It may not seem a logical leap but there are so many reasons you're way ahead of most other people who want to start a writing career. If you have a story in your head that just won't leave, it might be time to get it down on paper and throw it out into the world. Here are some reasons why teachers are inherently good at this!
You already know how to write
Ok, you've probably embarrassed yourself on more than one occasion when you said 'their' instead of 'they're' in an email to your principal. But on balance, you're a better writer than the average social media manager. In a field as isolated as ours, collaboration primarily occurs asynchronously and through email or a Google Doc. When starting a new hobby, it helps to have a little background knowledge to give you just enough confidence to keep going in those early stages when the lack of basic skill can get frustrating. Teachers have a fundamental grasp of the English language so all you'll need to do is fine-tune your word craft...not learn it from scratch.
You're excellent storytellers
Ok, if your first period is Algebra, you probably tap into this skill less often than, say, a history teacher. BUT storytelling is at the heart of the job. Humans understand the world through story and this is how we help our students learn. Whether it's sharing real world examples or asking kids to share their own experiences, these stories help deepen our understanding of all concepts taught. Even math has word problems to accomplish this. And let's be honest. We have no shortage of insane 'you won't believe what this kid did' stories to use as fodder for our novels!
You know how to find resources
No matter what grade level you teach, you have to do your research. Even if you have a prescribed curriculum, you've figured out by now it never resonates with all your kids the same way. Finding resources to differentiate learning, identify and support special needs, or make learning more exciting for everyone is a skill you've developed out of necessity. Given the isolated nature of the job, it may have even become necessary for you to find your tribe or get personal support online if you can't find it in your school.
Identifying a problem and finding creative ways to solve it is also vital to success in writing. If you haven't had much experience with fiction, learning the basics of storytelling is a key first step. As your writing becomes more refined, you may find yourself exploring examples from authors you wish to emulate. Although it's important to develop your own voice, it also helps to learn from the experience of others. Like teachers, writers are also great at finding each other, especially on Twitter. There are quite a few Facebook groups as well.
You know it's about the At Bat's
Rarely do things in the classroom go the way we've played them out in our heads. As a student teacher I had five periods of the same course. Although tedious, it gave me the opportunity to perfect the lesson. By the time the last period rolled around, it went off without a hitch. It takes practice to get things right. This is as true in writing as it is in teaching and it may be your single greatest advantage over other writers.
Far too often I've seen authors agonize over every word only to torture themselves when their first book is never picked up. The best writers know what teachers universally understand. You have to keep going until you get it right. Many writers consider their works their babies and any rejection can be fatal. Please. Most teachers can't get through an hour without someone insulting their efforts or belittling their intentions. Even if the critique of your work is valid, you have yet another ace up your sleeve. With time, persistence, and the right resources you know humans can learn anything. And this applies to your efforts at writing. You'd be surprised how rare this insight is for much of humanity.
You have the ideal schedule
Bet it's the first time you've heard this. The academic calendar for teachers can be a blessing and a curse in many ways, but as a writer, it's ideal. Let's take writing a novel as an example. Summers are a great time to disconnect from the field and pursue other interests. This is an ideal time to start considering ideas and begin outlining a story structure. Of course, everyone's writing process is different, but writing a novel in a year could look something like this:
Summer
Outline and rough draft of novel
Fall
Edit first half
(maybe 20 minutes each day after school in the isolation of your classroom before heading home)
Winter Break
New resources about writing techniques you might incorporate
Spring
Edit second half and start giving draft to beta readers
Summer
Start pitching to agents or self-publish AND get started on book #2!
You may be coaching, moonlighting, or parenting and that could very well be an obstacle to a schedule like this, so make it work for you! Everyone's different so be sure to experiment and find the right flow. If something in you wants to get that story down, you'll find a way!
Where do I start?
The resources for learning how to become a fiction writer are endless but the Teachers Who Write page gives you just a little taste so you can better figure out your path. Pay attention to the sites, blogs, and other resources offered that resonate most with you and grow your toolbox from there. There's no right or wrong way to do this! If nothing else, leading a more creative life will make you an even better, more sympathetic, and patient teacher!
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