Keep the Passion to Write

Why do athletes train day in, day out, turn up for competitions; knowing that are unlikely ever be placed in the olympics or on a professional team? Why do hikers climb mountains, go exploring jungles, trek to places that have been visited by countless ( but physically fit) others? Why do people collect cards, stamps, dolls still in their cardboard boxes, teaspoons or shoes?

Why would a writer continue to write, year in year out, when they have never been published?

Why do these people bother?

Passion. The drive to express oneself through the talents and interests.

The reason people bother stems deeper than to make money, to gain fame or fortune. Writers ‘bother’  to continue writing to inspire others, to educate, to inform, to entertain both themselves, and their loved ones, to share thoughts and emotions, to uncover and discover things about themselves. Writing still stands as one of the cheapest self discovery  tools.

For an emerging writer, there are a number of stumbling blocks and challenges along the way.. Some seem so insurmountable that many are disheartened and leave their journey as a writer. Here are some tips to keep the passion bubbling

Have an active interest in the profession. Continue with self education, bettering your skills  as a writer.

Believe in your own ability to convey the story. Although you may have times you doubt your ability or compare yourself with others, only one person can tell a characters story the way you can.. You. Focus on your creativity and style, moulding it to your personality – rather than to shape it as what you perceive you ‘aught to be’.  As you develop a style that readers respond to, develop this and use it as your trademark.  Your uniqueness will set you apart form others.

Ask for help. Find a mentor or a group of supportive writers who will encourage and push you to your limits. By fostering a group of other writers, you can pick up hints and tips as well as to provide one another with feedback about the writing one another is doing. This always allows opportunities to learn about the process of writing.

Keep practicing. Maintain a blog. These are the best ways to build a fan base and expose your audience to your writing voice and style. being responsible for updating the blog will give you the motivation to continue and to improve.

Step outside your comfort zone. Don’t box yourself into a genre. Don’t reject sci fic, romance, horror, fantasy or whatever because “I don’t write that”. Try it.. You may be surprised. Write in an unfamiliar genre, and you may find your niche, your writers voice, your passion.

When I write, I come alive. Energy zaps about me as characters whisper in my ear. I delight in their humour, their sub plots and deviousness.

You may have many interests, but most people will only have one passion.. Whats yours?

Annie Evett once said she didn’t write sci fi, but has found herself heading Series 1 of  CYOA – a collaborative writing project; whose theme.. could be classified as sci fi.Follow Annie’s shameless self promotions here on Twitter  or here on Audio Boo and start your escape into her world  here