Steven Campbell
You're going to suck for a long time. It's okay to suck. Write what you enjoy writing. As humans, we're capable of doing nearly anything. I tried writing every different genre when I was younger to see if I could and to experiment. I found myself always injecting humor into anything I was doing because it's what I, as a person, most enjoyed and what I found easiest. Like I tried writing a horror screenplay once and it ended up being a horror parody and I hadn't even set out to do that.
Don't try and be a writer because you want money or fame. There are vastly easier ways to get both. People write because they are Writers and they have to write. Even if I wasn't putting it down on a page, I would be constantly daydreaming stories. Just get it down.
One question I think everyone should ask themselves is this: Imagine if you were visited by the future you, from your deathbed, tubes and hospital gown and old as hell. That future you comes to visit you and says, "I've been given the opportunity to travel back in time from the moment before we die and tell you one thing. You will NEVER sell any writing. You will NEVER be recognized for writing. You will go through your life and earn nothing but ridicule or indifference at the best. This will happen and you cannot change it. Do with this information what you will." And the future you vanishes. And you know, with absolute certainty that that is true.
Would you still write?
Think about that hard for a minute. Or a few minutes. Or a lot of minutes. Write because you have to write. Because you love to write. If you make those your reasons, you will never be bitter about your choice. You can always call it a hobby, a joy, a side job, or whatever.
Don't try and be a writer because you want money or fame. There are vastly easier ways to get both. People write because they are Writers and they have to write. Even if I wasn't putting it down on a page, I would be constantly daydreaming stories. Just get it down.
One question I think everyone should ask themselves is this: Imagine if you were visited by the future you, from your deathbed, tubes and hospital gown and old as hell. That future you comes to visit you and says, "I've been given the opportunity to travel back in time from the moment before we die and tell you one thing. You will NEVER sell any writing. You will NEVER be recognized for writing. You will go through your life and earn nothing but ridicule or indifference at the best. This will happen and you cannot change it. Do with this information what you will." And the future you vanishes. And you know, with absolute certainty that that is true.
Would you still write?
Think about that hard for a minute. Or a few minutes. Or a lot of minutes. Write because you have to write. Because you love to write. If you make those your reasons, you will never be bitter about your choice. You can always call it a hobby, a joy, a side job, or whatever.
More Answered Questions
M.Y. Khan
asked
Steven Campbell:
Sir, I love your work and can’t wait for the next installment, but in the meantime I wanted to ask what your writing and editing processes are like. Do you have a fixed schedule? Do you come up with the story ad-lib or do you make a guideline? And the editing. You mentioned listening to it in order to work out the kinks. What is that like? I would really appreciate it if you could shed some light on your process.
About Goodreads Q&A
Ask and answer questions about books!
You can pose questions to the Goodreads community with Reader Q&A, or ask your favorite author a question with Ask the Author.
See Featured Authors Answering Questions
Learn more