Open a Vein


If you want to be a writer, you must write and that requires sitting at your typewriter or computer and writing although it may not be easy. That also means avoiding all distractions that will keep one from writing-visitors, friends, relatives, television, radio, and anything that will keep the writer from concentrating on the task.

Although many writers wait for inspiration before they start writing, that is a sure way to bring about writer's block. Inspiration only comes with dedication, concentration, planning, and visualization. If one looks at the work habits of successful writers, it is one of habits, habits established by determination and persistence that require surrender to a timetable of work, a forfeit of time to write. That time must be rigidly adhered to be it an hour or several hours a day.

Setting a time each day is not always easy, but it must be done if one is to become a professional, published writer. During that time nothing must interfere with writing. It is not the time to edit, rewrite, revise, or research. It must be set aside for writing, for putting words to paper or to screen. Discipline is the keyword here and self-control must be achieved inflexibly. Sounds tough? Well, it is! Some beginning writers get up earlier and spend and hour or two before their day job; others prefer time before retiring for the night; while still others steal a few minutes several times through out the day. Whatever is chosen must be adhered to strictly.

This, of course, is where dedication and concentration become most important. One must decide if he or she really wants to be a writer, and since it is a lonely introspection activity, it is not for everyone. Some think it is glamorous, but that part of the profession is not; it must be done alone and isolated, alone with one's ideas and thoughts, isolated from other people in order to express those ideas and thoughts. Those who want to be, and that is almost every person the writer meets, envy writing and writers.

Writing is not easy for most writers. It is like opening up a vein and letting the blood gush forth?or dribble out. It can be painful or exhilarating. Fortunately, most of the time it is stimulating, heady, and more so when it is published and enjoyed by others.

Charles O. Goulet had a BA in history and a BEd in English literature. Several of his novels have been published and are available a Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Barnes and Noble and many other bookstores.

His website is http://www.telusplanet.net/public/go1c
His blog is http://go1c.blogspot.com