If you want to be a writer, then you must write - you must write something every day.

If possible, have an established time to write every day. Budget your time to make that period available even if it is only a few minutes. You will be surprised how much you can write in a short period of time. This writing should have a dual purpose: first, to improve your writing skills, and, second, to record your ideas.

As well, a special writing place is also helpful. It should preferably be a spot where you are free from the distractions of daily living-a corner of a bedroom, living room, or even kitchen, but it should be your writing site. Of course, an office of your own would be a preferred location. It is surprising how the mind can develop creatively if given the chance.

To write every day requires a plan; it requires a time; it requires a location; it requires a focus; and it requires a reason. The first two have already been dealt with, so what is a focus plan? A focus plan is a decision of what kind of writing one will do: fiction, non-fiction, poetry, essays, articles, short stories, etc. Here, the writer has to find his/her voice. Do not spend the writing time thinking about it; the important thing is to write and the voice will come.

Of course, a focus requires a reason for writing. Is it for personal satisfaction and enjoyment only? On the other hand, is it for public consumption and financial augmentation? Perhaps both. Usually, though, one writes to share one's thoughts and ideas with readers.

What about ideas and topics? Without them, a writer is lost. In writing every day, the goal is to express whatever comes to mind-a memory, a gripe, a desire, a feeling, an incident, or grammatical exercise. It really does not matter; the important activity is the writing. Once started the words usually flow.

So, write something every day.

Charles O. Goulet has a BA in English literature. He has published several novels that are available through Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, and many other online bookstores.

His website is: http://www.telusplanet.net/public/go1c