So, You Want To Become a Professional Author?
Have you always had an interest in books, a passion for writing and a creative flair? Chances are you’ve got dreams of becoming a professional author. Thanks to the internet this is becoming possible for more and more people. However, it doesn’t mean that’s it’s easy or all plain sailing. There’s a lot that goes into writing a book and creating something that others will read and enjoy. Want to become a professional author? Here are a few tips to bear in mind.
Read… A Lot
Good writers are always avid readers. When you read a lot, you broaden your vocabulary, get a better grasp on language and understand how writers create twists and turns in their stories. Reading the work of others will inspire you in your own work too! To become a true wordsmith, you need to be exposed to a lot of different types of text. Read different genres, explore different worlds and times through books. It will all contribute towards making you a better writer.
Take a Class
Writing an entire book is difficult. Even if you have an incredible imagination and are a master with words, it can be a challenge knowing how to put it all together. Taking a class can give you the fundamental skills and knowledge you need to be able to create your book. Alternatively, classes might just be able to give you pointers on certain areas, such as writing for an audience or character development.
Think About Blogging
Blogging is an excellent way to dip your toe into the water when it comes to writing. Short, snappy posts are far easier to write than entire books, and if you want to get your work out there and your voice heard this is a great way to start. Especially if you’ve not done much serious writing in a while, as this can help you to get back into the swing of things. It’s free to set up, and you can write about whatever you like. Whether it’s writing about your interests, short stories, poems or anything else, it can help to fire up your creativity and shake a few things loose in the old gray matter. Blogging can also be a lucrative side hobby, and help to support you financially while you write your book.
Publish an E-Book
Any writer will tell you how difficult it is to secure a book deal. Unfortunately, incredibly talented writers with excellent work get turned away every day. Did you know that even JK Rowling got rejected twelve times with Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone? Thankfully, you don’t have to get lucky or wait your whole life for a publisher to accept you. These days you can self-publish e-books. Sites like Amazon make this simple, so if you’re a budding writer with a story to tell then this is a fantastic option.
Before publishing, create a dynamite front cover to grab people’s attention- lots of sites have design programs for book covers so you don’t need to be a whizz with Photoshop. Make sure your e-book is nicely formatted, and have friends and family read through its entirety first. A fresh pair of eyes will help you to spot any mistakes or plot holes. As the author these can be difficult for you to see yourself as you’re so invested in it.
Just Write!
Finally, writers write! Don’t procrastinate, put pen to paper (or hands to keyboard, as it were) and get your thoughts onto the page. Don’t fuss or over think, the hardest part is always getting started. So once you’ve got going, you’ll be well on your way.
