10 Signs You Should Be Writing

The writing space is ever-evolving. There are different kinds of writings and writers in the world today. Yet, there will ever be room for more. We haven’t seen all there is to writing yet. So if you are still contemplating whether or not you could break into the writing space, say no more, think no further, just come with me.

It’s easy to tell that you should be writing;

1. You love reading, you admire writers, and wishfully desire to be like them.

This is about the easiest tell-tale sign that you are a writer. Yet, for some reason, it isn’t so obvious.

Growing up, there were three basic career options; Medicine, Engineering, and Law. Anything else was either a variant of these or just something somewhere in between but not worthy of being anticipated at the end of one’s graduation from school, as a career path.

Given this, it was really difficult to articulate what I wanted to be. It wasn’t any of the choice options – this, I was sure.

But I had a large appetite for books and a tender spot for writers; I knew them by name and the specific things I loved about them. I envisaged moments with them and wishfully desired to have their reality. Yet, I never saw myself as one and wasn’t moved to write actively.

Want to know what finally got me writing? See this_My Writing Journey.

Gratefully, I am writing now, but you need not wait that long. I recently saw a review of children authors and I was awed. Perhaps a motivation to get you started, see this_ 10 Youngest Child Authors Who Prove Age Is Just A Number.

2. You instinctively reach for the pen to express yourself.

We, humans, are all expressive, only in different forms. The obvious ones may be the singers, dancers, actors, speakers, etc. Yet, the more reserved artist expresses himself through his drawings and paintings. Craftsmen express themselves through sculptures, molds, and crafts. The same is true for a writer and his writings.

Writing is beyond putting pen to paper to scribble down words. It is essentially the expression of thoughts, ideas, and emotions of a person – the writer.

You can take an inventory; how do reach out in a bid to communicate your heart? Do you sing? Do you look for someone to talk to? Do you try out new designs with clothes or do you just write? If yours is the last category, you should be writing.

I had to make this distinction at some point too. Now I can joyfully say_ I Lived Once

3. You resolve ambiguities by writing.

How do you make sense of the world and all the happenings around you?

Usually, we do this differently. Some persons resolve ambiguities by conversations – sanguines. Some by deep thinking – melancholies. Others by distraction with a movie or some activity to take their mind off it – phlegmatics. Some others by working around it in solitude until they find an answer – cholerics.

Depending on which personality type you are, you either resolve it or avoid it.

Typically, a writer will write in a bid to make sense of complex matters. He will write to understand situations.

Do you often resort to pen and paper to resolve issues? Do you journal your experiences and leave remarks of assessment on them? Then you might want to look closely at what writing is for you.

4. You have an appreciation for good writings.

It is said that we don’t see the world as it is, we see it as we are.

The things we see, the things that capture our attention are a reflection of who we are on the inside.

It takes a vocalist to appreciate beats and sound and good music. Others may listen and enjoy it, but the good vocalist picks and understands all that combined to make such beautiful music.

In the same way, a writer understands and appreciates literary pieces beyond the general acknowledgment of good writing.

What has this been for you? Do you read literature with keen eyes? Do you enjoy and appreciate the work of a well-written piece?

Can you tell what makes a good write-up? Here’s a compilation by Ann handley_ 9 Qualities of Good Writing

5. You have an instinct for words.

This is characteristic of wordsmiths. Nonetheless, writers generally have appreciable instincts for words; the ability to recall and use words correctly in expression and communication.

For some persons, it’s an innate ability, but it can be developed when one is an avid reader. Since writers are first readers, they naturally develop a wide vocabulary and instincts to recall words when in need.

You sure want to develop this trait if you do have a desire to write and communicate effectively. So you look at your word bank; how vast is it? Do you recall words easily as you write?

Here’s a tip that can help;

“Look up every new word you find on the spot and look up your dictionary daily for new words”.

6. You speak fluently.

Surprised?

In language, speaking and writing are simply different mediums of communication, and by development, speaking comes first. Hence, it impacts writing.

You won’t write too differently from the way you speak; I say this from a long experience of reading and listening to writers, a small experience of writing myself, and more – editing drafts.

When you speak fluently, you will most likely write effectively. This can be a giveaway sign to your writing abilities.

7. You communicate more writing than speaking

Although a writer may possess great speaking skills, his dominant skill will still be writing.

When there is a need to communicate, it is only natural that he will tilt in the direction of his strength, hence communicate more with writing.

In the write-up “6 Reasons Why Introverts Prefer to Write” Bob MacIntosh explains it beautifully from the point of an introvert. He might be fluent in speaking but find it stressful to keep up a long conversation.

Have you observed your speaking and writing abilities? Which do you tilt to often?

8. You Interact with a different world when you write.

Have you observed a writer in the art?

He has a picture in mind when he sits to write, and the entire construct is a combination of his thoughts, imaginations, information, speculations, and emotions.

It is far beyond putting pen to paper to scribble down words. It is essentially, an experience and it’s different every single time.

At such moments, the writer experiences a range of emotions from deep feeling of joy to reeking sarcasm, uncertainty, anger, or sadness, just about the same emotions as the tone of the message.

9. You feel relieved when you write.

Although writing cuts across every sphere of human life and can be employed in any field, it will yet be an emotional activity for some persons.

For these persons, it’s an expression of self-inspired by anything at random and it comes with relief once it’s accomplished.

Speaking of the writers at heart, gifted with innate abilities to express themselves beautifully with words. These persons will write for more personal reasons and may choose to share or not share with the world.

As in the expression of Bob Kuffner above on what writing is to a writer; a way of life more than a profession…a sacred calling that pulls at one’s soul.

This may seem way over the top for some writers but it’s the reality of others.

In which category do you belong? Do you often get writing spells? Do you write out of necessity…as a job or as a means of brand promotion? These are all valid objectives, I believe. Self-discovery is the key to mastery in any case.

10. You have a message.

This is the hallmark in writing.

It is what unifies all writers. Since writing is essentially communication, a writer is one that has something to communicate.

A writer must have a message. It is the starting point of a good write-up.

In creating this post, I saw the question, “How Do You Know You Have The Potentials To Be A Writer?” Immediately, I had the answer and penned it down with a focus to communicate that. Then the writing process began.

Over time, I’ve read and listened to writers who didn’t identify as writers until they had specific messages to communicate. And they did so beautifully. So it’s not really in the title “a writer”. It’s in the message and the skill of communicating this across through text.

You’ll know you are a writer when you have a message and can communicate it across through text. You get the message first, and it must be true to you or you’d struggle to communicate it. Afterward, you write; construct words into phrases and clauses to communicate the message.

Perhaps here’s a great place to start – knowing why you want to write. This clarifies the message and gets you started on a strong pedal.

Want to be deliberate about this? Then you could use some. See this_
22 Great Reasons to Write.

Hey-hey-heyyy! Thanks for making it through till the end.

Did you find this post useful? Got some more tips to share? Comment down below.