S.E.V.E.N.

18 fool-proof series of steps for becoming a writer.

I’ve just started following a blog entitled Kiersten Writes and I’m overjoyed to find out that I’m going about ’ becoming a writer’ the correct way.Most of what has been recommended I’m doing naturally. Wow, it feels so good!

The STEPS,stolen from her blog [you think I’d write all this when I’ve other things to do?]…

…this applies equally well to deciding you’re going to write a short story or deciding you’re going to write a novel. Heck, it even applies to scholarly or work-related writing.

Step One: Decide you’re going to write a story.

Step Two: Decide it’s going to be brilliant. Imagine the response of your [teacher, classmates, reading group, agent] and how it will completely change the way they look at you.

Step Three: Open up Word.

Step Four: Stare at the blank white screen stretching on into infinity until your eyes begin to burn and your brain hurts from the sheer emptiness of it all.

Step Five: Check your email. If writing a novel, research agents for a couple of hours.

Step Six: Stare at the blank Word document again.

Step Seven: Realize you need music. Spend the next hour finding the perfect “mood” music for what you want to write.

Step Eight: Inspired by [insert perfect music here], click back over to Word document.

Step Nine: Change Facebook status to: [Your name here] is WRITING!!! Realize you aren’t on Twitter, and that anyone who is anyone is networking/wasting time on Twitter. Sign up for an account and spend the next two hours figuring out how it works and what the crap # means.

Step Ten: Stare at blank Word document. Decide you need a title. Brainstorm for the next hour.

Step Eleven: Come up with a GENIUS title. Proudly type “The Scent of Green Papayas” at the top of the document, followed by your name. Happily consider how easily a story will come now that you have such an amazing, literary title.

Step Twelve: Take a four hour break for snacks and naptime.

Step Thirteen: Refreshed, sit down and toy around with pen names for a while.

Step Fourteen: Realize to your horror that your genius title is actually the name of a Vietnamese foreign film you saw seven years ago.

Step Fifteen: Erase the title, pressing Backspace much harder than necessary.

Step Sixteen: Stare at the blank Word document until your eyes bleed.

Step Seventeen: Check Facebook. See that fourteen people have commented on your status, asking what you are writing. Feel both guilty and annoyed.

Step Eighteen: Slam your laptop shut and go to the movies. Tomorrow’s a better day for writing, anyhow.

Say, say, say [words inspired by titles of singles by MJ]

Dirty Diana, we’re almost there. Just a little bit of you this time around. Remember the time in the closet. Girlfriend,give in to me. You can’t win this time around.

Rockin Robin I wanna be where you are.Off the wall, with a child’s heart.I just can’t stop loving you.

Ben, let me carry your school books.Just a little bit of you P.Y.T. What more can I give.

Stranger in Moscow, beat it. Leave me alone.One more chance, smooth criminal.

Your turn now!