Writers write

Looking at my archive, I see that, prior to this week, I've only posted four entries this year.  There are certainly any number of reasons (i.e., excuses) for that, but the truth is that I simply haven't made writing, whether in this venue or elsewhere, a priority in some time now.  But, I'm setting out to change that, or at least make an attempt.

I want to be a writer.  Oh, I write all the time for work, but the nature of that writing, full of techno-speak and legaleze, doesn't really make me a writer, in my opinion.  I want to tell stories, to entertain, to enlighten.  And I don't feel like I've been doing much of that in a long time (if ever).

I keep encountering a bit of wisdom that says that "writers write".  The idea is that a true writer writes as much and as often as he or she can.  Writers *make* time to write, which is something I have not done.  Among other things, I've been reading.  My pile of "to be read" books more closely resembles a mountain, and I keep signing up for new book giveaways from Goodreads.  That looming pile of books intimidates me into spending my free time reading rather than writing.

So, how am I going to change this pattern?  Well, for one thing, I'm going to stop looking for more books to add to the "to be read" pile.  I'm not going to sign up for more Goodreads giveaways, and I'm going to cull my "to be read" pile to get rid of the books that I've lost interest in.  And I'm going to try not to let the pile intimidate me.  The books aren't going anywhere, they can wait until I get to them.  I am going to try to spend at least a little time everyday writing, even if it is just a few minutes.  Some of that writing may show up here, some of it elsewhere, some of it may never leave my documents folder.  But I will write, and I will be a writer.