I’ve been writing for publication since I was in high school. Well . . . the publication was the school newspaper! Over the years I continued to write, learn more, and grow as a writer. That’s because of three activities to become a writer. Here they are:
- Observation. I first learned of this skill when I was 10 years old and read the Sherlock Holmes stories. For you other fans, remember how Holmes would surprise people with his knowledge of their backgrounds and circumstances. It was all based on his careful observation of clues about the person. This careful attentive type of observation is also critical to becoming a good writer.
Today, this activity is particularly difficult. Observation means turning off all the electronic stuff in order to pay attention to what’s going on around you. Try it; it might be easier than you think. This is one of the three activities to become a writer. And if you practice it I assure you that it will be fun, fascinating and even, at times, astounding!
2. Listen. I write fiction of which a big part includes dialogue. How does a writer communicate dialogue that is realistic and interesting to the reader? My wife always accuses me of being rude—or even weird—when I listen to other people’s conversations in public. “You’re so snoopy,” she says.
She’s correct. But this teaches me how people talk with one another and how I can present dialogue in my stories. You have to be snoopy. It’s one of three activities to become a writer. Like observation, if you practice this, you’ll be entertained at how interesting humans can be. Just don’t get caught eves-dropping on their conversations!
3. Question. This activity is the most fun for me. It gives me an excuse to ask people about fascinating and quirky things in their lives. Most people are anxious to share their interests and passions. If you find your own life dull, start to ask other people about their jobs, hobbies, and what they love to do the most. I guarantee your own life will be enlivened and enriched.
These are three activities to become a writer. I practice all of these and they’ve been critical to my improvement as a writer. Besides that, they’re so fun to do!
