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"How does one become a writer?"

Do you wake up one morning and have an epiphany that your destiny is to be the next Great American Author?

Most of the writers who write on Helium know that to become a writer, it's inherent; you don't wake up one morning drinking your V-8 juice, slapping yourself in the head and coming to the conclusion you are now a writer. You were born with the ability to create a world of wonder with your words.

Do you remember the first time someone told you that you have a talent for writing? I remember distinctly.

In fourth grade, my teacher gave us an assignment to write an essay about a famous
person in American history. My choice was President Abraham Lincoln. She didn't expect me to research several periodicals, write the essay and then bind it. I just did it because I thought that was the way to do it.

Guess what she said? "You should become a writer."

And so it went for several years. I was editor of the high school paper, and I wrote for the two local newspapers. But I never felt like I had hit my stride as a writer. The accolades were nice, but I never seemed to be fulfilled.

Even when I became the editor of a national trade publication, I never thought that I had arrived. My paltry paycheck, instead, was further proof that to be a successful, wealthy writer, I would have to keep looking for different avenues of revenue. That never happened.

So what did I do? I gave it all up and entered the working sector in the only other business I knew-retail. I've been mired in this rut for so many years I've come to wonder that my gravestone will read: "Here lies a man who had the talent to become a writer but chose to follow the path of least resistance."

Then one day I got this letter from a correspondence writing course, "Longridge Writer's Group," inviting me to send an essay in to see if I was qualified enough to take their course. I thought to myself, "Why not me? Why have I been wasting my brain away with something that has no creative value for the world.

Taking that course revived my desire. I found a free lance gig with another national trade publication and rode that out as long as I could until I got bored with writing puff pieces on go-kart companies.

Well, with my confidence brimming, I found myself in a situation where someone wanted a book written about her life as an adopted child. I would never presume it will be the chosen as a Pulitzer Prize winner, but my excitement level for writing has never reached this kind of zenith. In our dreams, how many of us would love to see our books in a bookstore? That would certainly be my legacy to leave to the world.

So, have I "become a writer?" Hard to say, but I can tell you this much-whether I'm accepted as a legitimate author or not, it's not that important. What is important is it means that I am forever striving to be the best at what I do. The journey itself is more satisfying than the end destination.

Ask yourself, then, if you didn't choose to "become a writer," would your tombstone say the same thing as mine would have been? Hopefully, you'll be like me and not give up on your dreams before it's too late.

Learn more about this author, Thomas Russell.
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