There are days when being a writer can be nothing but frustration. Writing is a solitary activity and a lot more work than most people think, and even if you enjoy it there are certainly times when you are sitting at your desk that you think, I could be doing things normal people do. Yet all of us who continue to write have dreams and goals. They aren't necessarily to be rich and famous writers, though few of us would turn down the money, but they are dreams.

The most important thing to do if you dream of being a professional writer, or even if you just want to see your work in print is to continue to write and remind yourself each time that you sit down and put words to paper that the definition of a writer isn't someone who is paid to write, or who has his name in the paper, the definition of a writer is someone who writes.

Next and almost as important in the process of being a writer is to give yourself a break from time to time. Chasing a dream is great but if you find yourself wishing that you were outside enjoying the day then turn off the computer and go outside. Taking the day off is not going to change who you are and it can take away pressure that leads to frustration and ultimately writers block.

Third is what has worked the best for me. That is to think of your writing as school. Writing is a career just like any other and a competitive field that requires real skill. In fact any other career of the same difficulty would require 4 or 8 years of college full time, and you would be spending money to do so. Why assume then that you're going to be a great writer six months after you begin when you've been doing it part time? This shouldn't frustrate you any more than it does someone who spends four years getting a teacher's degree.

If you need encouragement one of the things that has helped me the most is keeping a few of my very first stories intact. Don't edit or improve them, just keep them into a drawer next to your computer and when you feel like a horrible writer read them and see how much you have improved.

Finally, the last step is in some ways the hardest. That is to continue to send your work out. No matter how hard you work, how much you improve and how long you do it if no one reads your work they'll never have the chance to accept it.

Learn more about this author, Elton Gahr.
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