The Wide World of Writing

I'm about to scream!! I just don't know where to start with this writing of mine. I've got so many avenues that I can take, but don't know which one to traverse! I suppose it's common knowledge that the best way to be a writer is to write, right? But I've always been the kind of person who doesn't like to go into things blind-folded. I like to know exactly what I'm doing when I'm doing it. I suppose that stemmed from a fear of failure. But since fear of failure is no longer a part of what I've created for my life, I guess I'd just like to know that what I write has some kind of structure and aptitude to it!

So, I have indeed been doing some writing; writing exercises, journal entries, the occasional poem, my blog, of course, and I've even began a couple of stories. But most of what I've been doing lately is simply learning things about the craft; that is, the art of writing. I've just finished listening to Stephen King's "On Writing" on audio. It was very inspirational. I was excited about it the whole way through and got lots of great guidance from it. He says that a true writer doesn't do it for the money. They do it because it's what they love. I agree with him on that account, although I would love to be able to sell my work and have my things published eventually; doesn't matter where. I wouldn't mind a blurb in Reader's Digest or even a short story in Ebony magazine or Playboy for that matter.

What I want for my writing is to be able to share it with people and have them say "Wow, I felt that! That really got me thinking" or "That was hilarious! I laughed all the way through" or "That was so uplifting! I appreciate you for that. It was so good!".....simple inspiration, and the provocation of emotions. That's it. Of course, a writing credit never hurt anybody either. I'd love to see my name in Vibe magazine as a "contributor", or in a collection of stories by new gay writers, "story by Darald Murray". I think I would literally pass out.

But I guess I have to start writing now for that, hunh? Start writing and keep writing, that is. There will always be things to learn about the art of writing, and of course, I'll want to know as many of these things as I can, but the challenge will be to write and learn these things at the same time. And Stephen King confirms - the best way to learn the skill of writing is to simply write. I can do that. I love doing that. I'm going to love challenging myself to be creative, to be imaginative in my descriptions and to expand my visions on paper.

As I've really only just begun as a writer, it's scary because my ideas won't always be exciting, my style won't necessarily be crisp and smart right out of the gate, and the person that I was liked to be right every time. I'm courageous now, though. I make note of my fear and I act anyway. So this writing thing won't scare me away. I'm in this for the long haul. The hours are gonna be long and it's gonna really take something for me to pull myself away from my beloved reality shows to sit down, put pen to paper and simply create for a couple of hours every day. But, inside the stand that I'm taking as a writer, it's all possible.

There's a million things that I could write and even more things out there to write about. I plan to tackle as much as I can. I'm going to write a novel I know, but first I've decided to create some short stories and see how they come out. I'm really excited to get those underway; to build up my portfolio, so to speak. So, I've gotten started. I'm writing and will continue writing, and once I get my laptop, create my own space where I can close the door against all distractions, get my printer and my reams of paper all set up and am really able to flex my arms, the wide world of writing better watch out!!