I think all writers hit some tipping point when they go from “I want to write a book” to actually writing the damn thing. For me, that tipping point was reading Stephen King’s book, On Writing.
 
It’s as fun to read as it is informative and inspirational. On Writing helped me believe I just might have what it takes to write a book. Add several years of grueling work and voila!, there I was, holding the author’s copy of my first book. (Objects in the rearview mirror might be easier than they appear.)
 
The one key point King makes again and again: A writer must write a lot and read a lot. If either of those doesn’t sound good, don’t bother.
 
In the past six years of writing, that statement has gone from “good advice” to “iron clad law.” In the next post I’ll talk about writing a lot. Here, I’ll focus on reading a lot.
 
I’ve lost count, but if I were to guess, I’m pretty sure I’ve read well over fifty books on the craft of writing. I’m not going to guess how many blog posts and articles I’ve read. And that doesn’t even touch on the hundreds of other books I’ve read, fiction and non-fiction.
 
I read to learn what works and what doesn’t. I read to understand my topic better. I read because I love reading. I read because it is water to me.
 
Let’s get back to last week’s question: How badly do you want it?
 
If you want to be a good writer, you absolutely must make time to read. There is a lot of “if it works for you” advice. This is not one of them.
 
Speaking practically, this means you will not be up on all the latest TV shows and your Candy Crush score will suffer immensely. When my mom recently asked me, “How can you not watch ‘Madam Secretary’?”, my answer was the same as to everyone else when they ask me about Viking/Game of Thrones/Flash/[insert latest “must see TV” here]: I watch extraordinarily little TV.
 
This doesn’t mean I never watch any shows; I have my one or two shows. What it means is I watch far less than the average American.
 
It also means the shows I choose usually do double duty: entertainment and improving my craft. For instance, I faithfully watched “Black List” when I wrote the first draft of Double Vodka because it inspired me to ratchet up the pressure on my characters.
 
Because reading is so important, I’m sure a fair number of my posts will be about things I have read or am reading.
 
What about you, how has reading inspired you to write?

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About Josh Kelley: I’ve written a spiritual living book, Radically Normal (published by Harvest House). My current project is a general market novel, Double Vodka. I’m also a writing coach that specializes in helping writers see the big picture of their strengths and weaknesses, offering an affordable one-session model.

A couple years back, a friend told me he was writing a book, a little Bible study type thing. I offered to help him and he laughed.

“Josh, I’ve seen how much work you put into writing,” he said. “I don’t want it to be that good. I just want something I can use in my church.”

My hat’s off to him for 1) understanding how much work he was willing to put into his project and 2) having a realistic expectation of what he would get for that amount of work.

The problem comes when someone only wants to put in a blog post effort but still get a New York Times bestseller result. 

It’s impossible to map the writing journey into some sort of “one size fits most” format. But asking yourself these two questions is as good of a place as any to start:

1. Why do I want to write?
2. How badly do I want it?

The only bad answer to the first question is a dishonest one. It isn’t wrong to say you want to change the world with your writing. It may or may not happen, but it isn’t arrogant to pursue it.

There’s also nothing wrong with saying “I just want to write something for my friends and family.” That can be very rewarding both for the writer and the reader. And it doesn’t make you any less of a writer – a writer is someone who writes, regardless of the audience size.

By the same token, the only bad answer to the second question is an unrealistic one. If, for instance, you want to change the world with your writing but aren’t willing to cancel your cable.

This is where the rubber meets the road.

I want to write books that change the world. That drives the decisions I make: I got a job as a bartender so I can write every morning. We live simple lives (a supportive spouse is pretty helpful). I turn down a lot of offers to write other stuff so I can work on my novel.

Regardless of why you write, I think you’ll find useful stuff in this blog. But those answers will drive how much effort you put into improving your craft.

Said another way, you may not like all of my suggestions and ideas. If that’s because you think I’m wrong, fine. If that’s because your writing goals don’t require putting forth as much effort as I suggest, (again) fine.

But if your goals outstrip your willingness to work...well, we’ll see how that works out.

So why do you write? What are some sacrifices you’ve made?

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About Josh Kelley: I’ve written a spiritual living book, Radically Normal (published by Harvest House). My current project is a general market novel, Double Vodka. I’m also a writing coach that specializes in helping writers see the big picture of their strengths and weaknesses, offering an affordable one-session model.

Okay, I admit it. I love watching The Voice. Jordan Smith singing “Chandelier” for his blind audition and Chloe Kohanski’s rendition of “Total Eclipse of the Heart” – that’s just good stuff. But I indulge in it for another reason. Watching these unknown artists struggle and grow inspires me in my craft as a writer.
 
I may circle back to that later, but in my first post, I want to talk about how writing is NOT like singing. Being a great singer requires a high level of innate talent. Sure, it must be honed, but someone like me could work their hardest, have Blake, Adam, and Alicia Keys all mentor them, and still top out at “mediocre.”
 
Writing, good writing, is not an innate talent only a few have. Good writing is a craft that most people can develop – providing they are willing to do the work.
 
Stephen King, in his excellent book On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft, says there are basically four levels of writers:
 
1.      Bad Writers
2.      Competent Writers
3.      Good Writers
4.      Great Writers
 
Great writers, he says, are freaks of nature. He doesn’t consider himself one of the greats. Most people on this planet are competent writers. They can put together coherent sentences and recognize good writing from bad. If you’re reading this blog, chances are extraordinarily high that you are at least a competent writer.
 
Now here’s the kicker:
 
“...while it is impossible to make a competent writer out of a bad writer, and while it is equally impossible to make a great writer out of a good one, it is possible, with lots of hard work, dedication, and timely help, to make a good writer out of a merely competent one.” Stephen King, On Writing
 
The purpose of this blog is to invite you to journey with me in becoming a good writer through developing the craft of writing.
 
My hope is to blog once a week, but if I ever have to decide between my Work In Progress or this blog, my WIP will always come first (perhaps I’ll post on “laser focus” later). The first several posts will be about getting started and from there I’ll branch out to any topic I think useful.
 
What about you, do you think that writing is an innate talent or a craft that can be developed? How does that affect how you develop your craft?


About Josh Kelley: I’ve written a spiritual living book, Radically Normal (published by Harvest House). My current project is a general market novel, Double Vodka. I’m also a writing coach that specializes in helping writers see the big picture of their strengths and weaknesses, offering an affordable one-session model.