The fight of a new writer

by David Castanho
15th April 2014

The fight of a new writer

A writer is someone who goes by with their daily life. A writer is someone like you and I. However, they notice the details of life. The sounds of spring and the feelings of fall. They don't notice the really obvious details like the sea is blue, but that it moves motionless at times, relaxed and content. The bitterly cold sting it spreads through you in those first few moments of contact. The reoccurring battle to avoid writers block and and waking in the early hours of the morning because a scene has just play out in their heads, or a character has just said something that they just have to get down on paper.

A writer, especially a "wanna be" feels the pressure of deadlines and word counts, the neverending 1st draft and the strict competition between them and the professionals; who are already whipped into perfection and know their way around a reader. But a writer will never quit, will never break - not a true writer. The rejections and criticism will make them stronger and smarter the second time around.

Although they are alone, sitting in that chair and facing the fierce industry, the ambitions and dreams that burns in their heart is enough to keep their imagination running, making the journey from start to finish a worthwhile adventure. A writer is someone who believes that they can make it, no matter how big the climb or the force of the struggle. A writer believes that they can make it and be worthy of writing the words "The End

Replies

Hi again David.

I've been musing on your thoughts for a few days because it had never occurred to me to see writing as a 'battle' with the industry & established writers, although of course it certainly could be seen that way. For me the 'battle' is with myself - to have the self belief necessary for a never ending learning journey which takes courage, dedication, commitment and perseverance. Writing is much harder work than I ever thought it would be!

And you're right about the heightened powers of observation, the need to catch & squirrel away all sorts of snippets of life for future use. I also find that I can't read in the casual way I used to because I'm tending to critique whether I like to or not.

Writing is enormously satisfying, but certainly not for the faint hearted!

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susan
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susan Russell
17/04/2014

Thank you I put a lot of time into this piece, I just wish that all big dreamers would stick the agonising stage of the first draft without becoming bored or stressed, I wrote this hoping to inspire first timers such as myself to keep the faith :)

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David
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David Castanho
16/04/2014

BEAUTIFUL... inspiring and encouraging.

I feel writer's don't experience 'mistakes' but misplaced words that with further creativity become stories we enjoy reading and some even masterpieces.

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Carla
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