Writers of the World: Cast Off Thy Training Wheels

Look--I know this is probably an unpopular opinion among my peers, but I despise writers' workshops. I think they're a worthless waste of time--time better spent coming up with prose. If you want to get better at writing...read a lot and write a lot. If you're still in school, then pay attention during English class. It's that simple.

A writers' group can be a good thing, if what you want is to receive positive reinforcement on a regular basis, and to build a sense of community with like-minded individuals. No problem there. Everyone needs support from time to time.

However, if you're serious about becoming a professional writer, there's not a whole lot a group can do for you besides making you feel warm and fuzzy. It's a lonely business, and if that bothers you, then it might be time to reassess your goals.

My advice: Find a ruthless editor (preferably one who already writes for a living) who likes to use his/her red pen. Work for him/her for a few years to build your chops. Learn about self-discipline. Learn about deadlines. Learn about rewrites. Humble yourself. Test the waters in a variety of markets. Even if your dream is to write best-selling horror fiction, inquire at local publications about their freelance needs. Write a profile for your alumni magazine. Review a restaurant for the local paper. Get used to the idea of writing as a vocation--like building a house or fixing cars.

At some point--and it probably won't take that long--you'll find out whether you can cut it. If you become relatively proficient, the skills you use in your work-a-day writing world are the same ones you'll employ when composing your dream project. In the meantime, you can build a satisfying and successful career as a working writer. There are worse things.