The Nonplus Adventures of a Self-publishing Writer:
An Encouraging Word
One day, recently I got it into my head to write something to encourage people wavering on the edge of this writing thing, so I did. It’s called, How to be a Happy Writer. This booklet is not a ‘how-to write’ book, nor a ‘how to make money writing’ book (once I find that out I’ll add a chapter to the booklet). It is simply a set of things I’ve learned and wish to pass on to those who not only want to write, but be happy doing it.
The first chapter, I think, is the most important. It talks about the idea that writer’s write. Now, many people use this to say if, ‘If you want to be a writer, you must write,’ and while this is true, I am instead using it to say, ‘If you write, you are a writer.’ There is no (or should be no) secret trigger that once pulled, makes one worthy to be a writer. And besides, what would that trigger be? After so many years, or so many books, or so manyt rejection letters, one can finally kneel and be knighted into writerhood? The reason there should be no trigger is because one’s place in the writer’s world depends on what one’s expectations are- the writer’s expectations -and no one else. I have met writers who are writing for themselves, or for their families. They have no wish to be published for public consumption. Are they then refused entry into the Community of Writers?
You may not be a ‘best selling writer, or a ‘published’ writer. You might not even be a ‘good’ writer but who cares, that’s not the point. My point is you are a writer because you write. If you want any of those other titles, some amount of talent, skill, time and work is required.
So, to suimmarize, if you write, you can confidently call yourself a writer- rest in that. If it feels better to tell people, “I like to write in my spare time.” OR, “I’m a frustrated writer.” OR, “… a newby writer,” that’s all you, but regardless, boldly pick up the banner of writerness, and wave it over your head. If you write, you are a writer.
I hope to have, How to be a Happy Writer out in a couple months, until then, if you write, throw caution to the wind and write!
AD Faircloth, Pensacola, FL, 4/2015
Be sure and check out my webpage, anthonydfaircloth.com, for my other books and some short stories you’ll only find there.
Stephen Hawking said he spent most of his first couple of years at Cambridge reading science fiction (and I believe that, because his grades weren’t all that great). – Frederik Pohl
Read more at BrainyQuotes.Com
SEE MY Short Stories on anthonydfaircloth.com
Story Spotlight- The Pleasantville Junior Detective Agency
Do you love to read children’s mysteries? If so, you will find The Pleasantville Junior Detective Agency enjoyable. It’s about a 9-year-old boy named Perry Winkle who becomes the neighborhood junior detective. The reader tries to uncover each clue and solve the case. For those that haven’t cracked the case by the end, they can turn to the last page of each chapter and see how Perry solved it.
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Johnny Copper was born in Pensacola, Florida and enlisted in the Navy 1989. He retired after 22 years of military service. He is a graduate of Grand Canyon University and loves reading children’s books to his grandson. After retiring from the Navy, he and his family moved back to Florida. He’s been married for 25 years and has two children and one grandson.
You can find, The Pleasantville Junior Detective Agency on Amazon.