I love this final paragraph: “But embrace it. Work hard so that eventually (and I mean far-away eventually) someone will care. Sure, failure is guaranteed, but in order to be a successful writer, you need to be persistent. The only way to be persistent is to write because you love it.”
Actually, the entire piece speaks to me. I’m dubious of much writing success but I keep going. I enjoy writing. Writing helps me think, understand myself and the world, and it’s a liberating creative outlet. If I wasn’t writing already, I think, based on my mental wanderings as I walk, that I would start writing.
So am a failure as a writer? Naw, I have mostly found my voice. It comes and goes. That, itself, and the process, is as fascinating as anything to me. Most intriguing is when a character steps up and takes off on their own.
In some ways, that’s also counter productive and debilitating. The character becomes a buddy and a guide through the book. When I’m done, I miss them. Or, in this novel, with its six main characters and their variations on life according to what’s happening, one character finishes their piece and steps aside for another. It’s like they go on vacation.
It’s just like ‘real life’ in that regard. When someone steps out of your life for some period, your life’s continuity and routines are breached.
Having six in this book helps. Handley stepped up last week. I became very fond of her, discovering her strengths with her and further refining her individuality. Then she stepped away. After a few days of writing scenes, Philea stepped forward and took over. She’s smarter, calmer and a faster thinker than me, and thinks differently than I do, so I’m quieter and more thoughtful around her. Like me, she’s not socially engaged, but for different reasons.
Got off track. Back to the track. The article addresses the essence of my approach. I write, I’m persistent, and I enjoy it. Someday, maybe it’ll be more than a diversion from depression, drinking and disappointment with the world. For now, I’ll go with that.
by Michael Cristiano
So, you wanna be a writer, huh?
Well, it takes a lot more than just saying so. In fact, one of the most annoying things you can say to a writer is, “I wanna write a novel too, but I…”
And there you go. Insert some excuse as if us writers have somehow been able to get out of things that would keep regular people from attempting a novel or a collection of poetry or short stories. The excuses range from lack of time to lack of inspiration, from not having anything to say to having too much to say (see my post called “Why I’d Rather Pass a Kidney Stone than Talk about my Writing” where I delve into this phrase further).
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Michael Seidel, writer 
I hear ya! Would be so much easier to stick with it even there was even a modicum of success. For the hours I’ve spent writing, I have very little to show other than some pixels on a screen.
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oh, do I get this one!
I have at least decided it’s no longer “I want to be a writer” – – I *am* a writer.
What I want is to be a GOOD writer 😉
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Yes, keep pressing. First, write. Then become a good writer. Then strive to be a better and better writer. Dare we be great? Scary words.
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Great in whose eyes? Therein lies the true puzzle.
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Excellent point. I’m just happy when I write some words, so I can’t be trusted to judge myself.
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