Successful Writers

  • Believe in yourself and your capabilities, and you can accomplish anything.
  • Think of writing as you would any job. You must show up, be on time, produce, and enjoy what you are doing if you want to reap any rewards.
  • Keep a journal. Writers are natural note-takers and have files or notebooks filled with useful thoughts, bits of dialogue, cartoons, observations, newspaper clippings, setting details, photos, or doodles. Over the years these fragments become the building blocks for writing poems, stories, articles, or novels.
  • Brainstorm ideas daily; sometimes it even helps to think aloud. Your own mind is a rich storehouse of experiences, adventures, and insights.
    Read voraciously; not only works in your particular area but also other genre. Learn the trade from successful writers.
  • Write what you feel passionate about and can be relentlessly honest about; your knowledge on a subject can give your writing authority and credentials, but deep caring and conviction will give your writing life and meaning.
  • Allow enough time to pass between the act of writing and the act of editing, revising, and rewriting. In fact, it is best if writer and editor work in separate rooms.
  • Find the niche you want to write for and become the principal source of information on that topic. Let others seek you out for your expertise. This will generate public speaking engagements and book sales.
    Write anyway, regardless of how often you are asked, “So what’s your real job?”
  • Educate yourself. Writing is a business. There are many books on the subject, seminars or college courses, and professional associations where you can learn the how-to’s and network with those more experienced than you.
  • Be proud of what you have accomplished. No one cares about your books as you do. Your enthusiasm will show and help publicize and promote your book. There are opportunities out there, be prepared and go after them!
  • Stick with it. Writing is hard work and takes time. Too many new writers give up or drop out long before their time arrives.