Aspiring Authors
Recently, someone asked me what advice I would give to someone looking to turn their passion for writing into a career. ��It’s a question that��I myself asked after I wrote my first manuscript (which, by the way, will never ever see the light of day). ��And you know, looking back, I’m glad I asked it as often as I did, because I would never have gotten as far as I have without hands reaching out to help guide me. ��I’d imagine that goes for any career you might pursue.
As far as writing goes, however, here are my top tips for aspiring authors.
1. ��Write.
It’s so cliche, right? ��But it’s true. ��You can’t be a writer if you don’t write. ��It’s wonderful to have dreams. ��Careers are built on dreams, especially dreams in the arts. ��But in order to publish that book, you must first write that book. ��Then you’re probably going to rewrite the book. ��Then you’re going to send that book off to an editor who will have you revise that book about a hundred times over. ��Writing is essential. ��And when you’re not writing, you probably should be writing.
2. Make Connections.
Authors are incredibly supportive of other authors and of aspiring authors. ��We know what you’re going through. ��We know what you’re hoping for. ��We know what it’s like to be you, and guess what? ��We want you to succeed just as much as you do. ��That’s something I love most about the writer community. ��These people are the most supportive and encouraging group I’ve ever met, and I’m proud to be one of them. ��I just hope that I make them proud. ��I hope I help and encourage and support as much as they’ve helped and encouraged and supported me over the years.
3. Do Your Research.
Before I published��Cemetery Tours, I was in the library every other week learning everything I could about independent publishing and how to succeed as a writer. ��As great as it was to have mentors to offer me advice, I ultimately had to make��all the big decisions for myself, because what works for one writer will not always work for another. ��It was also easier for me to learn that way. ��As an author, you’re going to have dozens��of options and dozens of choices to make, and at the end of the day, no one else can make them for you. ��Only you know what’s going to work best for you and for your book.
4. ��Don’t Get Discouraged.
This is a long and difficult road that you’ve chosen. ��You aren’t going to see results overnight (unless you’re JK Rowling). ��It takes a lot of time and patience. ��It also takes endurance. ��More likely than not, you’re going to have at least one person tell you that you’re wasting your time. ��They’re going to say, “You want to be a writer, that’s great, but you’re never going to make money that way. ��What do you actually want to do for a��job?” ��But I promise you, for every person who doesn’t believe in you, there are about a hundred out there who do, and they’re the ones you need to keep by your side. ��They’re the ones you need to listen to. ��Believe in yourself and believe in your writing. ��Don’t let anyone ever convince you that your work isn’t worth it, because it is. ��You��are worth it. ��This is the one life you get. ��You might as well spend it doing something you love. ��I’ve always thought that I’d rather fail��at something I love, than succeed at something I don’t care about at all. ��At least I’d know that I’d tried.
5. Know Your Resources.
There are so many sites out there for aspiring authors and professionals in general. ��A few I that recommend are:
GoodReads:��https://www.goodreads.com
Bowker:��https://www.myidentifiers.com
Author Rise:��https://www.authorrise.com
The Ladders:��https://www.theladders.com/careers/search
LinkedIn:��https://www.linkedin.com
IndieBound:��http://www.indiebound.org
