The day that I realized I wanted to be a writer, I was filled with this sense of naive excitement and energy.  To this day, 15 years later, I still have that excitement and energy.  Even on the bad days, it continues to drive me onward.  All that aside, I had to learn a lot of things “on the job” and understand how to put them in their place.  Below, I’ve shared them in hopes that they’ll help strengthen another writer who is just taking their first steps!

The top 3 things I wish I had known when I started writing

Obviously, there are many things that I’ve learned about being a writer.  These top 3 things, though, are tips that I believe could have helped me be a stronger writer sooner.  Not to mention a lot more focused on my craft.

1. There will always be someone who doesn’t like your style: It could be your neighbour, it could be a critiquing buddy, it could be your brother.  Regardless, someone isn’t going to enjoy reading your writing.  It doesn’t have anything to do with how good or bad you are, it’s just that writing is a personal taste!  Cool fact: the people who enjoy reading a little bit of everything are often writers themselves.  The rest of the reader population tends to be pretty comfortable within their respective niches.

2. There will be many people who think you’re just a dreamer: Any writer who’s ever announced their plans has heard this one before: “You’re never going to make it as a writer,” or “There’s no money in writing, find another job.”  Frustrating, right?  I’ve been earning a living as a business content writer for several years, and I still get people who say that to me regularly.  Just ignore it, and keep doing your thing.  

3. There is no such thing as “not good enough”: This is perhaps the most important lesson that I really, really wish I had known earlier.  People will easily tell you that you’re “not good enough”.  There is no such thing as “not good enough”.  It could be that you’re writing for, or with, the wrong people.  Or, maybe you’re still struggling to learn the finer details, but it’s no different from any other kind of job out there.  You need to train and practice and learn as a writer, just like any other career path.    Every writer who focuses on their craft is good enough — always.  

Writing is a journey

Much like any other kind of adventure, starting out as a writer is full of peaks and valleys, and you most likely won’t end up where you thought you would when you look back on it.  I’m the perfect example.  When I first started dreaming of being a full-time professional writer, I thought I would be a novelist.  While I was finishing up school, I discovered (by accident) that I have a knack for, and love, writing business content.   

Fast forward 6 years, and I am a true, full-time professional writer — but I write business content instead of novels.  I still reached my goal, it just changed a bit as I started pursuing the craft.  Allow your writing journey to shift and change as you head down the path.  You never know where it’s going to lead you, after all!

Any other writers want to share their tidbits of advice about starting out as a writer?  If so, please feel free to do so.  

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