How can I be a writer?

Many, many people have asked me this very question – actually no one has asked me anything remotely similar to this question. But in our writers group there’s a dirty secret. We talk about people who show up one time to “check us out” and then never return to any meetings after that. We have over 50 people on the email list and only 4 people show up for the meetings regularly. Well, there you go. That’s the secret to writing.

It’s like that old joke: What’s the secret to becoming a millionaire. First, start with a million dollars. If you want to write, write. I can tell you how to be a writer – start writing! Who is stopping you from writing? You! No one else. Last time I checked, it costs 50 cents to buy a pen. Paper is free if you know where to look (Hint: the recycle bin in any office. Turn misprint over. Bam! You got paper.) Don’t have a computer? (How the heck are you reading this?) Then go to any public library and borrow theirs.

Procrastination is a writer’s mortal enemy. Like  Lord Voldemort to Harry Potter, except you must say its name, be conscious of it, acknowledge when you are committing it and fight it at every turn.