I want to be a writer

I love thinking. For decades, I’ve had this bad habit of brainstorming before bed. I’ll ask myself: “How to…” or “What if…” and then fill in the blank. Like “How can I make my website better?” or “How can I exercise every day?” If I can’t think of anything, I’ll just think “What should I do tomorrow?” And then I can’t fall asleep. This is a habit I’m trying to break.

Because I love thinking, I deeply admire people who are great thinkers.

Writing is thinking. Writing well means thinking well.

I’ve realized that my current role models aren’t million-follower influencers or superstars, but the writers I admire. While I’ve always defined myself as an “iOS indie developer” and envy talented indie developers, I envy writers even more. They spent enormous amounts of time thinking and crafting books, one after another, before AI even existed. Respect.

I believe modern writers also have smartphones, Youtube, and Netflix, but the fact that they can publish books shows that they had the discipline to choose the path that’s boring in the short term but more fulfilling in the long term.

If you admire Michael Jordan, you should play basketball. I admire Derek Sivers, so I want to be a writer.

Everyone has their own unique thoughts, background, and values. While my writing isn’t great, I believe I have my own insights to share. And with AI, I really have no excuse.

Kevin Kelly once said in his most famous article that as creators, we only need 1,000 true fans to live well. Forget 1,000 people—even if just 100 people, or even 10 people like my writing, I’d feel accomplished.

I’m fortunate that my current savings and investment philosophy allow me to not worry too much about money for now, so I can indulge in doing what I want.

I don’t even have to give up writing apps. I still love writing apps. Although I have a bunch of unfinished prototypes, I can totally be a writer who also writes apps. Every book paired with an app I built myself. That sounds pretty cool.

Maybe this will all fail. Maybe this is just another fleeting passion. I might very well be deep into some new Netflix series tomorrow. But at least right now, my desire to become a writer is strong. Coach Anzai… I want to write!

So how do you become a writer?

It’s not complicated at all. Write, share, and repeat. Just like what I just did.