Jim McGrath
If you want to be a writer, write.
No one can stop you from being a writer. You don't need any qualifications to be a writer. You don't have to pass a selection interview to become a writer. You just need to write.
Starting to write, starting to think of yourself as a writer are important steps in becoming a writer. But it is the next step that puts people off. Writing is a craft. To master your craft you have to be willing to practice. How much practice you need to put in I can't say. But if you expect to practice for 10,000 hours before you hit your stride I don't think you'll be far off. To put that in context 10,000 hours is equivalent to 270 weeks work or 5.2 years. Which when you come to think about is to the amount of time most professional qualifications take to obtain.
To keep your enthusiasm up along the way:
1) Join a good writers group that provides supportive feedback.
2) Read what writers have to say about how they write and pinch any ideas that are useful to you. But remember just because it worked for them does not mean it will work for you.
3) Look to get something published. Even if it's only a letter, poem or short story/article in your local paper. One of my early thrills was to get a letter published in the You Say section of the Sunday Times Culture Magazine. No money but a grin of satisfaction that lasted all day.
Good luck.
Jim
No one can stop you from being a writer. You don't need any qualifications to be a writer. You don't have to pass a selection interview to become a writer. You just need to write.
Starting to write, starting to think of yourself as a writer are important steps in becoming a writer. But it is the next step that puts people off. Writing is a craft. To master your craft you have to be willing to practice. How much practice you need to put in I can't say. But if you expect to practice for 10,000 hours before you hit your stride I don't think you'll be far off. To put that in context 10,000 hours is equivalent to 270 weeks work or 5.2 years. Which when you come to think about is to the amount of time most professional qualifications take to obtain.
To keep your enthusiasm up along the way:
1) Join a good writers group that provides supportive feedback.
2) Read what writers have to say about how they write and pinch any ideas that are useful to you. But remember just because it worked for them does not mean it will work for you.
3) Look to get something published. Even if it's only a letter, poem or short story/article in your local paper. One of my early thrills was to get a letter published in the You Say section of the Sunday Times Culture Magazine. No money but a grin of satisfaction that lasted all day.
Good luck.
Jim
More Answered Questions
Jeffrey Samuels
asked
Jim McGrath:
Hi Jim Thanks so much for your prompt reply. The writer of the screen play's name is Jim McGrath. What a coincidence. If I remember reading your bio, it says you too are a writer. Oh well. Back to the drawing board. Good idea for a movie but I don't write good dialogue. The dialogue I saw Jim write was excellent. You are in good company. Are you writing now? Thanks again, Jeffrey Samuels
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