by Ruth Belena

Created on: June 18, 2009

A productive writer becomes a better writer. The best way to develop as a writer is to write, and continue to write, until it becomes more than just a habit. Anyone who makes a habit of writing can soon become addicted to it.

Addiction demands that an urge be satisfied, and the compulsion to write can be powerful and irresistible. If this was not so, there would be far fewer writers.

Writing is a stimulating experience. When addicted writers are not writing, they are thinking about writing. They are observing, listening, reading or doing some research. Then they can write more about what they experience and discover for themselves.

Writers take great joy in the creative process. Most writers experience a natural high when a piece is successfully completed, and get great satisfaction when they have written something worthwhile.

Some unpublished writers keep writing because it fulfills a genuine need, rather than being motivated by the idea of making money. Habitual writing does bring its own rewards, but writing addicts also earn a good income from writing. They get paid to do what they love most; successfully completing writing projects, submitting regularly to publishers, posting on blogs, adding content to websites, reporting news or writing reviews.

A dedicated writer will always aim to achieve a higher quality of writing. Addicted writers are usually perfectionists who are never satisfied that they have written their best piece. They know their own standard of writing will improve, the more they write.

It does not occur to someone with a writing addiction that there could be a time when the writing process stops. Compulsive writers never feel their work is over, never think there is nothing more to write about. Writing addicts seldom suffer from writer's block, simply because the urge to write is too strong for them to break the habit. They create more easily, out of love.

There is no way out of being addicted to writing, and no true writer wants to be cured of this compulsion. It is a benevolent addiction with no serious side affects. Family and friends may complain about the amount of time a writer spends indulging the habit, but their concern is based on lack of understanding. Only a writer knows how it feels to be compelled to write and be desperate to continue with work in progress.

Never worry about becoming dependent upon writing. There are many benefits to be gained from a writing habit, and it is quite possible for someone with a good writing habit to become totally addicted to writing. Then the rewards become even greater.

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