Are you asking yourself, “Can I be a writer?” If this question is burning deep within you, I want to tell you that the answer is:
“Yes! Of course!”
It takes hard work and dedication, but yes, you can be a writer.
Research topics
Begin by writing about things you are very familiar with. Write about what you know. You can research any topic and write about that subject, but it is much easier to start by writing about what you know well. In order to write about something you must be knowledgeable about it. You can’t fake it. Your readers will be able to tell that you don’t know your subject and will lose respect for you.
Back in 2011, I was hired to write numerous articles about mortgages. I had worked in the industry for five years years prior. Besides being a mortgage director, I also gave seminars and lectures on the mortgage industry to clients and colleagues, so I was familiar with how to explain various complex concepts to people who were unfamiliar with the subject.
Even though I was a mortgage expert, I would still Google the various topics requested of me. After all, it was possible that there were angles I hadn’t considered or new information on the subject I could learn. Research is always an important part of writing.
Know your sources
I was surprised by how many people wrote articles about real estate and how mortgages work, who didn’t have a clue about the area. They obviously weren’t familiar with the subject and unfortunately would copy articles from other authors who were equally clueless. It was a mess! Because I knew the area so well, I could quickly sort out the correct information from the incorrect.
So the lesson there is, watch who you’re counting as an “expert.” As a rule of thumb, if you’re researching a topic you should find three articles that support a fact (but make sure the three articles aren’t duplicates of the same article). Most likely this will keep you from making an error in trusting the wrong source. It isn’t foolproof, but it has worked for me. Of course I use common sense as a guide as well.
Stick with what you know well
If you are a new writer, the best and easiest way to make sure your information is accurate is to stick to subjects you know well.
If you want to be a writer, you must write and write and write. Work hard to write your best and improve continually. Share your work with others and get feedback. Make sure to get constructive criticism from people who are more experienced than you and continue to write and write and write. Don’t let anyone tell you to stop writing.
So, for those who are wondering, “Can I be a writer?” please know that you can. Am I suggesting that you’ll be a best-selling author overnight? No. However, if you work hard and practice your craft, you can achieve your goals!
