How to Grow as a Writer

Irene Latham here. Now that it's May and I've got irises blooming and tomato plants in the ground, I'm excited to talk with you about how to grow as a writer. As a bonafide master gardener—I took the classes and earned the certification—I am kind of in love with the garden metaphor for writing! And, much like writing, I learned in master gardener classes that whatever the books say, experience is the best teacher. I don't have a lot of experience as a master gardener...yet.

In my experience as a writer, I've learned that there are three major areas where we need to grow as writers. And, like gardening, growth involves nurturing ourselves and our projects. Sometimes that means adding something (think: fertilizer) and sometimes that means taking something away—weeding, pruning pest control. It's not always easy, and it's not always fun. 

1. GROW YOUR COMMUNITY. Plants do better in groupings than as solo plantings, and it's the same for writing. Writers need other writers. So if you want to grow your community, you can fertilize by joining a critique group or a book club. Offer your services as a beta reader to another writer...or as a presenter of a writing course or workshop to schools, libraries, or nonprofit organizations. Post content online through blogs or other social media. Attend a conference and introduce yourself to others. Ask them about their projects. Be sure to follow up after the conference. This is how relationships are nurtured!

On the pest control side, evaluate how community/social time might be preventing you from blooming. Let go of "friends" who don't support your dreams or who suck your time. Constantly evaluate how you're spending your time, and let go of the things that no longer serve you. Just like it's hard to to thin a mound of three seedlings down to only one, you have to trust that you're doing the best thing for YOU and your dreams.

2. GROW YOUR CRAFT. We're so lucky to live in a world where there are so many ways to learn new writing tricks and techniques! You can read a craft book or take an online course. Attend a conference. Write morning pages. Play around on the page. Try a new plotting formula. Write, write, write!

When it comes to weeding, how about putting an end to those bad habits once and for all. Become a ruthless self-editor. When you see yourself falling into the same story patterns, delete, delete, delete! Prune those pages. There are always other words and ways to try.

3. GROW YOUR SOUL. So much of writing happens when we're not actually writing. It has to do with the kind of lives we're living—if we're living at all amid all the "working." To grow your soul, it's important to shift the focus from the end product (book deal!) to the process. Redefine your work space as a place for JOY. Read, travel, experiment. Go to a museum, play with a child. Take a stained glass class. Make that pasta dish you remember so fondly from childhood. Sing. Ask someone to dance. Do something—anything!—different. 

Yes, weeding is required here, too. Step away from the computer. Take a break. Be gentle with yourself. You must prioritize self-care. Exercise, eat well, SLEEP. Practice by encouraging other writers. Every word you utter to your writer-friend is exactly the word your soul needs to here.

Now, get out there and GROW! I'm rooting for you all the way. ❤️