Have you ever wondered if you could turn your journaling hobby into a career? Do you have something important to say or do you want to tell the world an incredible story? Nowadays, technology makes it easy for us to actually become published authors.
How do you become a successful author?
Writers are a dime a dozen. That doesn’t mean you can’t stand out. As long as you do things the right way and have creative storytelling skills, you will go far in this area.
Don’t know where to start? Let’s round up the best tips that will turn your hobby into a lifelong career.
Make writing a daily habit
Some authors make it a point to complete a chapter every day. Others try to hit a certain word count. Do what works for you. You will never finish your book if you give up the habit of writing. Everyone gets writer’s block — it’s inevitable.
However, if you devote a few hours a day to your literary masterpiece, you will see progress. This is very important in this area.
Read as much as you can
If you are interested in writing a book, you probably read a lot. Now all you have to do is be purposeful about the literature you devour. Don’t just look at the same author or genre. Discover the myriad writing styles out there and fall in love with them.
Whether it’s humor, romance, mystery or the thrill of the chase, every story should find its way onto your bookshelf.
Determine your style
Now that you’re familiar with a wide range of authors and writing styles, it’s time to find out what makes you special. Are you a Chick Lit fan or someone who makes excellent crime horror stories? And don’t be afraid to experiment.
The key is to find your authentic voice. There’s no need to sound like you’re shadow authors for another well-known author. Rely on originality on all fronts!
Do the research
Whatever you write about, research is essential. Take the example of historical fiction. You should know what life was like at a certain point in time. How was the clothes? How did they organize their day? Did they talk in a strange way? Accuracy is not negligible. Resources are plentiful on the internet. Reliable private IPs may be required to access geo-blocked content. So keep that in mind!
Check your writing
No matter how remarkable you are as an author, you will not be able to turn the first draft into a bestseller. That’s why you need a dedicated editor by your side. They review your work and tell you how to improve it. You need a fresh look to examine your pages.
If you don’t have an editor, find a freelancer. They charge per hour or number of words.
Understand that it’s okay to fail
If you come out with a book that doesn’t get the attention you’re hoping for, don’t give up. Some of today’s most successful authors haven’t seen sales boom overnight. Luckily they didn’t give up. Otherwise we wouldn’t be able to see masterpieces like Harry Potter and Dr. Don’t enjoy Seuss!
Writing is an ongoing process and mistakes are part of it. It’s about learning from them.
Concentrate on your goals
Distraction is a big problem in writing, and that’s why you won’t succeed in your endeavor if you allow it to invade your day. Since writing is generally a one-on-one job, no one will hold you accountable. Therefore, you need to identify what matters and remove any potential obstacles.
That means finding an optimal place to write, be it an office or a coffee shop, and turning off your mobile notifications.
Get in touch with other authors
As mentioned earlier, writing is mostly a solo journey. However, that doesn’t mean you have to walk the path alone. Both online and offline you will find groups, platforms and events dedicated to this area. Don’t be afraid to get involved! You will find it very interesting how many like-minded people you will meet.
These meetings will certainly come into play if you need advice or the publication of contacts.
stay passionate
If you don’t love writing, there’s no point getting into it. Although this career path is frustrating at times, you will find it extremely rewarding.
The chance to find your own voice and tell a story is something priceless. In a way, you’re cementing your place in history. Isn’t that a wonderful thought? You can always improve your writing skills, but you won’t feel the hunger or need to continue if the passion isn’t there.
Why are you doing this?
So there you have it – top tips for the aspiring writer in you. Take them to heart and if you can, print them out! Read them whenever you feel the need for encouragement.
Most importantly, always remember your “why”. Find out why you decided to become a writer and let that guide you!
