Hey, I’m Colston. Welcome to my blog!
I’ve been an amateur writer for quite a while. And it’s time for that to change!
Are you writer? Have your family, friends and acquaintances told you that your writing is above average or even great? Have they encouraged you to pursue writing professionally? Or have you simply had these thoughts for yourself?
So have I.
Unfortunately, I’ve never taken the step of becoming consistent over long periods with my writing, and putting my work out there for public consumption. The only time I’ve done this is when I spent about six months hosting an open mic for poetry. During this time I wrote consistently, performed consistently and shared my work publicly. However, since writing was only a hobby, I let my activity dwindle to a minimal effort. Lately, I’ve only written pieces that I’ve kept to myself. I’ve shared a few of my projects with friends, but I’ve not shared these works in a broader context.
I have family and close friends who constantly ask me about new projects. I’ve even had family members commission my creation of poems for their weddings.
I can recall debating movies and TV shows with friends in which we give our ideas on how disappointing offerings could be improved. My friends would often give me feedback stating my ideas would be great to implement.
If you’ve ever received any praise for your work as being unique, exceptional and/or engaging, in any regard, then we share something with many other writers. And if you’ve been one of the people offering said encouragement, then I’m sure you’ve been frustrated at seeing someone you care for not maximize on their talent. This mirrors the frustration I’ve seen in those family members and friends who have encouraged me, over the years.
What many of us lack is the motivation to take our writing beyond the hobby phase.
We all neglect this for our own reasons: lack of confidence in our work, anxiety about reception to our work from larger society, competing responsibilities (whether family, career or other), or general apathetic or complacent attitudes toward the work involved to evolve into professional status.
I’ve experienced all of the former at one point, or another. But do you know what never went away? The aspect that always stayed with me was the desire to write; the urge to create via the written word. Whether it was writing an email or a social media post to share my breakdown of social phenomenon, a review of a video game, a poem or story scene, I continued to write.
In an interview with Talib Kweli, Yasiin Bey (formerly Mos Def) stated that those who truly love music will eventually try to make it. I believe the same holds for written art. Those of us who love it will continue to create it without the need of external validation or motivation.
However, I do hold a vision of being an accomplished, professional writer. And I believe I should pursue this dream while I still have the opportunity. I would love to inspire others to write their stories, as well. I don’t expect an easy road, but I do hope to enjoy the journey wherever it may lead.
And for those who do not write, but love to read, I welcome you. It’s been said that writers write so that readers can read.
So, whether you are reader, writer, or both, I invite you peek in on my trek toward professional writing.
Would you care to join me?