In The Demon's Head #219: A Writer isn't a Writer
April 27, 2015
Hello everyone and welcome to another edition of "In The Demon's Head" As I sat down to figure out what I wanted to write about for this post and honestly at first couldn't figure it out. Then last night, I had a conversation with someone and instantly I knew the post that I wanted to write for today. With that said, let's get into today's post.
April 27, 2015
Hello everyone and welcome to another edition of "In The Demon's Head" As I sat down to figure out what I wanted to write about for this post and honestly at first couldn't figure it out. Then last night, I had a conversation with someone and instantly I knew the post that I wanted to write for today. With that said, let's get into today's post.
When a Writer, isn't a Writer.
I honestly sat here and thought about this question for a while. Could I write about such a topic? It took some time and I got to the point where I honestly believed that I could. But before I get too far into the subject, what exactly do I mean by the statement When A Writer isn't a Writer.
I know what you're thinking, how is it that a Writer can't be a writer. We've always seen things talk about how once you're a writer, the brain is always in a different state. How ideas form, change, and become works in progress. Those works go onto completed works and eventually hopefully published works.
But what about those people that just call themselves a writer? Hell, I was in that boat last year. I walked around talking about how I wanted to be a writer, how I wanted to make a living with my words, how I wanted to make a difference, and I didn't write a damn word. It was during those months last year that I realized I was a writer in title but literally nothing else.
In fact, last year I published a small collection, and a novella but nothing else. I wouldn't call that much of a productive year. On top of that, I started working on a novel in November and before the month was over I gave up. I think I managed to finally finish like 12 thousand words in something like 20 days.
That's not very impressive either.
Then at the beginning of the year this year I had a bit of an epiphany. I was at work and as I sat there I got to thinking about where I was, and where I wanted to be in the next year. I realized that if I didn't do something soon, the answer to that question was, right where I was at that moment and nowhere close to my goal.
To say that pissed me off was an understatement.
So I did something about it. As it stands right now I've finished two novels this year. I've also started the first season in a weekly episodic novella series that I'm going to release next year as well. But that's not all I'm going to be doing before this year is over. The days of me sitting around and bitching about what I should be doing are over.
Now I actually do it.
It's not easy. If it was then everyone would do this and make it in this line of work. Hell, I don't even know if I'm going to make it. However, this is one of the only options that I see of a career going forward and making sure that I try to pursue my life goal of finally doing a job that I honestly enjoy, and writing is that job.
So now, if you're reading this and you're a writer, my question is what kind of writer are you? Are you a writer who puts their ass in the chair, and puts words on paper? Or, are you the "Writer" that says you're a writer and doesn't do anything about it? Before you go on with your career answer this question. Personally, if you're the second kind, then you need to reassess your career goals and do something about it. I don't say this to be an asshole, though I am most of the time. I say this because at the end of the day if you're not aiming to better your writing, then there's a problem.
Being a writer means a lot of things, but make sure that you're a writer if you're going to call yourself a writer. Otherwise, you're just a person with a hobby. Which again is fine, but then call it a hobby and don't classify yourself as a writer, though those are my personal feelings.
That does it for this particular post this week. I'm sorry if it bothered you, but those are my feelings and that's how I operate. In the meantime, I'd like to say thanks for reading this post. Be sure to sign up for my mailing list by clicking here. Also, join me on Facebook. Until the next time you want to take a trip through the gates of hell and into the demon's head, I'm Kyle Robinson wishing you a safe trip back to the surface.
I honestly sat here and thought about this question for a while. Could I write about such a topic? It took some time and I got to the point where I honestly believed that I could. But before I get too far into the subject, what exactly do I mean by the statement When A Writer isn't a Writer.
I know what you're thinking, how is it that a Writer can't be a writer. We've always seen things talk about how once you're a writer, the brain is always in a different state. How ideas form, change, and become works in progress. Those works go onto completed works and eventually hopefully published works.
But what about those people that just call themselves a writer? Hell, I was in that boat last year. I walked around talking about how I wanted to be a writer, how I wanted to make a living with my words, how I wanted to make a difference, and I didn't write a damn word. It was during those months last year that I realized I was a writer in title but literally nothing else.
In fact, last year I published a small collection, and a novella but nothing else. I wouldn't call that much of a productive year. On top of that, I started working on a novel in November and before the month was over I gave up. I think I managed to finally finish like 12 thousand words in something like 20 days.
That's not very impressive either.
Then at the beginning of the year this year I had a bit of an epiphany. I was at work and as I sat there I got to thinking about where I was, and where I wanted to be in the next year. I realized that if I didn't do something soon, the answer to that question was, right where I was at that moment and nowhere close to my goal.
To say that pissed me off was an understatement.
So I did something about it. As it stands right now I've finished two novels this year. I've also started the first season in a weekly episodic novella series that I'm going to release next year as well. But that's not all I'm going to be doing before this year is over. The days of me sitting around and bitching about what I should be doing are over.
Now I actually do it.
It's not easy. If it was then everyone would do this and make it in this line of work. Hell, I don't even know if I'm going to make it. However, this is one of the only options that I see of a career going forward and making sure that I try to pursue my life goal of finally doing a job that I honestly enjoy, and writing is that job.
So now, if you're reading this and you're a writer, my question is what kind of writer are you? Are you a writer who puts their ass in the chair, and puts words on paper? Or, are you the "Writer" that says you're a writer and doesn't do anything about it? Before you go on with your career answer this question. Personally, if you're the second kind, then you need to reassess your career goals and do something about it. I don't say this to be an asshole, though I am most of the time. I say this because at the end of the day if you're not aiming to better your writing, then there's a problem.
Being a writer means a lot of things, but make sure that you're a writer if you're going to call yourself a writer. Otherwise, you're just a person with a hobby. Which again is fine, but then call it a hobby and don't classify yourself as a writer, though those are my personal feelings.
That does it for this particular post this week. I'm sorry if it bothered you, but those are my feelings and that's how I operate. In the meantime, I'd like to say thanks for reading this post. Be sure to sign up for my mailing list by clicking here. Also, join me on Facebook. Until the next time you want to take a trip through the gates of hell and into the demon's head, I'm Kyle Robinson wishing you a safe trip back to the surface.