Writing Courage: Be YOU

While the world is swamped by social media and every form of communication possible — words fly at us, to us and among us at a speed we cannot keep pace with.

Yet amid this world of words there is always an aspiring writer with a story to tell — struggling with the fear that it might not be good enough — or imposter syndrome takes hold. It’s every writer’s fear each time a new book is sent out into the world.

The first step is the most difficult like anything in life — being authentically YOU is all that matters

Finding the courage to put your work out into the world is dependent on a range of factors. How serious are you? Do you have patience, and will you be persistent in achieving your writing aim? It really is about sitting down to write and then finding the courage to hand it over to a stranger. Try a friendly eye first to gauge if the story excites and entertains. Be prepared to accept whatever feedback comes your way.  Everything is fixable if you have a manuscript on hand — plot, structure, style, sense etc.

As many words as there are in the dictionary, there are professionals who will guide you in the right direction. This may come at a cost and, some find friendly writers by joining writers’ forums online to share feedback/impressions of each other’s work and to offer advice

If a story is brewing and bubbling within, you need to begin toiling if you know it will make a difference to someone.

 

Stop pondering and get writing — BE YOU

 

If you’re afraid of writer’s block — news is — it does not exist. You might pause and research and redraft parts of a piece but once a story bites — something truly magical happens. You begin to write as though you are guided by that which is transmitted through you. You will only experience this when you take that first step and allow yourself to deepen the process.

Writing is not for a chosen few. We all have the language to communicate our thoughts and feelings. The imagination develops from reading and takes hold with an unquenchable thirst. This opens the gateway of the creative font as stories emerge from stories. Then pick up the pen and write all that you can at a speed that you find bearable.

Stephen King said, ‘To be a writer you have do to two things, read a lot and write a lot.’

 

 

 

Once you have taken that step towards writing, choose a comfortable space to call your own. This invites the magical muse to transmit through you. Begin with meditating to ease your mind, body and spirit. Choose your time of day or night — your most lucid, productive time and begin — one word at a time…
Listen to the whispers and act on them — or beware — they will go looking for the next transmitter.
Missed opportunities are of our own making because the signs do come. It took me ten years before that voice pecked at my waking and sleeping state and I had no option but to answer the call.

 

Writing is the blood pumping in my veins — it’s the air that sets my breath aflame

Nothing happens in life without desire, determination and persistence. Courage will flow if the mind is open to desire.

Don’t be an aspiring writer, don’t wait ten years, you have the ability to take that step but do persist.

Best wishes

Happy Reading, Happy Writing

 

 

Author: Mala Naidoo

Teacher, English tutor, author, inspiring compassion and understanding that 'in our angst and joy we are one under the sky of humanity'

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