MY 6 RULES FOR NEW WRITERS

 

I've reached the point in my career where some people are actually asking ME the type of questions I remember asking others when I decided to become a professional writer back in 2010. I'm honored someone thinks I actually might know what I'm doing and take my role seriously whenever I voice my opinion. Here are some things to think about if you are considering putting the title "author" after your name some day...

UPDATE YOUR LIBRARY CARD

It will be overwhelming at first when you begin to realize just how much you DON'T know about writing. Forget about all those bits of poetry and prose collecting dust in a drawer somewhere. The day you seriously decide to become a professional at this, THAT is the time you need to start reading everything you can get your hands on about the actual craft of writing.

BUY A BOOKCASE OR TWO

You think I'm kidding? I have a small two shelf bookcase in my study, a five foot wide five shelf bookcase in my living room, and I STILL have two large piles of books by my chair waiting to find a place on said bookshelves. Some of them are reference books about the craft of writing, some are nonfiction books on research topics I like, many are books by other authors I admire, and then there are simply the books I am waiting to get the time to be able to read for pure enjoyment. All are important to me and feed my huge thirst for knowledge when it comes to the thing I love to do.

STOCK UP ON SUPPLIES

Raise your hand if you have a bunch of pens and pencils in a drawer somewhere...just so you don't run out of writing utensils if an idea comes to you? I have a picnic basket stuffed with those cool black & white Mead composition tablets and more mechanical pencils than I can shake a stick at. I usually start my stories on paper and then transfer to the computer but whatever way you give birth to your stories, make sure you have all the supplies you need to make it happen before that fleeting moment disappears.

PUNCH THE TIME CLOCK

Writers need to be organized. That's not to say MY way of organizing things would work for YOU, but at least have a plan. Commit to writing daily, whether it's at six o'clock in the morning or eleven at night. Small blocks of time...one sentence or paragraph at a time...still adds up to a completed project eventually. If writing is only a hobby, then enjoy it while you are able. But if writing is your passion, no matter how old you were when you discovered your calling...MAKE THE TIME TO MAKE IT HAPPEN!

RETHINK YOUR THINKING

Writing itself is a solitary occupation, but the writing industry is full of loving, supportive individuals who have been where you are at one point in their careers. I'm sure ALL of them remember what it feels like to doubt your own ability to put coherent words on paper sometimes. Don't think you have to travel this path to publication all by yourself. Reach out to critique groups to challenge your writing skills, join Facebook groups to find the creative support you need when you think you can't take another rejection, and chatter on Twitter with the thousands of people out there just like you...working toward a goal and trying to make a dream come true.

TAKE A BLIND LEAP

Probably one of the most important rules for a new writer is to believe in yourself. You might just be starting out, you might not have the technical side to this writing thing perfected yet, but if you wake up in the morning and realize you can't breathe if you can't write, then you WILL make it as a writer. Have faith and take a blind leap into the pool of writing words cuz the water is fine.

Welcome to the world of writing, my new friend, welcome!

I hope you learned something new today and be sure to check back tomorrow for the next post in my month long celebration!

You can preorder my book, THE STORY CATCHER, now through Amazon, www.amazon.com, or Barnes & Noble, www.barnesandnoble.com. It is available in both ebook and print copies. Here is the book blurb and book trailer.

 

 

 

 
Blurb:

 
   Addie comes from a long line of readers, or "story catchers," as her family likes to call themselves. Every time Addie tries to catch a story on her own, though, the words play tricks on her. Addie tries everything she can think of to corral those wiggly letters, but it will take a little faith to become the next STORY CATCHER.
 

Trailer :