On Being (And Becoming Again!) A Writer

You've heard all the quippy reasons, I'm sure. The glib, hyperbolic, hollow, or snarky answers that people give when they are asked why they write. Because I've got a story burning inside, they might say. Or because I might be good at it someday. Because I want to change the world. Because I can't not write. These things are all over the place. And as long as we're not really paying attention, those answers are fun. They're lofty. Or truthy. At least truthy enough to pass the audition. They can feel almost wise. Still, I don't think any of them are correct.

So begins award-winning SF author Ron Collins's introspective look into what it means to live a creative life and, specifically, what it might mean to be a writer. Written as he was striving to rediscover his creative footing, Collins addresses questions like:

• Why Do I Write?
• What Kind of Writer Are You?
• What is Voice?
• And, To Be or Not To Be Human?

These eight essays throw light onto the sometimes difficult and under-discussed aspects of creativity, including concerns over the creation of habits, what it means to have "fun" while writing vs. nurturing the creative mind, and the source of ideas—or better yet, what to do with ideas as they come about.

All discussed with a personal touch and a hint of vulnerability.

If you've ever found yourself struggling to find your creative self, this book is for you.