Bill Riddell

My Writing Illusion

Lately my brain has been spinning with thoughts on writing.

I have been questioning my abilities, motivation and how I will turn the corner to become a great writer.

More importantlly I have felt like a fraud.

It’s one great big confusing mess.

The Illusion

I’ve thought of myself as a writer since I was about 5 or 6. Back then while my class mates hated compulsory journal writing I was in love.?? Forget this 2+7 rubbish and just let me write about what fun I got up to on the weekend or transfer all kinds of magical worlds in my head to the page.

That passion is still their, in fact its even stronger.

Yet part of me no longer feels like a writer. I feel like an imposter, as if this was a great con.

So I question, am I just kidding myself and lying to others when I say I’m a writer?

The Truth

I was previously a full-time journalist, now I do some freelance journalism as well as paid blogging (which I have almost ceased doing). So I have definitely done quite a bit of writing.

I’ve just recently written an ebook, 20,000+ words. Now I’m developing my story writing with some short stories while I slowly work on my first novel. Again quite a lot of writing.

There is this blog as well, how could I forget that. I just estimated, with 30 posts at an average of around 650 words each, that’s almost another 20,000.

So I guess I’m qualified. I’ve had my writing published, in magazines and newspapers, on the web via blogs and an ebook.

I have accepted it, I’m a writer. A writer with a lot to learn-but a writer no less.

The Way Forward

For me there is one big leap remaining.

To write a true book and become an author. Not for the title, or for the ego-boost of one day seeing my work in a bookstore or on someone’s coffee table – instead because I love writing and want to share stories with others. To inspire, educate and entertain you.

I’m focusing on building my skills. That means reading and writing more than ever. That’s what writers do, that’s what I do.

I try to post once a week here on the blog. I will aim to increase that to once every 3 or 4 days. So more advice, thoughts and stories; sharing some of my other progress as I go.

I will begin work on a short story next week as well as a very cool project I am increidbly excited about.

Thanks for sharing this journey with me.

I’d love to know, what illusions have you hidden behind? What nagging voice or belifs have been holding you back?

Extra Reading

One thing that helped me was Liz Strauss of Succsesful-Blog.com – her 7 Traits That Writers Have In Common crystaliesd my thoughts and re-affirmed that I was on the right track.