The Author Neil Gaiman summed up the writing process perfectly when he said: “This is how you do it: you sit down at the keyboard and you put one word after another until its done. It’s that easy, and that hard.”
In truth if you think strongly enough about it, you can write about anything, and when I say you, I actually mean you. Your passion for the subject matter will drive you on and you’ll feel entirely unburdened when you type that final word. Then you’ll want to do it again, and again.
And if you are anything like me, and if you are reading this article, you probably are, then the greatest passion in your life is Celtic. If you are still reading this by now, then I feel certain that not only are you a passionate supporter of Celtic, you have previously or are currently thinking you too could write about it.
I started writing for The Celtic Star around three years ago now. I had made my mind up to start writing about Celtic some time previously however at that stage none of the sites really floated my boat, but it was an itch I couldn’t scratch.
When I came across The Celtic Star it seemed a good fit. It appeared to have no agenda, was independent and seemed to have articles written by people who cared about the club, wanted to challenge it, wished to celebrate it and tried to defend it. But really it just felt right. So, I submitted that first article, little thinking that three years later I’d still be doing it, people would actually read what I wrote and not only that it would open up discussions and debate, both on the site and across social media.
Since then, I’ve written hundreds of articles and covered a host of subjects. From previews and match reports to opposition analysis, women’s football, the politics surrounding the club and the rich history of Celtic. I’ve tried to challenge those who would seek to do us harm and try and constructively criticise those within the club who I feel could serve us better. Most of the time however I just put my own opinions out there rather than bore my wife and family with them.
So, if any of that floats your boat, if you have strong opinions on anything to do with Celtic then why not give it a try? If your thing is tactics, if it’s analytics, if it is scouting footballers or writing about the incredible history of the club you love then why not give it a go?
The Celtic Star has articles written by the likes of David Potter one of Celtic’s greatest historians , as well as the wonderfully gifted storyteller and of course the new kid on the block in Liam Kelly. But don’t let that intimidate you, instead let it inspire you and give it a go yourself. If I can do it, and somehow get away with it for three years, there is no reason why you couldn’t either, no reason at all. And I’ve got to know a rally great bunch of Celts, all now close friends.
The Celtic Star’s with Odsonne Edouard and Olivier Ntcham after 2019 Scottish Cup Final win over Hearts
And just in case you are nervous or question your skill set, don’t worry about that, just write it and the Editor will work his magic. He’ll pick up on any mistakes, he’ll encourage you and he’ll turn your work into the wonderful articles you see on the site, full of the colour and the imagery that will bring your words to life. It really is that simple.
The Celtic Star is always looking for fresh ideas and new voices and you could be just that. If you have reached the end of this article,then ask yourself why? Is it because you have felt tempted to try for yourself? If you have got this far the chances are I’m right, and as the opinionated one on the Celtic Star I often am.
David Potter with the Green Brigade, 2019 Scottish Cup Final
You can do this as I do around your job, so no excuses there. You can use it as an escape from the rest of a world that is far less interesting than Celtic, and you needn’t worry about things like deadlines. As Douglas Adams said “I love deadlines. I love the whooshing noise they make as they go by.”
You can do this at your own pace, in your own time and on whatever subject you like – as long as it’s Celtic! But then that’s the subject you really want to write about isn’t it, otherwise why have you just read 755 words on the subject?
I think it’s probably time you had a go. Drop your article or idea to editor@thecelticstar.co.uk and let him do the rest, or just send in an email asking for more details. He’s actually pretty good at all this, but don’t tell him I said so. Big ego you know?
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