Hope Writes

Embrace Who You Are (TWS - Part 4)

Posted by Hope

Note from Hope: Sorry…I forgot to post this final article in this series Friday. Things have been wild around here lately!

In the final installment of this four-part series, I want to talk with you about embracing who you are–as a person and as a writer. Some writers find it difficult to be in their own skin. Others who have totally embraced their calling as a writer share their ideas and work with anyone and everyone who will listen.

So how do you embrace who you are when sometimes you aren’t even sure who you are or what you’re doing? Try some of these tips that many other writers have used:

Follow Your Heart.
I’ve heard plenty of writers say that you can’t expect to be able to follow your heart with writing. They’ve also tried to tell inexperienced writers that they should expect to put in their time and be willing to write things they don’t necessarily like or enjoy.

I do agree with this, but only to a certain extent. While I do believe that you need to devote time to learn and hone your craft, I don’t believe you must sacrifice your heart’s song to make writing work for you.

Even if you must devote a certain amount of time and energy to writing things that bring the income, learn, practice, and follow your heart.

Write, Write, Write.
There are way too many writers who quit when the going gets tough. If you write ten books in twenty years and still go unpublished, keep on writing. Never give up. Keep on writing, no matter what.

Nurture Your Inner Spirit.
This is something I think we’re all prey to if we’re not watchful, and that is letting ourselves go. Though you should never stop writing, it is equally important that you learn to create a balance and give back to yourself.

A few years ago a good friend sent me The Artist’s Way. One of the requirements is to go on an artist’s date once a week. During this "date" you are urged to go alone and woo your inner artist with all things lovely. Nurturing your inner spirit is enormously important, not only to your health and well-being, but to your creative energy as well.

Network With Other Writers.
I can’t stress the importance of this enough. Get together with other writers. Truly, writing is a lonely world. You need the interaction with other like-minded individuals who can provide feedback, ideas, and support.

If you aren’t quite comfortable yet being a writer, I hope you’ll learn to embrace who you are and experience the full joy of it.

Popularity: 24% [?]

2 Responses to “Embrace Who You Are (TWS - Part 4)”

1. Katherine Says:
   April 11th, 2008 at 11:10 am

   I love your advice “write from the heart”. With all of the different ways out there to make money writing, it is often easy to get swallowed up into it and forget why you are writing in the first place.

   If you don’t follow your heart, you’ll burn out!

2. Hope Says:
   April 11th, 2008 at 12:35 pm

   Thanks Katherine!

Leave a Reply

Name (required)

Mail (will not be published) (required)

Website

Enable CommentLuv which will try and get your last blog post, please be patient while it finds it for you

Notify me of follow-up comments via e-mail