I want to be a writer.
I know that probably comes as a shock to most of you. If you were to look at my life from the outside you might think: “He would like a mediocre job and to sit on the couch and read and watch tv for the rest of his life.” You’d only be 15% right in that thinking though. I say 15%, because honestly if we could make a living at it who of us wouldn’t just be a little lazy and do our hobbies?
So. Anyway. I want to be a writer. An established, published writer, who you will someday say things about like: “Have you read the latest by Stippick? Powerful stuff man. Powerful stuff.”, or “Man, that article by David Stippick the other day made me laaauuugh!”. You know. The normal things like that.
I want to write fiction and non-fiction. I want to write articles. I’d even love to write a screenplay for a movie, and create and write for a television show. I think I can do those things. Although, that movie may only get made out of pity by my good friend James Hunt who I know will one day be making all the hit movies you’re going to see.
I also realize that this doesn’t just happen. It takes discipline to work at it, and being able to listen to the critiques of loved ones, and people you have never met, and being willing to hear “No”. But also knowing that some of those loved ones are just to close to see that you might actually be good at something they hadn’t noticed, and those people you’ve never met may not be the people who need to hear what you have to say.
So anyway. As far as the discipline goes, I am even so scattered on here. Part of that is because I’m honestly scared to write. Anyone who can type and knows how to get on the internet can have a blog. So what makes me different than any of those people? I don’t know. I honestly don’t. Maybe there isn’t anything. Maybe in eight years I realize that this dream will never happen, and I’ve wasted a lot of time and $25 a year on a domain name, and just give up. But right now…there’s just something inside of me, and God is pushing me telling me that I do have something to say. I have read this blog post on Stuff Christians Like several times in the last few days as I struggle with that, and here’s what I’ve decided.
I’m a good writer. I’m not great. But I’m above average. God has given me a passion for it, and He’s given me talent for it. It is something I need to chase after until He tells me to stop. I know that that means I’ll spend quite some time working a day job. But I’m ok with that. If that is what is required of me to get where I think He is pointing me, then I really have no option but to do that.
So. I’ve declared it publicly. Which…honestly doesn’t mean much other than that now you all know for sure. And you might ask questions about it. And that might make me uncomfortable for a while. But I shouldn’t be uncomfortable in my own skin. Now when people ask me what I want to do, I can really say “I want to be a writer” (because I’ve made that fact known on the interwebs on my blog that has a steady readership of two), and “I’m actually working on a book right now” (because that’s actually true).
I want to be a writer.
-Stippick
P.S. If you know anyone in the biz, let me know.
Did you see the tweet about having a proposal contest on SCL?
I actually just now saw it…I started working on mine…As I’m sure several thousand other people the world over did…Thanks!
follow that passion, stippy. write your book! i’ll buy it for sure (because i support you…and i want to see how i’m portrayed!).
Hey! I’m so glad that I get to get connected with you! Right on!
So, you want to be a writer. Then, write. It’s like the old joke– “How do you get to Carnegie Hall?” Answer: “Practice, Practice”.
My most favorite part of writing is that you are creating when you write. (By the way, you and I are made in the image of “the Creator”. So, when you write you are actually expressing yourself divinely. Wow!
Now, back to the practice thing…As your read novels, pay attention to the techniques of other authors. Try out those techniques. My 9th grade english teacher gave me the best advice ever–”Writing is a process of discovery!”
With practice you will discover your voice, your favorite styles, and techniques.
Enjoy!
Oh BTW- I work for a company that provides tools for…..Writing!
I will also be releasing a new software application for achieving any dream–stay tuned as “The Dream Machine” comes out in 2 weeks!
God Bless!
Hey David,
From the very first time I read you, even before I heard you on the phone, when you still thought I was a parent creeper(lol!), I told Meredith that you wrote well. You know Byron has a lot of background here. When you visit this summer, you should really pick his brain on this! Here’s some tips I have heard him say:
1. Write every day. Dedicate a regular time to sit and write something.
2. Carry a journal or some type of pad or notebook to jot down those pithy thoughts that come to you in daily life. If you don’t jot them down right away, some times (most times?) they excape, never to return. You never know when those will be key lines or prominent thoughts in your next work (or even fuel to feed your muse when you have a bit of a block.)
3. Read good, well-written, classic literature. You are influenced to write, by what you read. And in case you don’t know what defines a classic, it’s simply something that remains and stands the test of time.
Those are good starters. You are SO right about being willing to accept criticism. You have to learn to divorce your feelings about your work to some degree from what people say about it. You also have to figure out how much you are willing to compromise, as far as how much you will bend for a publisher and his requirements. Like the rest of your life, you bring these disciplines under the broader umbrella of your faith, believing because God has called you are you are seeking his will, that which God gives you passion for is part of his will for you. All the best as you follow your dreams on this!