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It is possible to define the act of becoming a writer in three broad stages. They will each in turn of course be split in to many sub stages and sections but, essentially, we are looking at the desire to become a writer, the act of sitting down and actually writing, followed by that which can be the most daunting or all, the process of successfully getting ourselves published as writers.

The desire to become a writer is something which I firmly believe is always there within us from the earliest moments of childhood. This desire may not manifest itself, even to the potential writer themselves, until much later in life but there will be signs to show that the individual has within them a creative streak.

An active imagination as a child is always a good pointer to the child harbouring writing ambitions. They may be a perpetual "fibber," telling wondrous stories to all who are prepared to listen which can never be true. They may have a plethora of imaginary friends with whom they embark on great adventures. They may be avid readers or listeners to fairy stories in their earliest years, the material developing as they grow older, and even try their hand at producing same. Any or all of these points suggest a harboured creativity which is so essential to becoming a writer.

When a desire to become a writer is recognised by the individual, the next logical step is of course to begin the process of attempting to write. This can be a crucial and pivotal point in the aspiring writer's career, as if they make the mistake of thinking that all they are required to do is sit down with a pen and paper or even at a computer keyboard and produce a contender for the next Nobel Prize for Literature, they have a very rude awakening coming. Writing is very much a game of trial and error, learning from mistakes just as much from successes and persevering at all times until the desired results can be achieved.

The first step on this road to producing quality writing is to carefully select the subject upon which we wish to write. It should at this stage be something which we are knowledgeable upon and therefore have a great deal of available material. Complex writing which requires detailed research and investigation can if so desired be tackled much further down the road when the writer has learned something of their craft. They should always be looking to start off on what may effectively be deemed safe ground.

When the writer has sweated long and hard and revised and rewritten at length in order to create a piece of writing with which they are satisfied, it is time to investigate publishing options. This may be achieved by purchasing such as The Writers' and Artists' Yearbook, or simply by conducting online searches. The nature of what they have written will determine to the largest extent how this process should be explored. What they have to do, however, is remember to be realistic and acknowledge the fact that they are just starting out. Overnight success is something which comes to very few, in whatever pursuit they have chosen to follow.

If the writer pays heed to and successfully navigates these three stages to becoming a writer, they may think that they have been successful and that all the hard work has been done. The reality is that nothing could be further from the truth and that they have only just reached the stage where the hard work begins. Unless they have somehow produced the next, "Gone With the Wind," which will set them up for life, they now have to work at writing more quality material and continuing to get it published. The rewards can be more than acceptable for writers but it is a constant effort to produce and sell that which brings success.

Learn more about this author, Gordon Hamilton.
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