Take a moment and look at these pictures. Think of the stories behind them.
Writers walk in the midst of stories. Life is full of them. Some are sad, some are happy. Some seem common place. But all of them are real, because the actors in them are real people, with real joys and sorrows. Real problems and pleasures. Real destinies.
Writing teaches you to care. Most authors will tell you that they have shed tears over a character in trouble. The people we write about become our friends (or our enemies). They become real to us. In fact they may take on a life of their own and force you to change your outline.
If you’re a writer, you need to learn to understand people. Your stories need real people, even if they are fiction. So learn to understand, to sympathize, and draw word pictures where people can see themselves.
Your friends or fellow church members may not understand you. They may be a bit embarrassed at you. Maybe they don’t know how to relate to you. Talk about their interests and work them into your next book!
Maybe the following has happened to you. If not, it probably will, if you’re a writer!
Other Person: What you do for a job?
You: I’m a writer.
Other Person: [gulps] Umm. Really? What do you write?
You: Books. Essays. Stories. Web content. They call me a “content creator.”
Other Person: Wow. [stutters] Well it was nice meeting you… [backs away]Other Person (5 years later): Hey, did you ever get a real job, or are you still writing?*
*Tip of the hat to Mike Atnip and Daniel Huber