How to Be a Writer

Destroying yourself for the words inside you

A friend asked me 
how to be a writer.
I wanted to say,
lock yourself in a room,
scream until you have 
a poem and no voice.
Open your veins and bleed 
until you know that your bones
are pure words and sorrow. 
Act as if you slit your own throat
and all you can bleed
are your own regrets 
and all of the darkness
you boxed up for inspiration. 
Write your mom a letter,
tell her you're leaving
and you won't be back for awhile
Because being a writer is traveling 
through all seven layers of Hell
and denying anything is wrong.
Forget loving yourself 
when all you have is a pen and paper
fused to your wrist
and Jesus is tapping at your skull
saying turn back now.
Warn the neighbors that if they smell burning
It's just your soul 
clawing at the front door trying to get in. 
Learn how to be alone. 
Learn how to lose everything you have
in order to feel release,
learn how to only feel deceased 
from now on.
A friend asked me
how to be a writer.
All I said was
don't

Reviews

[Crowley]

At times it is like that for me as well. At other times it feels like opening a sluice gate and just letting all the s**t and minutia in my head run out the gate and into the crops. I like your thought and your tone and imagery of how difficult it can sometimes be. Cool write!!!

[Richard🖌]

Hi, Ally Ann,

My name is Richard.
How wonderful it is to be reading your excellent writings.
I see you're fairly new here and would like to welcome you warmly and gratefully, and to thank you for selecting the Writer'sCafé and members to share writings with. : )
Your tone, feel, and personal discernments about writing are quite unique, but ohhh so relatable in so many ways. Throughout, your words dance many truths about writing and writers … we are a rare breed, indeed, and you have exemplified us and our craft succinctly, I feel.
"Beginner beware!" LOL!

Writing (to me) is freedom to emotionally and spiritually breathe, to dance and sing to and with our every song in each and every way possible, to express thoughts, feelings, ideas, physical and mental sensations, and to reveal one's deepest, hopes dreams, fantasies, and imaginings … truthfully, writing opens the portal to an infinite universe of impossible possibilities for those whose hearts, minds, and souls enter therein.

I have very much enjoyed my first reading of your work … you've made me think and feel deeply and concisely, Ally, and what is better than that?
Thank you for sharing You! ⁓ Richard : )

Drop by anytime and enjoy something on my pages, too … I'd like that very much.

[Ally Ann]

Hi Richard,

Thank you for your comment! My goal in writing is to connect with at least one other person. I love how writing can bring us together. I also feel that being a writer comes with its own unique problems that many of us can relate to. Your own definition of writing is exactly how many people feel and the depth of these feelings can create a lot of intense emotions, which is what inspired this poem. I am very glad that I made you feel something, what more can a writer want?

Thanks for stopping by and leaving such a nice comment!

[Richard🖌]

You've made sharing a lovely pleasure.
You are most welcome, Ally Ann.

[Onlyme]

Wow, my dear, this is dramatic, epic and harsh to say the least. But you really expressed your passion and point via your direct approach to this subject matter. You speak from the heart, mind and soul. And even your body aches from within. At express how you truly feel and write it all down. I do agree. Poetry is like that and writing well for me at least. I give my all. But without cutting myself or going to the point of killing myself on top. If I did that. I would not be here to be a pest. And express me and get it out. And also others would not see. They are far from alone. As we feel the same.

[Ally Ann]

It is hard for me to explain this concept outside of poetry, but I truly think non-writers will never really understand what it is like to be a writer. Writing for me is pouring out not only words, but a part of your soul as well. Being a writer is not being able to cope without getting my soul on the page, and that is truly hard and sometimes frustrating. I think these feeling led me to this poem. I have found though, that other writers are in the same boat and understand how it is to expose yourself to others in this way, and finding a community that is there for you is so useful.

[Onlyme]

I understand, to give your all. Like in love or a marriage. and my own stuff on here. I give evrrything of me. As do you too.

[Phill Oz O'fee]

Your definition certainly is striking, albeit cynical! The stanza flow and wordplay have added both strength and drama t the piece. I believe we all have our own methods of creativity when it comes to writing, but I must admit I take a less stressful approach then your slightly satirical outlook … great read though … :-)

[Ally Ann]

I know that this poem is rather cynical, but I find myself writing about intense or dark subjects often, and writing about these things can lead me to feel like being a writer has its low points. Finding a way to express these intense feelings can lead me to seeming somewhat dramatic or satirical in my writing, but I have a hard time explaining myself any other way. Thank you for your comments!