How to Become a Writer

Six months ago when I told a friend that I was going to take a crack at writing, something I've always done but kept private, I got the expected look of skepticism. You know the look. Eyebrows shoot up, eyes widen, shoulders raise followed by a loud long sigh as the eyes roll heavenward.

Yes, that is exactly why I have kept EVERYTHING I have ever written under lock and key.

Two days later the same friend presented me with a gift. My skeptical friend had gone out and bought me Carolyn See's book Making a Literary Life, Advice for Writers and Other Dreamers. Was this meant as a joke? A deterrent? Or was my eyeball rolling friend actually encouraging me? Unsure of its meaning I made light of the gift, mumbled my thanks and shoved it into my bag.

It took me three hours to read Making a Literary Life in its entirety, I could not put it down. Carolyn See had me hooked with her witty and straightforward advice. Absent were the patronizing lectures that I had read up to that point. Instead, I felt as if I were sitting down at the kitchen table with my bachelorette aunt as she gave me advice on life.

Six months later I have not published a single book or made that first trip to New York. I never expected to, I am not ready yet, my work definitely is not ready but what I have learned has meant just as much to me. Here is a look at the first three steps I have taken to make a literary life so far.

Step 1 to Making a Literary Life: Keep it to Yourself

Ah, the rolling eyes! Well, I am glad I read this book before I had to sit through more rolling eyes or incredulous looks. I consider myself lucky, I was only cornered by a couple family members and friends while they lectured me about not reaching my potential.

My immediate family on the other hand was delighted when I told them I wanted to write. They knew about my passion for reading, watched me grow up with my nose in a book, so the news that I wanted to write was not surprising to them.

CHECK! My desire to shout to the hills that I want to write, my need to tell you all about my lifelong wish and dream of being a writer, to live as Hemingway did has been tamed.