Writers write
I must have heard the statement “Writers Write” at least a hundred times. It’s one of those throw away statements that makes me want to hit the person saying it. So why would I set myself up as a target for my own hatred by discussing it here? Well, I’ve finally set my attitude aside and thought about what the words Writers Write actually means to me.
On the surface, it’s glaringly obvious. If you want to be a writer then you must write. That’s it. Pure and simple.
What do you want on your business card? When you’re at a party and someone asks you what you do, what do you want to say? If you want to tell people that you are a writer (as opposed to someone with a real job) then you’d better be actively writing, otherwise you are a liar.
In recent months, I have been involved in a few interviews. It’s really funny when a job applicant talks about how great they are and how skilled they are, but then you look at their CV and can’t see any evidence of their supposed greatness. Don’t turn yourself into a liar. Aspire to be the writer you want to be.
I have this section on my website where I talk about screenwriting. My Twitter account also mentions screenwriting. I have to keep writing scripts or admit that I’m a fraud. That is why I set aside time each day to write. I may not be a disciplined as some, but I’m trying. A writer must write.
“Writers write” isn’t so much a statement as a direct challenge to me. Those words meld together and form a huge accusing finger that points, laughs and says, “What have you written, little man? Do you really have what it takes to really write?” It’s lucky that I like a challenge. It spurs me on.
However, when I look a little deeper, the accusation only focuses on one thing – “Do you write?” The statement does not say “Writers write well” or “Writers write Pulitzer prize winning novels”. No. There is no judgement about quality or subject matter. All you have to do is write. I find that very liberating. It’s better to write complete rubbish for a week than to write nothing and still claim to be a writer. Write anything. Write blogs, poems, diaries, letters to the editor, anything. Just keep those words flowing. Like most things, the more you write, the better you become at it. If you keep exercising the creative muscles in your brain then you will find it less exhausting.
So, can I honestly claim to be a writer? Probably not. I think I am someone trying to make the transition from dreamer to writer. What’s stopping me from being a writer? Me. What am I going to do about it? Umm, write, I guess.
I must have heard the statement “Writers Write” at least a hundred times. It’s one of those throw away statements that makes me want to hit the person saying it. So why would I set myself up as a target for my own hatred by discussing it here? Well, I’ve finally set my attitude aside and thought about what the words Writers Write actually means to me.
If anyone is interested in making a film, or wondering why 
