How to Write When You’re Not Born a Writer

I was not a born writer and like others, some people like me are just born with the "love of words".

I did write blogs in my puberty years at Multiply and Friendster Blogs, but I never sustain writing and was bad at posting regularly. Good thing though, Multiply and Friendster are gone and took away my teenage rants with them, so there's no evidence of what kind of writing I was into.

My first job after college is in a radio network (not on-air) and part-time broadcast news writer for a television network (in Filipino). Late last year, I was offered to do a web content writing job for a startup company. I was hesitant at first because I don't have a solid writing experience and I didn't like it that much as a hobby, but still pushed through because of some career-related crisis.

Today, I write by profession. How did I keep up? Here’s my story:

Know the drill.

My writing was (or is) very elementary, but maybe, I just know the drill - how to start, how to express my thoughts and how to end it - thanks to journalism-related college subjects. Writing is a learned skill for me. A good plus is that I am surrounded by people who are just brilliant at what they do - these people somehow pushed me to be better.

Do your part.

Writing is thinking. It has been an everyday learning for me - from grammar to the quality, to the flow of content - everything. I need to re-learn what I think I know. If you really want to pursue writing, gather information, resources and tips to improve your skill. Creativity and knowledge isn't inject-able, moreover, doesn't come instantly into your system.

Write from the heart.

I know writing from the heart is not something you can impose to someone, but if you think you have the passion to share your thoughts and influence other people through your words, it will come out - it will be seen and felt by your readers.

Accept criticisms.

Trust me, I've seen/read/(over)heard A LOT about my articles - everything in my face. But guess what? What it did to me is to make a better version of my writer-self. Now, what do you say?

What did you do to really write despite being unnaturally writer?

This can also be found on Linkedin :)