Ever since I was young, I’ve been told that I have a way with words. I’ve always just had a talent with being able to clearly communicate my thoughts through a swift swoosh of a pen or while pounding on keys hours into the night. There’s a certain clarity that writing brings me that helps give the words I put on paper actual meaning. True writing is not something that can be taught or mastered; it is something that possesses you to explain your thoughts while feeding passion within your soul. Writers are undeniably wired differently than most, and here are six obvious signs that you are a writer.
1. You can express your thoughts better on paper more than you’re ever able to do aloud.
No matter what you have on your mind, you’d simply rather write it than say it. Whether you’re with a handful of your closest friends or if you’re in a group of people you just met, you secretly just wish you could jot your thoughts down instead of say them. Your thoughts move too quickly to process and state smoothly in daily conversation, but if you had the option to type them out, they would indisputably be organized and full of absolute clarity.
2. You see every experience you face as an opportunity to include in your writing.
Any awkward encounter, painful time period, or life-changing realization presents itself as another piece to write. Everything is fair game, and nothing is off limits. Whether you get your hand stuck in a vending machine or you have just come out of a long battle with depression, eventually you feel the need to write about it.
3. You think of writing as being therapeutic.
Everyone needs an escape that lets them sink away from the setbacks, harsh disappointments, and overall stress of everyday life. For you, this is writing. Writing is the best possible form of therapy you can have. Whenever overwhelming feelings of anxiety, anger, or depression show their ugly face, your best release is the piece of paper next to you. Writing helps you organize and sort out your thoughts, fears, stress, and emotions. You are able to jot down absolutely anything, and the paper absorbs every thought you put down with no judgment. Although oftentimes you are given the advice to just “forget about it” or “let it go,” that is just not in your nature. Your writing helps you realize things about yourself you didn’t realize along with things you may not always want to admit. It is a chance to let you ground yourself once again and emerge with a clearer mindset. There’s absolutely nothing that compares.
4. You always believe you can do better.
Although you are always proud of the work you produce, you are always finding things that can be improved in your first draft. Whenever you read a very well-written piece by someone, a feeling spurs deep in your stomach that pushes you to write as well as they did. Writing, editing, and rewriting some more is a cycle that will continue with each and every word you write. You are a perfectionist, pushing yourself to make your words and voice always shine through.
5. Once you’re in the zone, you cannot be stopped.
Let’s face it - there’s no bigger procrastinator than a writer. Although it may be hard to chose a spot to start your thoughts, a magnificent idea eventually comes to you and lets you run with it. Passion and excitement fill your eyes, and there is absolutely no stopping you now. You physically cannot stop furiously scribbling or pounding the keys until you spill out every word you need to say. Writer’s block may prove to stand in your way at first, but soon after you start, you will find yourself pages deep into a piece when you planned on only writing half a page.
6. You feel the need to explain everything.
Thinking and over-analyzing everything is just how you are wired. You naturally question everything in your surroundings and every part of who you truly are. Questions about the meaning of life keep you up late into the night, and you try endlessly to embrace this intuitive nature you have. While others may settle for not knowing all of the answers, you desire to describe things perfectly and give answers to the questions that pop into your mind. Your thoughts are what propel you to write, and thinking ideas through to thoroughly explain them is what brings you peace of mind.
