1. Enjoy the journey.
Writing novels takes time.
There’s no way to get around this, no magic wand that will spit out a
full-length, polished novel in a few weeks.
True, we have fun challenges like NaNoWriMo that encourage
us to complete 50,000 words inside of a month. But anyone who has participated
in NaNoWriMo will tell you the work doesn’t end there. The “completed” novel must be revised,
perhaps rewritten, often expanded, and certainly edited before it can truly be
finished.
For this reason, while it’s important to keep an eye on the
prize, you need to enjoy every part of writing a novel, from beginning to
middle to end. Don’t stress out if it feels like you’re taking forever to
finish. The time you spend with your characters is precious. Believe or not,
you’ll miss those characters when you’re done.
2. Develop a routine that works for you.
Discipline is important in writing, and everyone has a
different approach to discipline. Some writers keep journals, others compose on
the computer. Some writers force themselves to put out a certain number of
words per day, others ignore word counts but dedicate ‘sacred’ writing time as
their schedule allows.
While it’s good to look at how other writers organize their
time, it’s very important that you identify a routine that fits your life style
and your creative rhythm. The best way to write is your way to write.
3. Keep the day job.
The truth of the matter is it’s very difficult to make a
living as a writer.
The advent of self-publishing and other industry changes has
made earning money from writing harder than ever. A recent study showed that
median income for writers has dropped 30% in the last ten years. While we are
all hoping the situation will change, for the time being there’s no sign that
the market will become friendlier for those of us who peck away at the keyboard
producing stories.
Everyone who loves writing should keep writing. But you also
need to find something else you love and make it the career that keeps food on
the table. Someday, with a lot of hard work and a little luck, you may be able
to leave the day job and devote yourself full time to being a published author.
Until then, keep your financial bases covered.
4. Success comes in many flavors.
Because the vast majority of writers do not make money off
their work, it’s important to keep in mind that success does not boil down to
income. The highest success you can have as a writer is to craft a wonderful
story. With that success comes many rewards.
For example, there’s no greater feeling than having readers
tell you how much they enjoyed your novel.
I have also found great personal satisfaction in the friends and
colleagues I’ve met through writing. Writers are amazing people: talented, giving,
empathetic, and supportive. Just being in their company is a privilege, and
I’ve found some of my closest friends through writing.
There’s also success in balancing writing with everything
else needed to make life happy and fulfilling. Everyone has their own personal
definition of success. Learn to recognize and appreciate your successes as they
come.
5. Have faith in your journey as a writer.
More than a job, writing is a vocation. If you feel
compelled to write, follow that muse wherever it may lead. Some stories we
write just for ourselves. Some are meant to be shared with a larger audience.
It’s not always up to us to determine which is which.
When we put a story on the market, we allow readers to
choose whether they want to be part of our journey or not. This is a scary
moment, but also, I think, a place where a little bit of faith goes a long way.
If the time is ripe for your story to capture the
imagination of thousands, then it will happen. If not, that’s okay too. Nothing
will change the fact that you are a writer. The most important responsibility
you have is to use your gift and keep writing.
Karin
Rita Gastreich writes stories of ordinary women and the extraordinary paths
they choose. She lives in Kansas City, Missouri, where she is part of the
biology faculty at Avila University. An ecologist by vocation, Karin has
wandered forests and wildlands for over twenty years. Her past times include
camping, hiking, music, and flamenco dance. In addition to THE SILVER WEB
trilogy, Karin has published short stories in World Jumping, Zahir, Adventures
for the Average Woman, and 69 Flavors of Paranoia. She is a recipient of the
Spring 2011 Andrews Forest Writer’s Residency.
Website:
http://krgastreich.com
Twitter:
@EolynChronicles
Purchase
link for SWORD OF SHADOWS, Book Two of THE SILVER WEB:
