Writing is something I love to do so it should be easy, right? Truthfully, sometimes it is, but often I find writing something of value difficult.

Why is this the case?

One thing that makes writing hard is a lack of focus. For instance, you just have no clear idea of what you are writing. Sure, it is easy to sit down with your journal or laptop and write thoughts and feelings, but often you end up with something that may have some meaning for you, but would be garbage for a reader.

Now I do not say that free-form journaling is bad. It has value. But if you have a desire to write stories or articles it just is not helpful.

The biggest difference between a professional writer and a wanna-be writer is clarity and steadiness. You might also say focus and determination, or use other terms, but the key point is knowing what you are trying to produce and then having the stick-to-it-ness to plant your butt in a chair and write. Just wanting to write a novel is not going to get you anywhere. You actually have to put the time in writing.

I suppose that is the benefit of writing workshops and MFA programs. They provide structure and role-models who have figured out how to actually produce readable work. Do you need these type of programs to become a writer? Some people do, some don’t. The key here is knowing where you are personally.

If you really want to write professionally you have to put in the time practicing your craft and art. Sit down with a goal to write an essay or a short story or a scene from your novel. Understand that this is not journaling time or surfing the internet time, but professional writing time. If you can really get the whole work-ethic thing when it comes to writing, really understand where you are and what you are trying to produce in a given writing session, you are half way home. Now, you just have to write.