As I learn to embrace my inner writer I am beginning to understand that only you can hold yourself back. I have been hung up on all the things that I imagine I should be doing with my writing that I find myself not doing any writing at all.

Recently I started reading a new book, Writing Without Rules by Jeff Somers. And he is working hard to open my eyes to the reality of being a writer. All you need to be a writer is to write. And yes I know that sounds obvious but trust me it is a harder truth than you may think.

When I first started writing I was probably in elementary school and I just knew that by the time I was my age now, I would have at least 10 books written and published. In reality I have written maybe 3 short stories that I don’t necessarily like and 100s of starter sentences. Often never making it past the 3rd page in any given project. 

There are so many grand ideas of what I want my writing to be floating around in my head. I imagine how my writing will look and feel to the point that it is a crystal image in my mind. Anytime there is deviation from the mold I have created, the project is condemned as “trash” and thrown away.

When I started this blog and many others, I was trying to figure out the perfect mix needed to get my writing off the ground. Now I am finally starting to realize that all I need is my mind and something to write with. I want to stop worrying about what others will think and start focusing on what I want to create. It won’t matter if I come up with the perfect story if I can’t get out of my own head long enough to write the sucker down.

Today, May 13th, 2024 will be day one of the rest of my life. The day that I finally go out and stop talking about writing and actually do it.

I want to reconnect with my writing roots. To begin to focus on why I started writing in the first place. I have a story to tell and by golly I am going to start telling it. 

Wish me luck.