Declaration. I am a writer.Belief. I know I can do this.
But do what exactly?
How fine it is to make the outer declaration and hold fast to that inner faith. But without the initiative to take concrete action, declaration and belief aren't even worth a cup of coffee.
And we all know how much writers need their coffee.
This third of the 15 Habits of Great Writers is the bugler's reveille. Pick the thing you most want to write and start writing it. Even if it's scary, even if you have no idea where to begin.
Begin you must, and that is what Great Writers do every day.
In addition to being a writer, I'm also a musician. I'm a pianist, and I've worked as an accompanist for some wonderful school choirs, as well as churches and community groups. I'm also a handbell player, and have played with a professional group. You'd think I'd be satisfied with my proficiency in these instruments.
But no. The musical thing I really wish I could do is sing.
As an accompanist, I work with singers all the time. I'm in the background, and part of me likes that just fine. The spotlight isn't on me. I'm a support person at heart, and I'm usually content to bask in reflected glory.
Deep down, though, I hunger to be the star, the one who can open their mouth and release melody into the air.
Writing is no different. I'm pretty comfortable in my niches - blogging, book reviewing, technical writing.
But oh how I crave to write a novel.
To create an entire world spun from the web of my imagination.
That would take a major initiative on my part.
I don't know if I'm "great" enough for that just yet.