Photo by Hannah Olinger on Unsplash
So, you want to be a writer.
Maybe you’ve wanted to for a while, but every time you sit down to write, something gets in the way. Doubt creeps in. Perfectionism shows up. Or maybe you just feel overwhelmed by where to start.
You’re not alone. And here’s the truth: becoming a writer isn’t just about writing more. It’s about becoming the kind of person who writes. That means shifting your identity and your perception of yourself, and letting that new version of you lead the way.
We usually think we need to do a thing (write a lot) to become the thing (a writer). But what if it works better the other way around?
What if you started thinking and acting like a writer now, even if you're still figuring it out?
When you identify as a writer, even before the evidence stacks up, you begin to make decisions from a place filled with purpose, focus, and self-trust.
Start with Small, Aligned Actions
You don’t have to write a novel this month. You don’t even have to write a full page today.
Instead, take small, aligned actions, which are things the "writer version" of you would do:
Jot down an idea in your notes app
Write the outline for your book
Define one character of your story
Block out 15 minutes to write freestyle
Read one article on storytelling techniques
Tell a friend about the piece you're working on
Each tiny step is like casting a vote for your new identity. And with every vote, you reinforce the belief: “I am a writer.”
The Ripple Effect: Self-Fulfilling Prophecy in Action
When you take even the smallest action, your brain begins to shift. You start to gather evidence that you are the person you're becoming.
This creates a self-fulfilling prophecy. You act like a writer. So, you feel like a writer. Then you act more like a writer. It’s a powerful loop, and it starts with one small step.
Think Compound Effect, Not Overnight Success
Ever heard of compound interest? It’s the idea that small investments grow exponentially over time.
Writing works the same way.
You write a sentence. Then a paragraph. Then a page. At first, it feels like nothing. But over weeks or months, those little efforts add up. One day, you look back and realize: you’ve become the writer you used to dream of being.
And you didn’t need to hustle or suffer or change your entire life. You just needed to show up consistently, not perfectly.
Who Are You Becoming?
Photo by Glenn Carstens-Peters on Unsplash
Every time you sit down to write (even for five minutes), you’re not just creating a piece of work. You’re creating yourself.
You’re becoming a writer.
So next time you’re stuck, don’t ask, “What should I do?”
Ask: “What would the writer version of me do?”
Then, just do it.
