The first step to becoming a writer is to read, read, read . . .
Try to write something every day. Even if you only write a short journal entry, try
to establish the habit of writing at the same time every day.
Write what you enjoy reading.
Subscribe to magazines for writers, such as WRITER'S DIGEST and BYLINE
MAGAZINE, to name a few.
Find a writer's group in your area or areas of interest. For anyone interested in
writing romance in all it's varied forms, Romance Writers of America is an
excellent resource to help beginners as well as writers established in the genre.
I find that the act of writing leads me to lots of new ideas. I'm always working on
more than one project at a time. Right now, while I have my Civil War time
travel romance being looked at by a publisher, I'm writing a second Civil War
romance that I'm almost one quarter of the way through. I belong to a romance
writers' blog where we discuss all things Victorian and have a personal blog
about my life as a romance writer. I've started preliminary work on a futuristic
romance series, so I'll have something to work on once the other novel is
finished. If I get stuck on one project, I always have something else to work on.
And ideas for all my projects jump into my head at any time. No writer's block
here. It's also good to have other projects to work on while you're waiting to
hear back from a publisher or agent.
Once you do start submitting, be prepared for rejection. Every writer has
experienced this, even best-selling authors. Develop a thick skin so you can
handle rejection letters as well as any critiques you receive. Constructive
criticism will improve your writing if you take it as it's meant. Most of the
critiques I've received have made my writing better. And remember, once you
are among the published, you still have to deal with reviews.
Finally, although publication is every writer's ultimate goal, remember to enjoy
the writing itself. Otherwise, why are you doing it? For most writers, the path to
publication takes many years and the big money and fame come to only a
select few. Most writers need to keep their day job to keep paying the bills.
They write around tight schedules, working it in wherever they can, because the
writing is what's important to them. If you're just in it for fame and money, you'd
better look elsewhere.
But if you feel writing is your passion, just do it.
Try to write something every day. Even if you only write a short journal entry, try
to establish the habit of writing at the same time every day.
Write what you enjoy reading.
Subscribe to magazines for writers, such as WRITER'S DIGEST and BYLINE
MAGAZINE, to name a few.
Find a writer's group in your area or areas of interest. For anyone interested in
writing romance in all it's varied forms, Romance Writers of America is an
excellent resource to help beginners as well as writers established in the genre.
I find that the act of writing leads me to lots of new ideas. I'm always working on
more than one project at a time. Right now, while I have my Civil War time
travel romance being looked at by a publisher, I'm writing a second Civil War
romance that I'm almost one quarter of the way through. I belong to a romance
writers' blog where we discuss all things Victorian and have a personal blog
about my life as a romance writer. I've started preliminary work on a futuristic
romance series, so I'll have something to work on once the other novel is
finished. If I get stuck on one project, I always have something else to work on.
And ideas for all my projects jump into my head at any time. No writer's block
here. It's also good to have other projects to work on while you're waiting to
hear back from a publisher or agent.
Once you do start submitting, be prepared for rejection. Every writer has
experienced this, even best-selling authors. Develop a thick skin so you can
handle rejection letters as well as any critiques you receive. Constructive
criticism will improve your writing if you take it as it's meant. Most of the
critiques I've received have made my writing better. And remember, once you
are among the published, you still have to deal with reviews.
Finally, although publication is every writer's ultimate goal, remember to enjoy
the writing itself. Otherwise, why are you doing it? For most writers, the path to
publication takes many years and the big money and fame come to only a
select few. Most writers need to keep their day job to keep paying the bills.
They write around tight schedules, working it in wherever they can, because the
writing is what's important to them. If you're just in it for fame and money, you'd
better look elsewhere.
But if you feel writing is your passion, just do it.
Me and our boxer, Kelly
My workspace
| Copyright 2006 by Susan Macatee |
Writing Tips
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