So you want to be a writer...
I get a lot of emails and messages asking the same sort of questions:
How do I write a book?
I've written a book...what do I do next?
How do I get published?
Can you help me get published?
How do I write a book?
I've written a book...what do I do next?
How do I get published?
Can you help me get published?
Before Me...let's ask the experts
New York Times Best Selling Author Veronica Roth gives her (amazing) advice to new writers HERE.
Are you thinking of self publishing? Then Susan Kaye Quinn's book Indie Author Survival Guide is a must.
A smart thing to do is to find Agent/Editor Blogs that are focused on the writing industry and follow them, like Agent Rachelle Gardner.
New York Times Best Seller (and self-published author) Hugh Howey has another great blog.
Michael Hyatt has another great blog (even though he's no longer head of Thomas Nelson).
There are TONS of blogs and help online-you just have to be willing to dig and search for them.
Are you thinking of self publishing? Then Susan Kaye Quinn's book Indie Author Survival Guide is a must.
A smart thing to do is to find Agent/Editor Blogs that are focused on the writing industry and follow them, like Agent Rachelle Gardner.
New York Times Best Seller (and self-published author) Hugh Howey has another great blog.
Michael Hyatt has another great blog (even though he's no longer head of Thomas Nelson).
There are TONS of blogs and help online-you just have to be willing to dig and search for them.
My Advice (for what it's worth)
The best way to become a better writer is to write more.
I know that sounds too simplistic, but writing isn't magical. It's like anything else worth achieving. If you want to be published its going to take dedication of time/energy, sacrifice, and a lot of hard work. Many people believe writing novels is an easy task (just sit down and dream at the keyboard, right?) but even during the best times, its draining and takes countless hours alone at a computer.
When asked about writing Ernest Hemingway said, "There is nothing to writing. All you do is sit down at a typewriter and bleed."
I know that sounds too simplistic, but writing isn't magical. It's like anything else worth achieving. If you want to be published its going to take dedication of time/energy, sacrifice, and a lot of hard work. Many people believe writing novels is an easy task (just sit down and dream at the keyboard, right?) but even during the best times, its draining and takes countless hours alone at a computer.
When asked about writing Ernest Hemingway said, "There is nothing to writing. All you do is sit down at a typewriter and bleed."
10 Things I would say to anyone dreaming of publishing a book
1) Read. A lot. Both fiction and non-fiction. And read as many books on the craft of writing as you can.
2) Find people who will give you honest feedback, emphasis on honest. You're not looking for people who will tell you everything you write is amazing because that won't help you improve. Find people who A) are well-read in the genre you're writing in and/or, B) are writers who are a step or two ahead of you on the publishing journey who can give you feedback. Join critique groups (that are easily found online or through writer's organizations).
3) Join a professional writer's organization and attend classes or conferences if you can. Nothing compares to being completely surrounded by other writers and brainstorming together. Google writer's organizations and find one that fits the type of author you want to be (I'd list links, but there are so many. Google what you're interested in: Christian fiction writers, Science Fiction authors, groups for indie writers, ext.).
4) If you start submitting to Publishing Houses or Literary Agents, check them first through a site like Preditors & Editors. Signing a contract with the wrong place/person can be a million times more heartbreaking than never being published at all.
5) Be professional. I can't stress that enough. If you want to be a published author then your social interactions are now part of your career resume. So don't rant or pick on people. Don't post photos or links that might give someone a bad feeling about you. And don't use your social media statuses to go on-and-on about your political opinions or anything that might make future readers/publishers/agents cringe. You are now always on a job interview. Always. Remember that. Also, when drafting correspondence to editors, published authors, and agents write as a professional. Don't shoot off an email like you're sending it to your BFF. Study how each type of letter should be worded, for example, here's how a proper query letter should read.
6) Be brave. Enter writing contests. Send your shorter works to magazines or local newspapers. Volunteer for your school newspaper or offer to write articles for your church newsletter. Use every chance to build your writing resume. I had 100+ magazine and newspaper articles and contest wins under my belt before I ever pitched a manuscript to an editor. When I did, they took me seriously because I had already done the hard work of establishing myself as a trusted freelance writer.
7) Cultivate creativity. What inspires you? If its nature, then carve out time every week to spend walking local nature trails so you can pour that into your writing. Watch movies that make you think. Listen to different types of music. Make time for creative play to spark your imagination. Creativity is your most important muscle from here on out. Don't neglect it.
8) Don't rush things. Its better to take a few more months polishing your first manuscript and getting feedback on it before putting your baby into the hands of publishers/agents/readers for consideration, then handing it over before its ready. You often have only one shot - make it your best.
9) Rejection hurts. But if this is the industry you want to be a part of, then its something you must be comfortable with. Even after the book is published you'll still face rejection (from critics, that one star review on Amazon, or that reader who keeps sending you hate-tweets). In the beginning, allow yourself to go through all of the emotions and eat ice-cream for a day, but only a day. The next day brush yourself off and move on. Rejection can be something that ruins you or challenges you to do better. If you always choose the second then you'll do well in publishing.
10) Get a comfortable chair. Seriously. Your butt needs to spend A LOT of time there. Many say the hardest thing you'll encounter as a writer is your chair and they're right. It takes a lot of dedication to put in the hours and often means missing out on time with family and friends or other favorite activities.
11) Yes. I cheated and added one more (I never claimed to be good at math), but this is the most important part of the equation: Dream Big. Seriously. You can do this.
2) Find people who will give you honest feedback, emphasis on honest. You're not looking for people who will tell you everything you write is amazing because that won't help you improve. Find people who A) are well-read in the genre you're writing in and/or, B) are writers who are a step or two ahead of you on the publishing journey who can give you feedback. Join critique groups (that are easily found online or through writer's organizations).
3) Join a professional writer's organization and attend classes or conferences if you can. Nothing compares to being completely surrounded by other writers and brainstorming together. Google writer's organizations and find one that fits the type of author you want to be (I'd list links, but there are so many. Google what you're interested in: Christian fiction writers, Science Fiction authors, groups for indie writers, ext.).
4) If you start submitting to Publishing Houses or Literary Agents, check them first through a site like Preditors & Editors. Signing a contract with the wrong place/person can be a million times more heartbreaking than never being published at all.
5) Be professional. I can't stress that enough. If you want to be a published author then your social interactions are now part of your career resume. So don't rant or pick on people. Don't post photos or links that might give someone a bad feeling about you. And don't use your social media statuses to go on-and-on about your political opinions or anything that might make future readers/publishers/agents cringe. You are now always on a job interview. Always. Remember that. Also, when drafting correspondence to editors, published authors, and agents write as a professional. Don't shoot off an email like you're sending it to your BFF. Study how each type of letter should be worded, for example, here's how a proper query letter should read.
6) Be brave. Enter writing contests. Send your shorter works to magazines or local newspapers. Volunteer for your school newspaper or offer to write articles for your church newsletter. Use every chance to build your writing resume. I had 100+ magazine and newspaper articles and contest wins under my belt before I ever pitched a manuscript to an editor. When I did, they took me seriously because I had already done the hard work of establishing myself as a trusted freelance writer.
7) Cultivate creativity. What inspires you? If its nature, then carve out time every week to spend walking local nature trails so you can pour that into your writing. Watch movies that make you think. Listen to different types of music. Make time for creative play to spark your imagination. Creativity is your most important muscle from here on out. Don't neglect it.
8) Don't rush things. Its better to take a few more months polishing your first manuscript and getting feedback on it before putting your baby into the hands of publishers/agents/readers for consideration, then handing it over before its ready. You often have only one shot - make it your best.
9) Rejection hurts. But if this is the industry you want to be a part of, then its something you must be comfortable with. Even after the book is published you'll still face rejection (from critics, that one star review on Amazon, or that reader who keeps sending you hate-tweets). In the beginning, allow yourself to go through all of the emotions and eat ice-cream for a day, but only a day. The next day brush yourself off and move on. Rejection can be something that ruins you or challenges you to do better. If you always choose the second then you'll do well in publishing.
10) Get a comfortable chair. Seriously. Your butt needs to spend A LOT of time there. Many say the hardest thing you'll encounter as a writer is your chair and they're right. It takes a lot of dedication to put in the hours and often means missing out on time with family and friends or other favorite activities.
11) Yes. I cheated and added one more (I never claimed to be good at math), but this is the most important part of the equation: Dream Big. Seriously. You can do this.