’re nervous about writing? How do you get started when you’re apprehensive? Let me know in the comments, and if you have any questions or requests, leave them below! I also love to talk about story ideas so if you ever need any help or someone to share with, here’s a link to my Contact page. Don’t forget to like and follow for more thoughts like these.

Thanks for reading!

If you can tell stories, create characters, devise incidents, and have sincerity and passion, it doesn’t matter a damn how you write.
– Somerset Maugham