Last week, I found my third-grade diary.
Between complaints about unfair bedtimes and detailed reviews of school lunches, there were stories. Dozens of them. About magical cats, space adventures, and a particularly feisty pencil that came to life at night.
Twenty years later, I’m still writing stories. Only now, I get paid for them.
Here’s the thing about writers — we don’t choose writing. Writing chooses us. And if you’re reading this, wondering if you’ve been chosen too, here are the signs I’ve noticed in myself and every born writer I’ve met.
1. Your Brain Is a 24/7 Story Factory
You’re standing in line at the grocery store. The person in front of you has 17 cans of tomato soup and nothing else. Most people would be annoyed at the wait.
But you? You’re already crafting their backstory:
- Are they preparing for the apocalypse?
- Running an underground soup kitchen?
- Dealing with a very specific comfort food addiction?
If your mind automatically spins narratives out of everyday moments, congratulations — you’ve got a writer’s brain. We can’t help but see stories everywhere, like a superpower we never asked for but secretly love.
2. Words Feel Like Old Friends
Some people collect stamps. Others collect vintage wines. You? You collect words.
You remember exactly where you were when you first encountered “serendipity” or “ephemeral.” You get excited about finding the perfect word like others get excited about finding money in old jeans.
And don’t even get me started on your relationship with thesaurus.com. It’s not just a website — it’s your trusted confidant in the eternal quest for that just right word.
3. You’re a Professional People Watcher
Let’s be honest: you’re kind of a creep. But in the best possible way.
You notice:
- How the barista’s smile doesn’t quite reach her eyes
- The way that old man’s hands shake when he counts his change
- The teenager who always walks with one shoulder slightly higher than the other
These details aren’t just observations — they’re character sketches waiting to happen. You’re not nosy; you’re collecting material. At least, that’s what we tell ourselves.
4. Criticism Hurts (But Not Writing Hurts More)
Here’s a paradox every born writer knows: showing your writing to others feels like walking naked through a crowded mall, but NOT writing feels like trying to hold your breath indefinitely.
You might go days or weeks without writing, but eventually:
- Your fingers start twitching
- Your mind gets restless
- Ideas bubble up like a pot about to boil over
And when you finally sit down to write, it feels like coming home after a long trip.
5. You Live Multiple Lives in Your Head
While others are focused on their one life, you’re:
- Managing a dragon-training academy
- Solving murders in Victorian London
- Leading a revolution on Mars
- Writing your Oscar acceptance speech (just in case)
Your imagination isn’t just active — it’s hyperactive. And sometimes, your fictional worlds feel more real than reality. Normal people call this daydreaming. Writers call it research.
The Dark Side of Being Born to Write
But let’s get real for a moment. Being a born writer isn’t all romantic coffee shop sessions and brilliant midnight inspirations.
It also means:
- Losing sleep because a character won’t shut up
- Missing parts of conversations because you’re mentally editing them
- Having to explain why you’re googling “how long does it take a body to decompose in a swamp”
- Never being able to read a menu without finding typos
What to Do If You’ve Been “Chosen”
If you’re nodding along to these signs, welcome to the tribe. Here’s what to do next:
- Embrace Your Quirks
- Your observation addiction is a gift
- Your word hoarding is a skill
- Your daydreaming is professional development
2. Find Your People
- Join writing groups
- Connect with other writers online
- Share your weird googling habits with those who understand
3. Start Documenting
- Keep a journal of your observations
- Save those random story ideas
- Write down interesting conversations you overhear
The Truth About Being Born to Write
Being born to write doesn’t mean you’ll be an instant success. It doesn’t even mean you’ll be good at first. What it means is that writing isn’t just something you do — it’s part of who you are.
You might never win a Pulitzer or top the bestseller lists (though hey, never say never). But you’ll always be a writer because you can’t imagine being anything else.
So the next time someone asks why you write, just smile and say, “Because I was born this way.”
After all, some people are born with blue eyes. You were born with ink in your veins.
What’s your earliest memory of knowing you were meant to write?