Writer--It's Up to You!

 

This is a repeat post from 3 years ago. I'm repeating it after a fairly new writer asked me some questions about the writing world. There is no magic pill to swallow to make you a published writer. But there are a number of things you can do to help yourself move along on your writing journey. 

One of my favorite, old-time, movie stars seems to have been a wise woman. Her words in today's poster quote have her wry sense of humor but also tell us something important. 

So many times, I end my posts by saying that it is up to you, the writer, to accomplish whatever the topic had been. In life, we run across people who are always trying to get someone else to do what they probably could or should have been doing themselves. They're directors and usually good at it. As long as others agree to whatever was asked of them, the 'director' will keep right on. 

In our writing journey, that doesn't usually work. Yes, there are some writers who write the first draft, then cajole a friend or group to do all the editing and revising in a critique. It's fine, even recommended, that we have others critique our work, but it's best to ask to have your proofread, edited, and/or revised draft critiqued. Not the first effort. That is up to you.

It's up to you to acquire as much knowledge about the writing craft as you can. It's up to you to read about writing, to attend conferences to learn from speakers, and to learn from a one on one session with another writer. 

It's up to you to educate yourself about the submission process. Learn how to write a query or a cover letter as well as your short personal bio. In our techno world, this is not difficult. Use a search engine on any topic and you'll find myriad articles. 

It's up to you to write and rewrite and rewrite again until you have a piece that satisfies you. It takes time and effort, but the end result is almost always well worth it.

It's up to you to seek inspiration. Successful author, Jack London is often quoted on finding inspiration to write. He said, "You can't wait for inspiration. You have to go after it with a club." Note the 'you' word. It's you who must work at being inspired. Put yourself in a place where you can find it.

It's up to you to submit your work. Aunt Gracie isn't going to do it for you. Cousin Fred isn't about to send your work to an editor. It's your story, your job to find a place and submit.

It's up to you to promote yourself as a writer. The more readers you engage in several ways, the more readers you'll keep and new ones you'll acquire. Let them know who you are by being active on social media, having a webpage and a blog, speaking at conferences, book signings, and more. Wherever you can get your name and your work in front of others will benefit you.

What it all comes to is that you are the one responsible for every step of your writing journey. I have a feeling that Katherine Hepburn did become a household name by sitting demurely at home hoping a Hollywood mogul would discover her. She knew it was up to her to 'paddle her own canoe.'

Moving on Your Writing Journey

 Today's quote says 'I will take at least one step everyday towards achieving my dreams.' For writers, that dream may be writing a full length novel. Or having a poem published. Or being a columnist in a newspaper. Or writing enough good essays to create a book. Lofty dreams? Yes, but we all need to be working towards whatever our dreams on our writing journey happen to be.

The quote could well be one of the goals we all set at the beginning of this month as we faced a brand new year. A year full of possibilities and fulfilled dreams. That's thinking positive, of course, which is what I always recommend. Doing so will move you on your writing journey much faster than if you view your writing world as a Negative Nellie. 

The quote suggests taking one step at a time to reach your dreams. Too often, we are in a hurry. We have a destination in mind and we want to get there. Get there fast! It doesn't usually work that way. A baby has to crawl before she/he walks, must walk before running. What a wonderful world it would be if we could start our writing journey with a giant leap to stardom. That truly IS a dream

Instead, writers must start small and work their way along the writing path one step at a time. To do this, he/she should take at least one step each day. Write a full story or lengthy essay in one day? No. One step might mean doing a writing exercise, or writing a first draft for a short story or essay. Maybe the first six lines of a poem. It could be nothing more than writing Morning Pages, as was mentioned in yesterday's post. Or journaling. Write a letter! Write something every day. Each day is one step closer to achieving your dream.

Make no mistake. Being a writer is hard work. Success and achieving your goals doesn't just happen. 

When you start your writing journey, take small steps, then bigger ones as you gain experience and more knowledge of your craft. When you are published for the first time, it feels like a great leap instead of a step. With each succeeding publication, you move in larger steps. 

Remember my two keywords for our writing world. Patience and Perseverance. You need a large dose of each as you move step by step towards your dreams.

A Pep Talk for Writers

 

Our photo poster today highlights how our writing journey must take place. We don't decide to be a writer, then zoom from square one to success. If only we could! Maybe every third person would become a writer if it was that easy.

Anyone who has entered the writing world learns very quickly that the journey must be taken one step at a time. That we walk down the writing path putting one foot in front of another, meeting potholes along the way. Can you hop over those potholes and move on, or do you work at filling them in--correcting whatever was wrong? Skip over them, and you're bound to run into more and more. 

Patience is one of the keywords in my writing world. When we are a newbie writer, we want to soar like a jet plane. We want to leap the learning hurdles and get to the part where editors clamor for our work. Instead, we need to practice patience. 

We also should pursue as much knowledge about the craft of writing as possible. It's not a matter of learning this and that and then surging ahead. We have to keep on a continuous learning cycle. It's one reason I suggest attending writing conferences and workshops. You'll learn at each one. The information you receive might not help you that very day, but as time goes on, and you venture into different styles of writing, what you learned can be most helpful. 

Don't stop learning about the writing world. Ever! Even when you think you know it all, something new might come along. Be open to learning new methods. Don't be one of those people who say "I've always done it this way, and I'm not going to change now." At least, try the new way, and if it doesn't work for you, go back to what you did before. You could find that you are happy with the new method. 

One way newbie writers meet discouragement head-on is to submit to the top magazines or publishers immediately. There's the slimmest chance they'll be accepted. More likely is the rejection coming back in a flash. When you feel ready to submit your work, start with smaller publications. Build a portfolio of acceptances with them, and move on to the bigger ones later. 

Patience. It's a virtue that all writers should develop. 

Don't wait for the elevator that will zoom you to the penthouse of success. Take the stairs as you become a stronger writer. Keep moving up a little at a time without losing sight of your goals.