I don’t usually describe myself as a writer. I read a tweet that said “If you write, you are a writer. If you get paid to do it, you’re just lucky” which is a really nice way to look at things, but I am sorry to say that it doesn’t put food on the table.
Thanks primarily to the internet and the rise of the blogger, pretty much everyone and their Nan is a writer now. I don’t perceive this as a bad thing, although if I am being completely honest I do sometimes look at bloggers who have become published authors or found lucrative employment through their writing and think “How?” as personally, I am not a fan of what they do. However, you can’t please everyone all of the time and the fact that I don’t like it means precisely naff all in the grand scheme of things.
My boyfriend works for a certain car retailer and he told me that when they released a new car, they actually invited the car bloggers down to see and test drive the vehicle before the press. That is truly amazing and shows how influential a blogger can be. I know a lot of beauty and fashion bloggers are sent samples of things to test and review, and I like their reviews a lot because they feel personal and honest.
I did used to wonder why no-one sends me anything free but then I don’t really write about the right areas to do this. I write about whatever bit of rubbish is floating in my head or about bands, usually where at least one of their members is dead. If anyone does want to send me something- a button, half a doughnut, anything, you’d make my day.
Now my friends know about my writing on The Daily Waffle, they keep saying “I want to do that!” So, do it. I don’t think writing is or needs to be an elitist thing. You don’t need a degree, an exceptionally high vocabulary or a special pass allowing you to do it; absolutely anyone can write a blog about anything they like. If you have a particular interest or passion, write about it. If you’re not sure about what you’re saying, simply pop on to Google and research. Someone somewhere will always find you interesting. I am perpetually dumbfounded by nice comments and feedback about my work, and I do get them, occasionally. If even one person reads a piece I have written and enjoys it, then I have succeeded.
I do refer to my blogging as “work” which I know secretly makes my boyfriend laugh. It is work because it does require time and effort. However, I wouldn’t do it if I didn’t enjoy it. If I ever stop enjoying it, I will stop. I can’t see myself ever running out of drivel to spout at people because something is always happening – be it current events, sport, technology, health, fashion, beauty or whatever your chosen subject is, there will always be a wealth of areas to write about.
Rather like literature, there is no right or wrong way to do it. I will happily compare a daft bit of chick-lit named something like “Don’t you Warrant Me Baby” (about a woman who falls in love with a police officer, get it?) to a literary “classic”. They both have their own merit and they both took time and effort to write. I won’t be told what writing has value and what doesn’t.
Despite my obsession with books, reading them, writing them and owning them, would you like to know the truth? I hate Shakespeare. Hate it. I haven’t the foggiest idea what he is carping on about and I’m not going to pretend to love it simply because I think I should. I also hate Mary Shelley’s “Frankenstein”, which I studied for my A-Level English. What a pile of tosh. It is a horrible dreary slog that took a packet of Pro-Plus and some screaming to wade through- the only good part is when the Creature quotes “Paradise Lost”. On the other hand, Harper Lee’s “To Kill a Mockingbird” is a ridiculously beautiful, echoingly stunning book, as is Charlotte Bronte’s “Jane Eyre”. I like those books because I like them- not because I feel I should. I’m not embarrassed to be seen reading anything on the bus or the train because I’m the only person who has to read it, so the rest of you can shove off. Remember this and don’t ever be embarrassed by what you choose to write about.
Every piece of writing you do matters. I scribble down any ideas I get in my “Ideas Book”, or if I haven’t got that I record it as voice note on my phone. A particular phrase I like, a quote or just a thought can blossom into something really amazing. Everyone has opinions, thoughts, feelings and passions in life, and if you want to write about it, then do it. It doesn’t matter if you’re a very wordy writer (like me, I am the Duracell Bunny of writing. I just keep going and going and going and going….) or if a quick snappy paragraph is your style, get it down on paper before it floats back into your memory. Don’t ever let anyone make you feel like you shouldn’t, and remember that T.S Elliott wrote beautiful poems while working full time at a bank so really, there is no excuse. Rather than being too afraid to have a little go and pop something down on paper, why not try and see how you get on?
If it is any help to someone thinking of starting to write (although heaven forbid you should turn out like me) I started with poetry, then moved on to stories and now I have a little dabble in everything. I still write poetry, stories, plays, these articles and reviews, and obviously I tweet like a lunatic which is always good for getting the creative juices flowing. If I have ever made someone laugh, smile, cry, tell their friend about what they read, or even better roll their sleeves up and say “This dipstick is a writer? I’ll show her a writer!” then I have done what I always wanted. I rather feel I should be smoking a pipe and sitting in a rocking chair at that statement.
I would also like to extend my thanks to The Daily Waffle for allowing me to Waffle amongst kin, and for being supportive and generous with their time. If anyone reading this thinks they might like to have a go, I really say do it, and do it here because you’ll never feel alone. If anyone needs some help, I am always available to have a little read and exercise my grammar obsession all over your work. Have a little go- you could just surprise yourself.
