Erika Mitchell Shares What She's Learned About Writing

Brooding Genius Not
Required






Whenever I tell people I’m a novelist, the most consistent
response I get is, “I’d LOVE to write a book.” Every single time, I have to
bite down on my tongue to keep from asking what’s stopping them. Probably
because I already know what’s stopping them: Work, family, time commitments,
fear of failure, etc.

Of the lot of these, the last excuse is the easiest to
address. It doesn’t seem like it should be, though, does it? There is
undoubtedly something daunting about Writing A Novel. Almost like if you’re not
some brooding genius scribbling over a notebook while running frustrated hands
through your disheveled hair, you aren’t qualified to be a writer.




I would like to offer a different perspective, however.
While it might be cool to be Henry David Thoreau, locked away in a cabin for
two years penning masterpieces, it’s not necessary. The only thing necessary to
be a writer is to write.Wanna know why?




Because no one ever has to read your writing. It’s true. If
you set out to write the Great American Novel because you’re convinced that’s
the only thing other people will accept, you will fail. Every time. It’s too
much pressure.




If, however, you approach your writing as though no one will
ever see it, I absolutely guarantee you’ll have a much better time. Writing
with the intention that no one will ever read it is the best way I can think of
to ensure you’ll enjoy writing your story.




I kid you not, this mindset will get you through writer’s
block, intimidation, and self-consciousness. It’s a huge and unfortunately
predominant misconception that you should only write stuff you intend to try to
get published. The looming specter of the disapproving publishing house of doom
will stymie you every time.

Simply sit down and write. And then keep going. If you get
stuck writing a scene you think you should
be writing, switch to a scene you feel
like writing. You can always go back and fix what doesn’t work, but the purest,
most enjoyable parts of the story will always come from a place where the
writer is having fun.

So have fun. Even if the story never sees the light of day,
you can still hold your head high because you’ve done something 99% of would-be
writers never do: You finished something.




I assure you, the finished novel on your hard drive is going
to be a thousand times better than the unfinished novel in anyone’s head.