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3 Things You Must Do to be a Successful Writer
by Jennifer Minar
A friend of mine is a novelist who is in the midst of writing
a second novel while her agent
markets her first. I admire her. Not only did she write what,
in my opinion, is a brilliant mystery, she hasn't missed a beat
setting the second one in motion.
She's not a full-time writer...yet. In fact, she works a fifty-hour
work week, most weeks. And outside of work, she has responsibilities--probably
many of the same responsibilities as you.
But she finds a way to make the time. When the kids are tackling
their homework, or tucked away in bed, when she's commuting back
and forth, or taking the rare lunch break, she makes time to write.
She even wakes up an hour early on the weekdays to pound out a
few hundred words.
Do her writing habits remind you of yours? Even just a little?
If not, do you really want to become a published author? Successful
freelancer? Award-winning essayist? Then work toward it; become
more serious about your writing. And take the advice many writers
have imparted to newbies over the centuries, that there are three
ways of learning to write: Write. And write. And write.
Tips
to Remember:
Don't
Wait Until You 'Feel Like' Writing
Write even when you don't feel like it, because, most times you
won't. And don't wait for an epiphany. Gather all your notes and
sit in front of your PC and draft something. It doesn't have to
be any good at first. What's important is that you are going through
the motions. It's no secret that a lot of writers hate to write--at
least first drafts. But there wouldn't be any books, articles,
or essays if it weren't for first drafts, right?
The More You Write, the Easier It Gets
As with anything, writing takes practice. Feel proud when you
have more words on paper at the end of each day. After a while,
as the
process becomes second nature, the words will flow.
Schedule Writing Time
This is important! Write every day with few exceptions. And don't
wait until your schedule slows down because chances are, it won't.
There will always be a room to vacuum, a friend to meet, a movie
to catch, overtime to put in.
Schedule the time. And stay on schedule. Commit a portion of your
day to writing as you do other aspects of your life. Drag yourself
to the keyboard and just stare at your monitor if you have to;
half the battle is just getting there.
Schedule as little as half an hour a day. Believe me, the words
will add up.
Be Persistent
Ask a writer what it took for her to become a success. Chances
are, she'll say that persistence is what got her where she is.
Becoming a success at anything is about prioritizing those things
you deem important in your life and being persistent at achieving
them. Don't write only when you can get around to it, because
often you won't.
Develop a writing schedule that works for you and take it seriously.
Write even when it pains you to do it; later you'll be thankful!
And be persistent. You'll find yourself a more prolific writer
and a good deal closer to achieving your writing dreams.
