We’ve been talking writing tips this week and while I welcome the opportunity to chime in, I need you to know I do so with a Ned’s First Primer attitude. I’ve taken my seat in the first row, eager to learn. I also come to the discussion as the non-fiction writer of this porch and yet, precisely because my work is all about telling stories, I listen with great interest as my fellow belles talk about characters, plots, and time lines. 
For my part, however, I want to rest the technique tips to try and address the questions I get the most and never feel like I answer well. It’s actually more like one question with interchangeable parts. It may begin with “I think I’m supposed to write”, “I have a great book idea” or even “I’ve written a book…” but it ends with “Where should I start?”
I’m reminded of that reality show, “So, You Think You Can Dance”. It’s a question the show puts before aspiring dancers of all stripes and the audition process usually answers it in no time flat. Some of those auditioning have put in countless hours of time and hard work. It shows. Others look like they walk in with nothing more than a pipe dream, confident they’ll be able to wing it and learn on the go. Those in the second group rarely make it through their routines let alone the first round. Oh, sometimes they discover a standout newbie with incredible, raw talent but that contestant is few and far between. As a rule, the ones with a chance of reaching the finish line come from the dedicated dancers who are (and have been) in it for the long haul.
I wasted a lot of time dancing with the wing it group, so to speak. I spent years dreaming of becoming an author and filing countless rejection slips. Today, I can look back at that dreamer and wince at all of the wasted time and effort I put toward achieving the end goal “getting published” instead of the real goal, “learning the craft of writing.” If I could talk to that earlier version of me I would beg her to scrimp and save, and move whatever mountains necessary to attend a writer’s conference and then I would remind her to go there to learn, learn, and learn some more. I would tell her to read more books on the craft of writing and less on how to get published. I would tell her to spend more time writing stories and less time polishing query letters. Had my goal been to learn to play the violin, I wouldn’t have even considered spending my time auditioning for orchestras, but somehow I thought writing was different. I was wrong.
Ironically, what began to move me towards the goal of becoming a writer was, wait for it…writing. I committed myself to putting words on a page. I made it my mission to write week in and week out and come rain or shine, I began to do just that. The hard truth for us all is that no one can read the words we haven’t written.
My very best and most sincere advice to anyone who wants to be a writer is to write.
Hugs,
Shellie
Shellie Rushing Tomlinson is known as The Belle of All Things Southern. She is an author, speaker, and radio host in the process of becoming a writer.
8 comments
Julie Cantrell says:
February 1, 2013 at 2:33 am (UTC -5 )
Yep…I see SO many people whose goals move from wanting an: agent, contract, published book, big reviews, bestseller, foreign editions, audiobook, movie deal, awards, bigger agent, bigger contract, bigger publisher, bigger reviews, bigger bestseller, etc. etc. etc. It never ends. I really don’t think anyone should write to get published…my personal opinion.
My humble advice is to write b/c you can’t NOT write. Write because it’s who you are. Write b/c there is a story coming through you that needs to hit the page. Then, and only then, should you consider sharing it. And if fame and fortune are the goals…well…I think that’s never a positive route to take. The happiest writers I know are the ones who write b/c they LOVE to write. It really is as simple as that…and thank goodness, Shellie, you are sharing your LOVE of writing and storytelling with the rest of us b/c you have too many wonderful, joyful tales not to share. It would be a crime to keep them to yourself.
admin says:
February 1, 2013 at 11:39 am (UTC -5 )
Thank you, Julie. I agree with your words completely. We write because we can’t NOT write. What I want people to guard against is leapfrogging over that to the “I must be published” to be a writer.
Lisa wingate says:
February 1, 2013 at 8:24 am (UTC -5 )
“The hard truth for us all is that no one can read the words we haven’t written.” Oh, heavens, woman, Amen! That’ll preach!
The thing that turns a dreamer into a writer is not publication, but words on the page!
Awesome day on the porch, Shellie ;o)
Shellie Rushing Tomlinson says:
February 1, 2013 at 11:41 am (UTC -5 )
Thanks, Lisa! I enjoyed getting those thoughts down. Southern Belleview often asks me to express something that I otherwise wouldn’t take the time to address! SBV rocks!
Rachel Hauck says:
February 1, 2013 at 10:49 am (UTC -5 )
Shellie, no truer words, no truer words. Best advice ever.
I often wonder why people think writing a story is so easy. “I have this book idea…” And they sit down and write thinking it’s publishable.
My conclusion is because words are apart of our very being. Stories live in us. We tell stories daily. “How was work?” “Oh man, you would not believe what Rachel did today…”
And a story is being told.
But using your violin example, just because we hear music in our head does not make us a violinist.
I love to sing, worship and play the piano but I am not a musician or songwriter…
Craft is the key to writing. Writing and rewriting is the key to success. Love your oh so wise advice today!
XO,
Rachel
Shellie Rushing Tomlinson says:
February 1, 2013 at 11:43 am (UTC -5 )
Thanks, Rach! This has been a good week at SBV. I’ve learned so much from y’all!
Beth Webb Hart says:
February 1, 2013 at 11:24 am (UTC -5 )
Brilliant advice, Shellie. Thank you so much for putting it so clearly and movingly. It’s all about the writing – the rest will follow. If I try to trace market trends and chase after this or that, I always fall flat on my face. Studying the craft, reading with an eye for learning, and writing the story on your heart – no matter how unpopular – always seems to be the best way. Thanks for the reminder, dear friend!
Much Love,
BW
Shellie Rushing Tomlinson says:
February 1, 2013 at 11:45 am (UTC -5 )
Thanks, BW! I’ve so excited about diving into your and Lisa’s latest books. Y’all are two incredibly rich storytellers. Can’t wait!