The Secret to becoming a Samurai Writer

The Samurai were the Japanese warriors of medieval Japan and symbols of honor, courage, and discipline. The Bushido Code of the Eight Virtues of the Samurai were Justice, Courage, Mercy, Politeness, Honesty and Sincerity, Honour, Loyalty, Character and Self- Control.

The only Samurai that I was initially familiar with were the ones in stories and in movies. I have always been fascinated with the history of Japan. This article is an opportunity for me to use the idea of the Samurai to encourage more writers to take up the craft.

Miyamoto Musashi, was a famous swordsman, author of “The Book of Five Rings” and “The Path of Aloneness”, who lived during the 16th century.

In order to write like a Samurai Writer here are a few points to keep in mind:

• Do justice to the topic which you are writing about. Get all the facts and make a great presentation, while making it interesting for your reader.

• If you write fiction or non-fiction, handle your story or your topics courageously so that readers can easily identify your fierce writing style.

• Always be merciful when reading the writings of other writers. Other writers may not be as good as you so do not be harsh with your criticism. Remember that there was a time when you were a young writer just learning your craft or a beginner who still needed to acquire his own style.

• It is good to be polite when addressing your readers, your success depends on them. Be polite to other authors, as you can also learn from them. Everyone has a different perspective on the world. You may one day meet your Mentor or be requested to mentor someone. Your skills in the field of writing must be honed and practiced constantly. Never rest on your laurels and the glories of your past successes.

• Make an effort to always honestly portray your characters in your stories and in the articles, you write about people in the real world. Characters in fiction are under your control, you can make beggars rise to Kings and you can make Emperors transform into tramps. But, people in the real world, will get seriously affected if you write articles that are not true about their lives.

• In all your writing be true to who you are as a person. Never write about a subject you do not believe in yourself. In order for a reader to enjoy your writing, you need to be interested in your topic. Always do research and make your stories and articles great reading material. As an honorable writer, it is up to you to do justice to your topics.

• Your loyalty to your ideals, principles, and way of living may sometimes be tested as a writer. You may be forced to choose between what you would like to write and what your public would like to read. It is not easy, but there are times when you have to make a choice, between what is right to write about and what is wrong to feature in your writings. Allow your intuition and principles as a writer to guide you.

• You need to develop the character of a writer. A person who loves to write at any chance you get. A person who keeps learning more about the writing craft in order to excel at it. A writer who wants to make a positive difference in the world.

• Learn to have more self-control as a writer and to give yourself more time to write during your day. There are so many writers, who procrastinate every day and do not practice the art of writing. There are so many mediocre writers, who have the potential to become the “Samurai Writer” hidden within them.

Make a choice today to live, eat, breathe, write every day, and produce sharp, powerful words, with the skill and penmanship of a Samurai Writer.