‘Writer’ is a very broad description, which could mean anything really. Do you know what a writer does? What their life is like? Have you ever put pen to paper (or fingers to the keyboard) to discover whether you can even write anything worth reading beyond university essays?
There is so much more to being a writer than just uttering the words. But let’s assume that you really are certain that this is what you want to do. If this is truly the case, then here are some important points you will need to unravel to fill in the gaps.
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What kind of writer do you want to be?
Your first point of departure when claiming that you want to be a writer, is to define what type of writer you want to be. Do you want to write commercial content for websites or do you want to write educational tutorials? Or, perhaps you want to be a poet or specialize in writing short stories.
Still not sure? Maybe you want to write novellas or full-length novels that you believe will rock the literary world.
If you want to be an author of best-selling fiction, then you need to know whether you are capable of writing a story. You need to know, too, whether you have the skill and talent to develop intriguing characters who will keep your reader spellbound. Once you have established the boundaries of your talent, then you can move forward.
Do you write about what you know or unfamiliar topics?
Depending on what tips you’re reading, one will tell you to write about the familiar stuff, while others will warn against it. We’re all human. If you want to write about a family drama or a love triangle, you already have some familiarity with both. That’s what makes us human, after all.
Even writing about a criminal underbelly of a city requires familiarity with the human condition, although research will hopefully be necessary.
Choosing to write about an unfamiliar topic could mean testing your imagination. In this case, science fiction, horror, a dystopian or utopian world or anything else in between.
As a writer, the choice is entirely up to you as to what genre you wish to follow – fiction, non-fiction, or anything else. Once you’ve made a decision, you then need to practice your craft.
Sticking to writing and grammar rules
Everyone is different. Simply because you’ve chosen to be a writer, which is typically a creative pursuit, doesn’t mean that you are immediately a rule breaker. Being a writer also doesn’t mean you shouldn’t break the rules and develop your own style.
There is really little purpose to writing unless you’re going to sell your work. If you’re well off and don’t need the money, then finding an audience to appreciate your writing is probably the next best thing.
Imbue your style with your personality, but be prepared to make adjustments and compromises along the way. Unfortunately, if your style is too way out there, this may be your only choice if you want to be the author of a best seller.
Ask someone working as an online essay writer for hire. The academic writer from any recommended site will tell you that even a missing comma or a period can affect a student’s grades. It requires a great level of precision, whether you are writing assignments for college students, self-publishing your book, starting an online writing business, or doing SEO content writing for a website.
Be diligent with your planning
Open your story with a bang. Capture attention quickly on the first page without giving everything away in your first chapter. Create an outline for your story from the start. At least have a broad idea of the primary plot even if you don’t yet have the details.
As you develop your characters, they will fill in the details for you and probably lead you in directions you hadn’t yet considered.
Use grammar, punctuation and style with intent. This is your story, and you are in command of your tools. Do some research; speak to others along the way to enrich your knowledge and build well-rounded personalities within your book.
Greater depth will attract more attention and keep your readers enthralled. Always end your story as memorably as you began it.
Build an armor fit for a king or queen in battle
Break some rules, test your limitations, and discover your strengths as a writer. In the process, you will, in all likelihood, get to know yourself better as a person.
You will reveal your own weaknesses, unveil your own pain, reveal your own inner power and uncover your authenticity as a person and a writer. Without pain and experience, or the ability to tap into emotion, you won’t make it as a fictional author.
Put on your body armor as you will face rejection. Repeatedly. Over and over again. You will question yourself and your abilities. You will want to throw in the towel many times over and perhaps you will.
Persistence is key as a writer but wisdom is also important. If you get to the point where failure is breaking you more than challenging you, perhaps you need to reconsider the direction you’ve chosen.
Conclusion
Few authors make it in this intensely competitive environment, and even fewer become famous or financially self-sufficient from the sales of their first book. As a writer, you need to prepare yourself for some rough times ahead. Even with exceptional preparation and talent, you still may not get the recognition or reward that you deserve. Even with persistence, you may not make it, and end up choosing a different career. There are no guarantees in this industry, so best to make sure you do it for the right reasons – your own pleasure and hope the rest will follow
