How Do I Become a Writer?

Write something.

As soon as you write one word, you’re a writer.

Until then you’re just someone with an idea they had in the shower or while they were taking a walk.

But if you write it down, you’re a writer.

If you’re only going to write one word, try to make sure it’s the right word. But if it isn’t, don’t worry about it.

You can cross it out and write a better word tomorrow. And a better one after that.

Eventually it will be the right word.

But if you can write one word, you can write two words. Or three.

If you can write three words, you can write a sentence. If you can write a whole sentence, you can write a paragraph.

If you can write a whole paragraph, you can write a book.

That’s what writing is. It’s writing one word at a time, many times over.

With luck, each word will be the right word. If it’s not, make it a better word next time around.

Eventually, they'll all be the right words.