So, you want to be a writer?

April 3, 12:35 AMDenver Writing ExaminerMegan DiMaria

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 Have you ever dreamed of being a writer? In those quiet moments when daydreams struggle against the confines of reality, have you ever thought, “Yeah, I want to write, and I think I can.”

 Let me tell you, if I had $10 for every person who’s told me that they want to write a book/can write a book/have the perfect story for a book, then I could pay off my mortgage.

Friends, if you want to write a book or feel led to write a book—start writing. It’s not rocket science and it’s not a great mystery. Granted, you’re not going to pen The Great American Novel your first time out of the shoots, but the craft of writing is a skill that can be learned--provided you have a good story to tell.

Now that I’m published, I’ve had the unusual experience of people looking at me a little differently than if I said I worked as an accountant or as an office manager for my living. More than one person has said, “Wow. Now I know a famous author.” Tee, hee, hee. That phrase, famous author, cracks me up. My response: “I’ll only be a famous author if you tell everyone you know to buy my book.” And maybe not even then.

Francis Bacon, an English statesman and author gave the world this advice, "There is no comparison between that which is lost by not succeeding and that which is lost by not trying."

My point is, don’t live with regrets, live with dreams. I dreamed of being a published author, and I made the effort to learn everything I needed to learn to pursue that dream. Dream big and put legs on that dream. Who knows? One day you may reach your goal.