# Embracing Your Inner Writer: A Journey of Growth and Discovery
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Chapter 1: The Dream of Writing
Have you ever felt the desire to become a writer, particularly a skilled one?
Your journey often begins with a longing to write. You’ve gathered journals over time, starting and stopping, only to pause yet again. You realize you need a stable job to support yourself because, ultimately, you are your own responsibility. Your aspirations loom large—dreaming of becoming an exceptional writer fills your thoughts. Yet, amidst those dreams, reality sets in with bills piling up and no salary increase despite your hard work. You find yourself in a cycle of "quiet quitting," wondering if there's something more fulfilling out there.
The Solution
A friend suggests you check out their stories on Medium.com. You follow their advice—reading and clapping for the content you enjoy, again and again. You begin to ponder whether these narratives resonate with you in meaningful ways. Perhaps they’re insightful, motivational, or simply relatable. The answer is a resounding "YES!"
The Revelation
The moment strikes you: if your friend can write, so can you. If they can share their experiences, surely you can too, even if it’s just a little outside your comfort zone. So, you start writing, pouring out your thoughts and feelings, and sharing them widely. Eventually, you publish your stories, totaling 25 pieces (a glimpse of which is listed below). One of your works, titled "Sell It, Donate, Dump It!" is featured through a publication called NWW. To your surprise, you receive positive feedback—someone connects with your words!
Your Works: A Sampling of the First 25
- Honey Bumpkin Wanted
- Voices of Eviction
- Ode to MWI
- Roommate/Rent Mate/Invisible
- No Cheesecake for Me?
- When Food Does Not Satisfy?
- Psychologist/Sociologist of Medium
The Dilemma
Now, you face another challenge: the need to write more. You seek a larger audience and constructive feedback. A mentor or two would be invaluable, along with guidance on what to do—or avoid—to streamline your journey.
Reading responses to your stories and constructive critiques proves beneficial. A special thanks to Robert Ralph for introducing you to Ayodeji Awosika and a writing class that opened your eyes to new concepts.
Writing Class Insights
You’re encountering a steep learning curve, but you’re ready to tackle it head-on. You feel like the tortoise in this race, diligently researching each topic as you go. It’s akin to being a hamster on a wheel, yet you persist, determined to push through. All you want is to write!
“I’m writing a first draft and reminding myself that I’m simply shoveling sand into a box so that later I can build castles.” - Shannon Hale
“Write your first draft with your heart. Rewrite with your head.” - Mike Rich
“If you have no critics, you’ll likely have no success.” - Malcolm X
Getting Up to Speed
Your primary tools have been Google search and Gmail, which have served you well. You’ve also turned to YouTube for tutorials and guides, alongside platforms like Teams for O365 and Zoom for collaboration.
This leads to the crux of your narrative—do you also find yourself in this boat? Remember, you’re not alone. It’s time to "G.T.S." (Google That Shit)!
Exploring New Tools
What is Quora?
Quora is a collaborative question-and-answer platform where users generate and curate content.
What is Slack?
Slack is a business messaging tool that facilitates seamless communication among teams.
How to Use Instagram? How to Use Twitter?
While you’ve had accounts for a while, you’re just beginning to explore their potential.
What are Google Docs, Drive, Sheets, Meet, and Workspace?
These tools are essential for modern writers and professionals, and it’s time to familiarize yourself with them.
The Writing Journey Ahead
You are on the verge of embarking on a transformative writing journey. Your goal is to express yourself while inspiring others.
“I write for Life/Inspiration/Health on Medium to step out of my comfort zone.”
“Unleashing my creative side has been a journey of survival and growth!”
“The greatest part of a writer’s time is spent in reading, in order to write. A man will turn over half a library to make a book.” - Samuel Johnson
“A bird doesn’t sing because it has an answer; it sings because it has a song.” - Maya Angelou
Copyright © 2022 Crystal Guthrie. All Rights Reserved.
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