In presenting to a group of Utah high school students this week, I’m letting them know what it takes to be a writer and why its a great thing to go into. I could probably talk all day on the subject, but sadly, I was only given 30 minutes. As for the why, I narrowed it down to six.
- You are limited only by your imagination.
- It can be done almost anywhere and worked into a busy life.
- It can bless the lives of others.
- It can be a good source of income.
- It’s fun to do and to share.
- You don’t need a specific degree or license to do it. (Though it does require a lot of effort)
There are many other reasons. What are some of your reasons? What motivated you to start writing and what motivates you to keep writing?
For me, it all started with an overactive imagination. It was as if I just got to a point where it couldn’t all stay in my head anymore. I read so much growing up that I really wanted to try to make my own contribution. It has been disheartening at times, but for me all it takes is just one person telling me that they loved something that I have written to overcome all the rejections and critics that are part of writing life.
I’d love to hear all of your stories! Please comment below.
Writing Update: After knocking out that huge German translation project, I got back to the projects that are dearer to my heart. I’m up to 28,071 in Simon Says, my contemporary family drama, and up to 16,513 in my sequel to The Last Archangel. Xandir finds himself in Rome facing a demon who wants to be the second person to fiddle while the city burns.
Books by Michael D. Young 
For all of you students who came to my presentation today, you have all of today and all of tomorrow to make your comment and enter the contest. Thanks for coming!
I learned that traditional publishing is lower risk, but lower reward. Which I say is not too bad when starting off. :]
Thank you so much for taking time out of your schedual to come visit my school! I learned so many things from your lesson! To name just one; I learned that a good way to critique my writing would be to read it out loud, or have another person read it aloud and listen for where they stumbble on their words. Thank you again!
I love stories. I've always loved reading stories and now I love writing them too! Reading a story is like listening to Beethoven; writing a story is like playing Beethoven. Both are awesome, but writing kicks it up a notch!
I'm in your SF campaign group. I also sent you an email about beta reading because my MC is male. Now I have to go and change the page I just put on my blog telling people NOT to write for a living but to do it as a hobby and to win scholarships, help their job, etc. I like your take better. Same idea, really. Yours is more positive.
Amanda Gardner, you are our winner. Please send me an email at thecanticlekingdom@gmail.com with the mailing address you would like me to send the book to.