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What Do You Have to Do to Be a Writer?

Since I have been vending my books at the local artisan market I hear this question almost every week. Here are some of the comments I hear.

“I have an idea for a book, but I’m not sure it’s good enough.”

“I started to write a children’s book, but I don’t know where to go from here.”

“I would like to be a writer, but where do I start?”

“What if I spend all that time, but fail at being a writer?”

“I have written a whole series, but no one would want to read it.”

“You don’t make any money being a writer.”

All of these comments and questions have something in common. They are all based in fear. You might be afraid of judgment, or failure, but that fear is holding you back from your dream, your passion, and a great form of expression and escape.

So, the answer to the question what do you have to do to be a writer is you have to be fearless and you have to start writing. Stop worrying about the haters and the possible negatives and start switching your thoughts. Instead of saying, “What if I fail?” switch it to, “What if I succeed?” Instead of saying, “No one will read this.” Switch it to, “Maybe this could help someone.”

Don’t overthink it. I have a friend who has been telling me for three years that he was going to write a book. Today he told me he had three notebooks with notes and outlines. It’s a great idea to have a plan, but at some point, you have to end the preparation and implement the plan. You have to write.

Do you want to be a writer? Sit down and write then keep doing it until it becomes a habit and eventually you will realize that to be a successful writer you now have to add consistency and hard work, so what are you waiting for? Go write. The world might need your words.

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What Happened When I Didn’t Use an Outline for My Book. How not having a plan can work sometimes.

One of the writing rules I hear often is a writer should have a plan before writing. This is a great idea because if the writer knows what comes next everything may flow better. I have found though that breaking a writing rule here and there can be magical. Let me explain by telling you about the book I am writing.

I want to continue to write different types of books and step out of my comfort zone so I can grow as a writer. I decided to write a middle grade reader, and I wanted it to be slightly biographical because my middle school years were rough. I wanted to use my experiences to talk about struggling with fitting in and finding an identity. I had a general idea of what I wanted to do in the book, but I had not written an outline or a plan. I had no idea that the book would write itself and I continue to be amazed at the paths it is taking me down.

The story takes place in the town where I grew up. Until I started writing this story I didn’t think about all the complexities within this small town. I knew I wanted to talk about the social division and what it is like for a young girl to be in a private school setting when her social status is drastically different from the other students, but suddenly I was writing about the spiritual importance because of the link with the Indian tribe that was present there.

The main character loves going to the local library that looks more like a stone castle than a library. She finds an escape in reading just as I did, and she learns more about herself through the kind librarian and what lives in the creepy basement.

There are some days that I wish I had a clear plan because nothing is coming to my mind, but there are other days when hours go by as new ideas consume me. This book is taking me longer than normal, but the twists and turns of the journey are fascinating.

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Dealing with Challenges as a Writer

Challenges come in many forms, they can be financial, mental, or involve support. My two biggest challenges are mental and support based. I never think what I have written is good enough, so I often become stuck in the middle of a piece while I ask myself, “What’s the point in spending all this time if no one will like it?” What you must realize though is how powerful words are and the words you are writing might be what someone needs. What if you change everything for someone because of what you have written? You never know if you do not try. I remember when I was teaching, I had a student who always worked so hard. The class turned in a weekly journal, and once I wrote how proud I was of her and how much I admired her work ethic. I did not think anything else about it until the day the girl graduated and she came to find me after the ceremony. She said, “I wanted to tell you how much those words meant to me. I was struggling and you made me feel special.” So, you never know if your writing will stink or make a difference, but you should do it anyway.

A lack of support from family is a challenge for me. No one in my family enjoys any of my passions. I have always loved to run, but the rest of my family says the only time they will run is if something is chasing them. While I have a library in my bedroom and a stack of books I am currently reading, no one in my family is a reader. I read to my children when they were little and gifted them books until my oldest told me she didn’t want any more books. I know they have to find their own passions, but I would love to be able to talk to them about my writing without seeing their eyes glaze over. I am blessed that I have found support with several friends who are always there for me as well as the support I receive from my publisher and the writing groups I have joined.

My financial status can be a challenge since I do not yet make a windfall with my writing. My expenses include paying for the illustrator for each children’s book, paying for each market when I vend my books, and paying to have personal copies of my books printed. I know that I will find a way to make my writing more profitable eventually, but it can be frustrating when I want to start a new project, but I cannot afford to see it through.

See failure as a chance to grow, not a reason to stop. Failure is never much fun, but most of the time it is a great teacher. Instead of being frustrated because you were not successful the first time, regroup and use the failure to be better.

Keep a sense of humor. This is important in anything you do. When you start to feel like everything is going wrong, you have a choice to have a pity party or see the humorous side of your situation and start to figure out plan B. Plan B is more productive. Laughter can make most things seem better. One of my rejection letters from an editor started very sweetly, telling me she had enjoyed my article, and there were some great aspects to it, but then something snapped, and she started to rant about how I needed to experience the school of hard knocks before I found success, success wasn’t just handed to everybody, and it continued from there. I imagined an overworked editor who was trying to be encouraging to a writer, and then she snapped and needed to vent. I used that e-mail to not take rejections too seriously.

  Don’t take rejections personally. As a writer, you will receive countless rejections, and sometimes they sting. You will have rejections that offer constructive criticism and others that are not kind. Remember that the rejection is one person’s opinion.

  Know your worth. Your writing could change someone’s life. Remember that when others do not support your writing or try to quiet your voice. You do not have to write for free unless you want to, and you should not hesitate to ask a fair price for your work.

 Regroup-reflect-reset. Every writer has moments when she feels like what she is doing is not working or that your writing needs a refresh. Instead of feeling frustrated, take some time to reconsider your approach and brainstorm some different ideas. Doing something different can boost your motivation.

 Try is a failure verb. The editor for my first book gave me pure wisdom when he told me to stop using the verb try. He said, “Jen, try is a failure verb. It is weak. Use strong verbs.

 Seclude yourself from time to time. We all occasionally find ourselves pulled in a million different directions. Everyone wants our time and energy, so we often need to claim our private time and to do that you might have to go somewhere like a library or a coffee house to hide. Let someone know you will return soon.

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The Basics of Marketing Your Writing

You can write great material, but if no one knows about it, you cannot move forward. You want to do your best to be noticed. Put your writing in as many places as possible. If you are writing books, go to book signings, vend at craft markets, do readings at the library, and ask your local media to advertise your books. Create a blog and build a following and create videos about your writing. Keep putting yourself in front of people.

 Learn to use an e-mail list. The more people you can tell about your writing, the better. If you use Word Press it will generate a subscriber list. I also write online with Medium which also gives me a subscriber e-mail list. Have a book giveaway where people can enter with their e-mail. Take business cards from new contacts and add their e-mails to your list.

 Know the power of connections and contacts. You never know when you are going to meet someone who can help promote your writing. I met a cross-country coach who considered buying a copy of my book The Healing Power of Running for each of his runners. You need to put yourself out there to make these connections and contacts. Go to bookstores for meet and greets, vend at craft shows, go to writers’ conventions and retreats, and send out regular newsletters.

Hand out business cards, bookmarks, and anything else with your contact information. Give potential readers a way to find you again.

 Include a link to your website whenever you can. You want your readers to return to the source so they will see more of your writing and hopefully purchase some of your work. Add your link whenever you can.

Making videos I do at least one video about my books or writing in general every week because I want to put myself and my books in front of my audience as often as possible.  The videos that have done the best are the ones when everything went wrong, so do not worry about your video being perfect. During one video, I was out on the porch when a jet passed by low and loudly, then after that the hummingbirds were not happy that I was near there feeder, so they started dive bombing me. I laughed and kept going. People like to see you being human.

Newsletters. You want to take every chance you can to show people your work, and newsletters are a fantastic way to do it. Use beautiful colors and images and talk about what is new with your writing and what your readers can expect. Include links to books or writing platforms. I use Canva to make newsletters and my blog has a feature to send it to my subscribers.

Have a pitch. There is a vendor at our local craft market who writes and illustrates comics. I have never seen anyone with such a vivid imagination, but last week I also realized he is a genius at marketing his work. He told me he watches the eyes of people passing by his booth. If he sees interest he begins his pitch. He introduces himself and describes what he does. I watched him all morning and every time he used his pitch, he drew people in to look closer at what he was doing and almost every person purchased something. He was able to convince people to approach him by making it less awkward. Your pitch could also be a description of your book. A woman picked up my romance and asked me what it was about. I froze and could not think of a way to sum up the book, but I guarantee that will not happen again!  

Tell your story. People want to know the story behind what you have written, or why you wrote it. Last weekend, a woman picked up my book, Help for The Hard Days, and I told her I wrote it for my friend who was struggling with mental health. She bought it and told me she wanted to help her friend who was also struggling.

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How to Edit and Revise Your Writing

Edit and edit again. You might think that editing your writing once or twice will be enough, but you would be surprised by how many errors you will find when you look again. Use an editing tool like Grammarly or Word, but realize neither program is perfect, ask a friend to review it, and consider having a professional editor review it before sending it out.

Avoid repetition. This is a constant challenge for me. Go through your work and make sure you have not said the same thing numerous times. Have a variety of words instead of overusing the same ones. Make it a challenge to find diverse ways to say things.

Good grammar matters. There are some rules that can be broken, but good grammar is important. Have a grammar guide close by that you can consult and use the grammar guide that Grammarly or Word provides.

Cut out the extra words. We all use extra words that we need to cut out because the sentence can stand without them, or we have used them too much throughout our piece. Mine are that, just, sometimes, own, and really. What words could you eliminate?

Read everything aloud. I can edit my work repeatedly, but I always find more errors when I read my writing aloud. I can also hear if it flows well when I read it.

Delete passive words. Have your subjects do the actions instead of the actions being done to the subject. Tanner decided to make dinner for Kate is an active sentence. The dinner was made by Tanner is a passive sentence. Passive words are words that make writing less direct or less engaging. Examples of passive words are perhaps, I think, could, and might.

Make it look good. Presentation is huge. You can pull in a reader if you have an attractive piece of work. Use color and some of the many software tools that can help you make it look great, like Canva.

Use strong verbs vs. weak ones. An example would be The music was loud. (weak) vs. The music pounded in my ears. Here are some examples of weak and strong verbs.

Instead of saying walk, use stride, march, stomp, or shuffle.

Instead of the word say, use shout, whisper, or declare.

Instead of look, try stare or gaze.

Instead of go, use hurry, rush, or wander.

Instead of make, use create, build, or construct .

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Developing a Writing Process

Know your audience. My daughter-in-law is a successful artist, but her art is targeted at a specific audience. I once suggested she come to sell her art at the local artisan market where I sell my books. She said, “I know who my audience is, and I also know who would not appreciate my art.” If you are writing for a certain audience, gear your writing to them.

 I do not mean you must stick to one niche. I write about a variety of topics, and I want to challenge myself by writing in different forms, but if I am writing a picture book for children 4-8, I am going to write it in a way that is attractive to them.

 Learn how to make it flow. When you are reading your favorite books, pay attention to the flow, the way the words make the scene move. You do not want your writing to be choppy. One way to notice if your writing is moving smoothly is to read it aloud or have someone else read it aloud. Play with different sentence structures and see what works best.

 Offer a new perspective. I love reading writing that makes me see a unique perspective. I want to be able to think about opinions from all sides, and when someone offers me a different window on a thought or event, I enjoy that moment of enlightenment.

 Be transparent. Readers want to be able to relate to someone who is like them. Show your flaws and how you are trying to improve them. Talk to your readers about topics that matter to them or create a world of fiction where they can escape their struggles.

 Stay focused and finish. I can only speak for myself, but I often become distracted while writing. People call, text, walk into my office, and ask for my attention, and I can lose focus because I look out the window and start watching the neighbor’s dog. Most of the time, I lose my focus because I always have several projects going on at the same time.

 Put in the work. You cannot complain about a lack of success if you are not putting time and effort into your craft. Make writing a priority, find a suitable time and place, and sit down and do it.

 Let your writing sit. After you have finished writing, walk away from it before you send it for publication. Often, you will decide to add or delete something when you look at it again.

 Check your facts. Make sure your research is correct before you publish something. Check your facts with more than one resource. You should be a trusted source of information for your readers.

 Take out hatefulness. We all feel bitter and angry at some point, but your pen is powerful. Decide if you want to use it as a weapon to hurt or a way to heal. I know when I write something full of hate, I do not feel good about it afterward.

Craft catchy titles. Your title is your first chance to pull the reader in to read your work. Create titles that make people want to investigate what you want to say.

 Keep it simple. The best messages are the most basic ones. Be honest and real, and just tell your story.

 Ask for feedback. Hearing critiques of your work can be difficult, but the feedback can help you grow. When you can brainstorm with someone by listening to what he thinks of your work, you can collaborate with him to improve your writing. If you have a writing friend, ask him for an honest opinion.

 Do not force your writing. I often hear the advice to write every day. A better idea is to write consistently. If you force yourself to write, what you produce might not be of the same quality as what you can produce when you feel more creative.

 Be authentic. Do not try to be someone you are not. Your readers want to know you are genuine.

 Do not let the thought “What if this stinks” keep you from finishing. When a writer spends time and effort on crafting a book or article, negative thoughts can creep into your brain. You might ask if the quality of your writing is worth your effort, but you will not know until you do it.

 Write the bones down. Many writers have trouble starting because they feel overwhelmed. Instead of worrying about having a perfect product, write down all your thoughts and then start to make sense of them and create the form you want.

 Build trust. Once your readers know who you are and that they can trust you, you will find greater success, When I vend at the local market, people want to talk to me before they buy my books. A man who was considering carrying my books in his store told me he insists on meeting an author first to make sure the author is genuine. You build trust by being truthful, delivering an honest, helpful product, and being transparent.

 Do not worry about pleasing everyone. Taylor Swift had a beautiful reaction to a question about her album. The interviewer asked her how she felt about the negative comments about her album. She responded that she was not the art police and any art was subject to interpretation, and everyone had the right to that interpretation. I heard something similar while vending at the craft market. A young lady named Lindsey makes beautiful jewelry. Several customers asked her if she ever made any silver jewelry. Her response was that she was a gold girl and since gold made her happy, that was what she was going to make. If you are happy with what you have created, you are winning.

 Have a formula for articles. I write on a platform called Medium where I have a chance to interact with other others and learn from them. One author had a great formula for writing good articles. Here it is.

  • Identify a problem.
  • Make the problem felt. (Why is it important to solve it?)
  • How have others tried to fix it?
  • Give your solution.
  • Give a takeaway. What is an action step the reader can do?

 Engage with readers. The more you can interact with readers, the more you will understand what they enjoy about your writing, and they will feel more like a part of your adventure.

 Write a great query. Before you can craft a catchy title and use your first sentence to grab the attention of your readers, you must catch the attention of a publisher with your query.

         Your query should be around a page, and within that page, you need to describe your writing as well as provide any information a publisher might need. Convince the publisher why your work should be accepted. How is it unique? What qualifications do you have?

Here are the guidelines for formatting a query.

  • Use a normal font and typeface, such as Courier and 10- or 12-point type.
  • Include your name, address, phone number, e-mail address, and website.
  • Use one-inch margin.
  • Address a specific editor or agent.

 Remember to say thank you. Thank your customers and thank everyone who has helped you on your journey. That includes the people you ask to do reviews, your cheerleaders, your editors and publishers, local media who help spread the word about your work, and those who share the wisdom you need.

    The three people I thank the most are my friend Kim, my friend Donna, and my publisher Victor. When I first began writing full-time, I did not believe in my ability or my identity as a writer, but Kim did. She taught me to only listen to critique that makes me better. Victor, my publisher, has made my writing adventure possible. He advises me if he does not think a book idea is feasible, and he guides me through new projects. My friend Donna is ready to help me with anything I need, and she encourages me constantly.

Break some rules. You can break a few rules. Do not let the rules constrict your writing. You need to use good grammar, but the way you construct your writing does not always have to fit in a box. One rule that I hear all the time is to write what you know, but if you do not write about other subjects that interest you, how can you grow?

Avoid using I think. It is evident that this is your opinion, so don’t restate the obvious.

Keep track of submissions. Document where and when you sent your writing and how long do you need to wait before expecting a reply. The market listings for a publication will tell you how long is appropriate to wait for a response. Wait a few more weeks after the suggested time then follow up with an e-mail or letter.

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Creating A Writing Life

Make writing a priority. I felt guilty for years if I wrote before I had taken care of all my other responsibilities, and then I was sad that I did not do something I love. If writing is important to you and it brings you joy, you have the right to make it a priority.

Create a series of goal statements. The first is a mission statement to describe what you do and what you hope to accomplish. An example could be to be a successful writer who specializes in fitness writing. A vision statement describes where you imagine your writing career in the future. An example could be, I envision my writing appearing in major fitness magazines, speaking about fitness, and writing a book about health. A values statement explains why you do what you do and details the morals and standards you uphold. An example could be I am committed to being a professional who meets deadlines and provides excellent customer service and works with clients who have the same beliefs and morals.

Determine the best time of day for your writing. I write best earlier in the day when my energy is the strongest. I know other writers enjoy writing at night or early morning when it is quiet. I must find moments when the rest of my family is occupied because no matter how intent I try to look, they interrupt my writing to carry on a conversation or ask me for help.

 Have a writing space. I love my writing space. It is at the back of the house in a sunroom. I am surrounded by color and memories of everything I love, and to my left is a comfortable couch that my dog lies on, and to my right, I have a podium and a cozy couch for naps on rainy days. I do not have any doors in my space, but I think my family would ignore them anyway. If you need someplace outside of your house, consider the library or a coffeehouse.

 Keep a folder or notebook for writing documents. I recently had several books published simultaneously by the same publisher. The publisher and illustrator were emailing me questions, and I had to ask more than once which book the question was about. An example was when the publisher asked me to send a copy of the reader’s reviews, my dedication, and my ‘About the Author’ page. I had to ask which book he was talking about, and because I have everything stored in digital folders, it was easy to find them.

 Have another folder with signs of your success. In case you have a difficult day when you question your ability as a writer, have a folder with kind notes and complimentary reviews to remind yourself that what you are doing has value.

 Be consistent. I do not believe in the write-every-day rule because there are certain days when I need a break, and I do not want to force my writing. I do want to write consistently, though, and give my readers fresh writing consistently.

Help other writers. I frequently have aspiring writers approach me when I am vending my books. They often say, “I have an idea for a book.” I respond with, “Why aren’t you writing it?” Their response is usually, “I do not think anyone would read it. You do not know unless you try, so I will do my best to encourage anyone who wants to write. If you are a writer and something has worked well for you, share it with other writers.

 Know your rights. When you receive a contract from a client or publisher, make sure you know what you are signing. What rights do you have, and what is your client asking of you and guaranteeing for you?

 Manage finances. Keep great financial records. Create a budget and record both incoming money and expenses.

 Follow your heart. Everyone has an opinion about what you should write to be successful and make money. My husband finally understood that although I would love to make money writing, that is not my number one reason for doing it. I like to help people, and I think some of my words can do that. My work is not sexy and scandalous, but it is full of my heart. Do what makes you happy.

 Guard your energy. Several things can steal your energy as a writer. You will encounter people who want you to do work for free. Say no unless it is for a cause that you support. Decide where your energy should go. You may have to train your family to understand that you need your writing time. Develop thick skin when it comes to critiques. Realize the comments are valuable if the comments can help you to improve, otherwise ignore them because you do not need to waste your mental energy.

 Ignore the haters. First, let me separate someone who is giving you a valuable critique from a hater. When you send in your work for publication, a publisher may give you advice about improving your work. This is given with kind intentions, even though it is difficult to see your work criticized. A hater, on the other hand, only wants to demean you. It is not about you or your work; it is pure hatefulness. The best thing you can do is to ignore the comments and continue with your day.

 Be professional. Meet deadlines, answer e-mails, deliver your books on time, treat everyone with respect, and be a good human.

 Do not give up. We all have those days when we question whether we are expending time and effort for nothing. Keep going because you never know who needs to hear your words. When others do not support you, keep going if writing is your passion.

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Finding Your Writing Resources

                       Find Your Resources

You do not have to be alone on your writing journey. There are many resources to help with whatever you need and the best part is that most of them are free. Here are a few resources to investigate. Remember to keep learning. I love reading articles or books that help me grow. Keep looking for opportunities to improve. Take classes, read, attend writer’s groups, or interact with them online. Join online writing platforms and use them to improve your craft. Do not ever think your writing is good enough. Have a growth mentality instead. Here are some more specifics.

Join writing groups. Most towns and states have writing organizations that offer support for writers. They often have guest speakers and opportunities to gain experience from other writers. Here are a few to explore.

Scribophile is an online community where writers post work and receive critiques.

Writer pal is an online group where writers join small group circles for feedback.

Fictionary is an on source for free writing groups.

Facebook has many writing groups, and they offer the chance to ask questions and see what other writers are doing. Here are a few you can explore.

Writers unite                           The Write Life Community        Writers helping writers

I have used Facebook groups countless times. You can ask for advice or information, and experienced writers share their expertise.

Find the writing books that can answer your questions.

Writer’s Market is a book that also has a list of publishers and information that can be helpful. You can find everything from writing a query, controlling finances, finding a literary agent, how to blog, and how to use social media.

The Christian Writer’s Market Guide will give you publishing information for more faith-based publishers.

Book Market’s Guide for Children Writers is good if you are a children’s writer.

1001 Ways to Market Your Book by John Kremer is wonderful if you always need help with marketing like I do.

Writing Down the Bones by Natalie Goldberg is one of my favorites as well as Stephen King’s On Writing.

There are so many more terrific books on writing, so enjoy reading.

 Find the right editor or publisher. There are several diverse types of publishers. You can do self-publishing through a company like Amazon, there are vanity presses which do the publishing while charging you a fee to do it, and there are traditional publishers who do not charge you except when you order books from them if they are print on demand. Do your research about which publisher will be the best fit for you.

Use feedback as a resource but learn to filter it. After years of reading responses from editors and publishers, I will tell you that some advice is amazing, some is difficult to hear, but helpful, and some can be put aside.

I am grateful to the people who took the time to tell me why they were rejecting my work, and some of the advice helped me grow as a writer. There is a certain point, though, when it is okay to be true to who you are as a writer, so when an editor tells you to only write a certain way, you do not necessarily have to listen. I received a nasty rejection that was brutal telling me that in his opinion my book would not be published. My friend said, “Jen, that is only one voice. You can choose not to listen to it.” I listened to the criticism and made the changes that allowed the book to be published, but I appreciated the support from my friend, and I do believe that an opinion is only one voice.

Online resources

You can use Grammarly for free to edit your work. Ask other writers what online programs they use. One of my favorites is Canva that I use for newsletters. Listen to podcasts and reels for great ideas.

Research writing software Here are some ideas for software that writers use.

Scrivener This is good for long-form writing projects where you want to organize chapters, scenes, research, and notes. Some users think it is complex to use at first.

Ulysees Writers on Apple devices who want a clean distraction free writing space can use this. Writers can use this for blog posts, and shorter works.

Microsoft word   This is good for standard word processing and collaboration with comments and track changes.

Google docs This is good for collaborative writing.

Atticus Authors who want both writing and formatting can use this platform.

Grammarly  There is a free and premium version that you can use to check your grammar.

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Ask for Writing Help

Asking for help is a sign of intelligence because it means you want to learn. Most people are honored when someone asks them for help. Asking for help is a chance to collaborate on something great.

Pay attention to the successful writers.

I originally titled this ‘Pay Attention to Veteran Writers,’ but a fresh voice from a new writer can also help us. Listen to the advice the successful writers share and adapt that advice to your writing. Why are they successful? What are their readers saying? Do research about what makes some writers successful and do what you can to adapt those ideas to your writing.

I owned a bookstore at one point, and my town had a mentor program for small business owners. You were paired with an experienced business owner who could walk you through everything you needed to know about starting a business. Check to see if that is a resource where you live.

Learn from other creators.

Ask questions not only of other writers, but of other creators. Ask them what works well, where do they find inspiration, what creative ideas have helped them with marketing, and what advice they would give to other creatives. When I am vending at our local craft market, I am doing my best to sell my books, but I am also observing what the other venders do that works. I have borrowed and implemented many ideas.

Ask editors and publishers for advice. I am blessed that I found an amazing publisher who has helped me to grow. He has told me kindly when he does not think an idea will work, and he helped me learn how to write children’s books. He brainstorms with me, offers advice but tells me I do not have to take it, and supports me as I enjoy my passion.

Sometimes editors or publishers will offer you some advice. Often that advice includes ways you can change your writing to be more attractive for publication. Don’t be offended because an editor suggests changes. Ask yourself if the advice will help you grow and if it will then thank the person for the advice and make the changes.

Listen carefully when a publisher gives you a second chance. I sent in a book hoping for publication and the publisher found quite a bit wrong with it and wanted to also change the format, but he gave me a second chance to send it back in for another look. He also said he understood if this would be too much work for me. I decided I was going to do my best to change my book for the better. 101 Tips to Lighten Your Burden is now the book I hand to someone when I know they are struggling, so I am glad I was willing to accept help and put in the work.

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Beginning Your Writing Journey

At least one person each week approaches me for writing advice at the artist market where I vend my books. They ask for advice in diverse ways, but most of them are paralyzed with fear. They are afraid of failure, afraid they are not good enough, and they are unsure of how and if they should take that first step to start writing. Here are my action steps for you.

  • Overcome imposter syndrome. I remember how long it took me before I could call myself a writer. I did not think I was good enough. Imagine how much that attitude held me back, and I know I am not the only one who feels this way. I was afraid of showing my writing to anyone because I did not want to be told how bad it was. Putting your thoughts on display sets you up for judgement and critique, but your words could enlighten, enrich, and save someone.

Instead of worrying about not fitting the writer’s mold, find joy in expressing yourself. If you love to write follow your passion without worrying about the opinions of others.

  • Believe you can. Part of overcoming imposter syndrome is proving to yourself that you are a good writer. We would rather stay stagnant in our comfort zone than fail at what could help us grow. We cannot grow until we step out of our comfort zone, but often that first step is terrifying. Positive thinking can send out strong energy and when you use positive words of affirmation, the results are amazing. After you prove once or twice that you are capable of being a good writer, you will gain confidence and continue to be stronger. Keep positive notes and reviews that send you the affirmations you need. Creatives are usually doubters unless they have concrete proof of their abilities.
  • Know why you write. Remembering the reason you write will be crucial. I was complaining to my husband about not making much money with my writing. He looked at me with that look he reserves for me which means he does not understand why I do not see what he sees clearly. He asked, “Why do you write?” I answered, “Well, I have something to say, I love writing, and I believe I can help people with my experiences. Mostly, I enjoy helping people.” He then said, “Well then, stop thinking about the money and write.”

After I started vending at the local craft market, he questioned my why because he saw the time, effort, and money I was putting into my writing career. He said, “What are you trying to do? What are your goals? You are not going to make a profit with this.” I replied with another version of my why. “The market allows me to use my books to minister to people and help them. I can make connections and interact in a personal way. That is priceless.” Interacting with people face to face is a great way to market my writing.

During the next month, he saw the amount of people I helped with mental health. There were hugs and tears at my booth and I passed out copies of my 101 Tips to Lighten Your Burden book.I helped countless new writers by giving them action steps to start writing. I talked with people about life and I sold some books. One day, my husband said, “I understand why you do this now.” It helps if other people understand your why, but it is not a requirement.

When you become discouraged or frustrated, when haters are hating, and the negative thoughts creep in, your reason may be temporarily lost. Document the comments from your readers who say your writing helped them. When you start to question if your writing is good, take those comments out and read them. Keep writing and regroup when needed.

  • Decide what type of writing you will do. I hear the advice all the time that you should find your niche and stick to that topic. I am sure that it works for many people, but I want to write about a lot of different topics. At the moment, I have two self-help books, a running book, a romance, a teaching guide, and five children’s books. This will be my eleventh book, and I am working on another running book and a middle grade reader. You do not have to be stuck in a box. Write about what you enjoy but also step outside of your comfort zone and do something that will make you grow. Staying in your comfort zone feels safe, but what if you find a whole new, exciting genre or topic to explore? When my grandson was one, my daughter asked me to write a book about him. I said yes immediately, but my inside voice was saying, “I have no idea how to write a children’s book!” Luckily, I have an amazing publisher who helped me learn how to do it.

Stay open to ideas. Two qualities that will help you as a writer are being a good observer and listener. Topics are everywhere, but you must slow down and be open to them. Here are a few spots to look for ideas.

Conversations. I often find my ideas from simple conversations. One of my best running articles came from a conversation with my husband about approaching a marathon differently from a 5k. My husband described the marathon as an entirely different beast, and that became the title of my article to help runners with their first marathon.

 Suggestions. Once your friends and family know you are serious about writing, you will hear them tell you all sorts of ideas about topics to explore. Brainstorm with them when they suggest a good one.

Media.Television, magazines, newspapers, and music all offer writers topics. Keep your eyes and ears open and carry a notebook to write down ideas.

Go to workshops and conferences. Part of being successful at anything is making contacts and connections. Workshops and conferences offer you a chance to learn more about your craft, meet and brainstorm with other writers, publishers, and editors. You also have a chance to present your work to the people who could publish it.

Find inspiration. Stay open to inspiration because you never know when or where you might find it. Some of my ideas come from conversations, or something I see on television, or something I read.

Do not limit yourself. The best way to grow is to take the jump into that spot outside your comfort zone. Do not only do writing that feels safe. Take some chances and do some things that scare you.

 Start writing. I read a wonderful writing guide called Writing Down the Bones that was full of great writing tips, but at one point in the book, the author said, “Eventually, you need to stop reading this and start writing.” Writing those first words is your beginning as a writer, and that is scary for many people. Once you take that first step, you are on your way.

 Create a writer’s footprint. This was the best advice I received when I first started writing. When you pitch your writing, editors and publishers often want to know what else you have written, so find every opportunity to put your writing in front of people.

 Build a portfolio your way. What you put in your portfolio depends on what type of writer you are. If you write books, put a copy of a chapter or several pages from your children’s book. If you write articles, include those. If you also illustrate your work, put some of your work into your portfolio. Include reviews of your work. The portfolio is a chance to sell yourself.

 Read. Reading gives you fresh ideas, and it is an opportunity to learn how to craft a story from experts. Reading also shows you what you can create for others.

 Be patient. This is not easy, as you want to see your writing published, but the writing process can be lengthy, and you need to take your time to produce quality work.

 Keep a journal. Write down ideas and thoughts to use later. Brainstorm topics to discuss.

Do not always say yes. When I first started writing, I wanted to create a footprint for my writing, so I wrote for several publications for free. Not only did it allow me to build a portfolio, but it also helped me improve my writing and create contacts. Eventually, though, I decided I wanted to focus my time on paying jobs. Decide where your time and effort are best spent.