Social media, SEO, marketing and writingWhy Writers Write: Seven Insights to Share
I believe writers write because they feel they have something they need to say to the world. The act of writing is not a skill that can easily be mastered, but the urge to share something relevant with other human beings lies within each of us.
Before you quit your day job to join the thousands of other penniless scribes scratching their way through life, you may want to ask yourself of couple of important questions that will help put your ‘urge to write’ into context:
1. What are you hoping to achieve? Fame? Earn extra money? Use the book as a stepping stone towards a new career?
2. Do you possess the basis skills required to write and pitch a manuscript? If you’re a little rusty, you may want to consider reading up on the craft and taking a writing course at your local college. Writing and submitting articles to magazines, or launching your own blog is another way to practice the art of writing.
3. Have you done your research? Are there already several books on the market on this subject? If so, it might be hard to convince a publisher why they should get behind yet another book on the subject. However, it could also mean that this is a popular topic with an audience of potential book buyers. You’ll need to convince the publisher why your book’s take on the subject warrants a publishing deal of its own.
4. Do you like working solo the majority of the time? Freelancing can be pretty lonely. It’s not a lifestyle for everyone.
5. Do you have the time to write? If you quit your job to write full-time, how will you pay your bills? If you plan on writing in the evening while keeping your day job, you may have less energy than you need to make it to the finish line.
6. Have you consulted with your family about your newfound passion to write? Might be a good idea to discuss your writing desires with them in advance — as you will likely need their support to be successful.
7. Can you take criticism and rejection? If not, you might want to quickly develop thick skin, as writing, editing, pitching, and promoting your manuscript will inevitably mean you will receive feedback you don’t like, want, or agree with.
February 1st, 2009 at 6:18 pm
great things to think about. i tried to freelance and packed it up quite quickly. i missed people too much. i need people to stimulate my creativity sometimes…glad to have had the chance to pursue it and happily back in a corporate saddle.