7 Top Tips to Start a Writing Career

A guest post by Lauren Adley

Writing talent is something that’s difficult to come by and even more difficult to hone and harness. Many people look in awe toward those who can create worlds and universes with just a pen and a piece of paper. How exactly do you start a writing career? Here are a few tips that could just help you become the next JK Rowling.

1. Find your niche

Before you begin wowing audiences with stories of unrequited love and forlorn wanderers, you need to know what drives you to write in the first place. Niches can be anything from gardening to cooking to fantasy to non-fiction. Finding your niche is an important step in making sure that writing becomes more than a job. By writing about things you are passionate about, you might be writing the next bestseller.

2. Know your audience

Everyone’s palate is different. Not everyone will be able to appreciate your book. Knowing your audience means knowing the people who will be reading your work. Understanding your chosen demographic allows you to connect with them on a deeper level and establish a stronger relationship with them overall.

3. Pace yourself

The best authors know that you can’t write an award-winning novel in one sitting—or one draft. By knowing yourself and understanding your capabilities, you reduce the likelihood of burning out in the future. Some people recommend writing every day. Others write in their spare time. Every writer is different.

Excellence doesn’t happen overnight. In fact, it takes many months or even years for writers to even feel contented with their first draft. The most important thing is to know when to give yourself a break. Taking time away from writing and giving your mind the time to relax is imperative in producing and maintaining the quality of your work. Never feel bad about giving yourself a break. There’s nothing wrong with giving yourself time to process. Just make sure not to abandon your project completely

4. Write, write, write to hone your skills

There are many ways to become better at writing. However, immersing yourself in the craft is the best way to do so. Lots of companies and websites are looking for content writers. Not only is this a good way to hone your craft, but you might also get paid for your work! Consider applying to online news outlets or blogs to get yourself started.

There are many aspects of making writing a career besides writing the next bestseller! Explore your options and find the one that suits you the best.

5. Create connections and expand your reach

The people you know can make or break your career as a writer. When planning to pursue a literary career, make sure you’re connected to people who can help you reach greater heights. Join writing groups and critique groups. Attend writing conferences. Publishers, editors, marketing specialists, and agents can help you. It may seem like a daunting task, but you can find plenty of information online.

6. Never stop learning

As writers, we never truly stop learning. In fact, acknowledging that we don’t know everything is the first step to expanding our minds and learning more techniques. In this age of technology, there are many resources available at the click of a button. Websites like  Skillshare give writers the opportunity to learn things that could potentially improve their skills. Talking with other writers and publishing professionals—and listening to expert speakers—can also help immeasurably.

7. NEVER stop writing

So you’ve followed all the steps in this guide and perhaps have started to make a name for yourself as a writer. Or maybe the only success you have had is your enjoyment of writing. Everyone has a different idea of success. Perhaps you have reached some of your goals. Perhaps you haven’t yet. What should you do?

The obvious answer is to keep writing. As writers, our careers don’t stop when our pieces become successful. Or when they don’t. Instead, we let our passion push us forward to create even more works of art. We understand that every draft, mental block, and breakdown is part of the process of creating a masterpiece and that this is something that we’re willing to go through over and over again.

Whatever path you choose in becoming a writer, always remember to look back to your roots. Remember why you started writing in the first place and use this as fuel to push you forward and help you power through. In the end, it will all be worth it.

 

Lauren Adley is a writer from college paper writing services and editor at editing service and Bestessaytips.com. She is dedicated to her family, work and friends. She is keen on reading, playing the guitar and traveling. She is interested in educational, marketing and blogging issues. Feel free to connect with her on Twitter.