Source: Novel Journey: Interview with Tim Maleeny.
I think writers grow up as readers — passionate readers who get lost in books in a way that casual readers don’t. At some point a subset of those readers decide they have a story inside them, and then it becomes a question of stamina and commitment. And long hours in front of a keyboard for many, many years. So I guess I’d have to say a writer is made at that moment when a reader decides there’s a great story waiting to be read, only this time they have to write the story first. That’s what writing is…telling yourself a story.
Tim,
I agree that most writers are readers first, and when I hear that one is not (very rare), I do not understand how or why they had managed to become such (I?) I mean, how would one know? I know folks with a good story in them–most people you talk to–once they hear you’re a writer-will tell you of their great story, and then tell you why they haven’t written it, yet. Those of us who manage to get to the page, we are rare breed. Once, on a book tour, I was asked in a radio interview: “What is the one piece of advice you have for new writers?” My answer: “Sit down and do it.” It’s the only thing that makes us into that “subset” you mention above. There is no other way to become a writer than by writing–don’t you think?
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Warmly, Cynn Chadwick,