The word "was" is correct and usable in written English. You use "was" when referring to an action (or state) that occurred in the past. Here is an example sentence: I was very excited to receive my package in the mail.
"It was not.
I thought it was going to be easy.
But it was not to be.
"How often, or on what system, the Thought Police plugged in on any individual wire was guesswork.
It was not to be.
Nor is it always the worse for the society that it was no part of it.
I was born in Shanghai in 1940.
When I feel like I can't trust my brain 100%, Ludwig really comes in handy. It makes me translate and proofread faster and my output more reliable.
Claudia Letizia
Head Translator and Proofreader @ organictranslations.eu