Writing is supposedly a glamorous occupation. When I tell people I write for a living the first response is usually ‘Oh! What do you write?’.
If the answer to the age old question is ‘I’m an electrician’, who among us would enthusiastically follow up with ‘Oh! What do you specialise in? Control wiring, data cabling? Industrial or domestic?’.
I was, in a far ago time and land an actual electrician, so I can talk with some authority on the subject.
So, what do I write?
I write blogs – like this one. Useful little writing exercises on my authors blog to keep me engaged. It’s a bit like practising blues riffs if you’re a guitarist. You’ve got to practice your chops. You’re not a writer unless you write, right? Blogging on whatever takes my fancy is a bit like that. It’s also fun. Sometimes I’ll get a bit serious and write a film review like this.
I also write blogs about self publishing and the business of being an author like this one. I also write the show notes for the eBook Revolution Podcast
Sometimes, I ghost write blogs for other clients on topics as wide as child care, medical imaging and marketing. This is disciplined writing because you need to write to a brief and in your clients voice.
I create email copy for marketing campaigns for my own business and my clients.
I develop website copy for web pages.
AND…I write books.
I’ve self published a book of short stories called Beautiful Lies and some non-fiction titles (one of which I should be working on right now) I’ve written my Writer’s Manifesto (you can your copy for free).
I like to enter short story competitions like this one because it’s just fun and you get a deadline.
I also spend far too much time on Twitter which tends to sharpen your writing in 240 character bursts but I’ve met some great writers also.
I’m working on a SF series called The Watchers which I’ve set a goal to publish this year, so sign-up if you want updates. Check out my mood board on Pinterest to get an idea what it’s about.
I’ve managed to turn tapping on a keyboard into a way to keep the lights on and food in my belly and red wine in my glass.
There is some magical alchemy to that when you think about it.
The life of a writer can be lonely with occasional bouts of drunkeness and caffeine induced paranoia but sometimes, when I’m in the flow, I realise I’m bloody lucky and wouldn’t have it any other way.
If you want to be a writer you just gotta write.
Don’t give up.
If you signup to my blog I’ll give you a free copy of my book Beautiful Lies and you will be my new favourite.