Books To Words: Why I Became A Writer

I always knew I would be a writer. I spent a good part of my adult life being a ghostwriter. But I'm talking about creative writing. Novels. Storytelling that originated around campfires.

‍THAT gives me a nagging, excited feeling just thinking about it. Even in doubt (this) is what I come back to. And maybe the realization that binge-watching 'Law & Order SVU' for the 17th time isn't my ultimate calling?

Though it's not stopping me. 👩🏾⚖️

When I was younger I loved to read — love to get lost in a world that mirrored our own (sometimes not) but more than anything I loved how it pushed the confines of my mind to imagine — “what if.”

As writers we ask what if, we state and then, we close in the end.

And as the story goes, reading led me to writing. And despite the years I’ve spent pulling away from — ACTUALLY writing, the calling has never left me. And what do they say, if it’s your calling, it will keep calling you.

My faith plays a big part in this. Some days I feel like God gives me that push and then spark of creativity. It’s a feeling that I’ve got something to say, and maybe – someone out there needs to hear it.

And through my faith, I’m not always sure where this will lead, but I trust in God.

So I started to ask myself what if instead of fighting it— I embraced it, embrace the messy, ugly , beginnings that my perfectionism forced me to run from.

‍Choose a different hard, in this case:

‍>> Choosing to write it ugly because on the other side is a potential best selling author.

>> Or choosing not to write at all, and always wondering what if, never discovering the end.

"Marriage is hard. Divorce is hard. Choose your hard. Obesity is hard. Being fit is hard. Choose your hard. Being in debt is hard. Being financially disciplined is hard. Choose your hard. Life will never be easy. It will often be hard. But we can choose our hard. Choose wisely."

In truth, I don't know where this will lead me. But I do believe in my goals.

I do believe that if we've got talents, we should use 'em. And for me? That talent seems to involve stringing words together in an elegant — slightly dramatic manner.

So I'm choosing to write and share that journey through editorials like these and what I call my Margin Notes. (You can read more about those here → )

I plan on doing this with:

• A Consistent Writing Routine: As a hobby, I wrote when inspiration struck. I want to make a balanced routine giving myself a daily word count goal. A la Stephen King style. I’ll write more about this later.

• Building an Online Presence: Starting with this blog. I plan to also engage with readers and other writers through social media, and writing communities will help build my audience in a non-icky, natural way.

• Learning the Business: Understanding the ins and outs of publishing, from formatting to marketing, is crucial. I will invest time in learning these skills through courses, and resources — trial and error.

• Teaching: Robert Oppenheimer believed that 'There is no better way to learn than to teach.” I believe that. That’s partly why I’ve dedicated a part of my online home (here) to sharing what I learn.

‍My slogan: It's time to say goodbye to the draft drawer.

(Cause really, it's getting old.)

‍Thanks for joining.

‍

— Blair A. Carter

‍