Did you know that amateur means lover in French?

As in one who loves doing something very much. Un grand amateur de la bière, describes me, a big beer lover. Lol (I really am a horrible craft beer snob.)

When we took the word into English, it slowly lost its association with doing something out of love. It’s taken on more of an association of being non-professional.

But remembering the original meaning can possibly help remind us how important it is to do things because we love doing them.

When I have a really hot story idea, usually fiction, I can find myself compelled to sit down and start creating no matter what. Nothing can interrupt me when I’m like that, not hunger, not thirst, not a hot date.

Because writing fiction is maybe the BEST thing in the whole world.

That’s the true amateur feeling. And you just have to have it sometimes, or maybe find something else to do where you CAN have it.