Post #2 Those who said YES, let's get started.

Welcome back. 

     Now that you've answered YES to the question:  Do I REALLY want to be a writer, what next?

    When I made the commitment to write, I Googled,   'How to Write.'  The consensus: Write, write, and (you guessed it), write some more.  You can't get around it.  There's no magic pill.  You have to simply write.

     My solution, so it didn't feel like drudgery, and I had something to show for it,  I started a BLOG.

     I went to Blogger.com, and opened up a blog.  Do it.  It takes half an hour or so.  Decide on a name, and a subject.  And begin typing.  Costs about a dollar a month.  Mine was StiffLeftJab.com, a blog about sports. 

      That's how I practiced.  Got started.  Fiction.  I set up a cast of characters, and through them, discussed what was going on in the world of sports.  I wrote and wrote, and wrote some more. 

       Fiction, non-fiction, poetry, blank verse, it really doesn't matter.  1200 words every three days.  My blog lasted one year, 96 posts.  To learn it, you have to do it.  (I even came up with a pen name.  I didn't want anybody to know what I was up to.  Brentwood Belair).

     My apprenticeship.  With sports I always had something to write about, and it was fun.  My undergraduate work.

     I didn't get a ton of readers.  Sports fans, I told myself, are more interested in betting on sports than reading about it?  But I didn't care.  I knew why I was doing it.  To learn how.  Like any other profession, you have to learn the ropes, see if you have the determination, the patience, see if you love doing it.  1200 words every three days, demanding, for a year.  Your test.

     Once you publish your first post, you can call yourself a writer.  Your words are being published worldwide.  People in Sidney, London, The Bronx will be hanging on your every word.   A recipe blog, a dog or cat blog, what you do everyday blog.  Doesn't matter.  Just WRITE, (post pictures, write captions).  Regardless of the number of viewers, the number of comments, the number of subscribers.  Just WRITE.  WRITE.  And WRITE some more.

     (Beside my old blog, StiffLeftJab.com, check out, 'Busblog,' and 'Raymi the Minx,' for ideas.)

     Your assignment;  Set up a blog.  Do it.  It won't take long.  You'll be so happy you did.  Have fun with it.

     Okay, next time, I have two, 'How to,' books I use.  They're the only ones I use. 

     (My first book's for sale on Amazon.  "Flower Street Melodramas.'  Buy it!   12 short stories.  If you like them, I'd appreciate a good review.  Thanks)

     Together we can get this done!

     Later...