You’re already a Writer

Stories are what makes us writers and everyone has them

Christine Schoenwald

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Photo by Christopher Sardegna on Unsplash

There are tons of classes that promise to teach you how to become a writer; just as there are hundreds of experts happy to impart their words of wisdom on what you need to write.

It’s great that there are so many options out there.

However, I want to let you in on a little secret.

You are already a writer, and you have all the tools you need to start writing in a more focused way.

The problem with the word become is that it delays you and puts you in becoming a writer somewhere off in the future. It adds psychological blocks and indicates that there are things you must do and achieve before you can even think of writing.

However, if you start with the belief that you’re already writer; you can just start writing.

Ask yourself these questions to know if you’re a writer.

Are you alive?

Have you experienced anything? Were some of those experiences interesting, unusual, funny, unexpected, tragic, happy, or anger-inducing?

In your life, have you known or observed other people?

Do you have opinions, or if you don’t, do you at least have a point of view?

Are there things, people, and situations that cause an emotional reaction in you?

If you answered yes to any of these then congratulations, you’re a writer.

It’s easy to be a writer, the hard work comes after you’ve identified as one and you have to pursue being a good or professional one.

By being alive, you’re writing your story every minute of every day.

You’re a writer, even if you’ve never written something that wasn’t a school assignment, or if you’ve never been paid for your writing.

When people say that they want to know what they can do to become a writer, I just have to say you don’t have to become one — you’re a writer right now.

Being able to call yourself a writer is your birthright.

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Christine Schoenwald

Writer for The Los Angeles Times, Salon, Next Avenue, Business Insider, and Your Tango Christineschoenwaldwriter.com