At our meeting last night, a new member asked, "Where do I start?" She wants to write, has a couple of works in progress, but doesn't know where to focus her energy or what to do next.
1. Begin to do your research on the industry.
Sharon Goldinger of PeopleSpeak suggested that learning about the publishing industry is a crucial first step. You need to know the common lingo, what opportunities are out there, and how the industry operates. No matter what your publishing goals, she recommended The Self-Publishing Manual by Dan Poynter as a good book to start with.
The Internet has a wealth of information, too, though you have to be discriminating about some of the advice out there. I suggest spending at least an hour every evening clicking on the links on our Resources pages here. Many authors and industry professionals have come before us and generously share their experiences on the web. Take advantage of that generosity.
2. Write. And finish what you write.
This was the advice most echoed by the experienced members of our group. Write every day. If you don't finish something, your publishing goals will never be reached.
A couple of our members lamented being caught in the trap of revision. They can't move on to the next chapter, the next paragraph, the next sentence, until the one before it is perfect.
First, there is no such thing as the perfect book. You could work on it forever and still find things to tweak. So you have to force yourself to move on.
Second, realize that if you are stuck on something - the wording of a sentence, or even writer's block - your brain or psyche is protecting you from something, and that something is most likely the fear of failure or of being imperfect. After all, if you don't finish your work, no one can tell you it's no good. The only way to overcome this is to write. Finish. Force yourself. The desire for the reward of success must be stronger than the fear of failure. Recognize your fears, face them, and soldier on.
If you're unsure of what to write, or how to approach a certain project you have in mind, do some research. Look for inspiration. Read works similar to what you're considering. The ideas will come.
Don't worry at this stage about writing something RIGHT. Our writing group, beta readers, or a critique partner can all help you with the right. (And often there is no RIGHT.) Finish the work first.
3. Determine your goals.
People write for different reasons and hope for different outcomes. If the desire for fame and fortune drive you, then your goals are different from the person who would die happy just seeing their finished book in print. Neither goal is wrong, but each has a different path to success.
Define your idea of success, and then figure out the best way to make it happen.
4. Start to develop your writing habits and routines.
Do you make time for your writing, or do you have to work to find the time? I submit that the only way you're going to be successful, no matter your actual goals, is to make time.
Every person is different, so I'm not even going to suggest how you should fit writing and the associated business aspects into your life. Speak with other writers or visit their blogs if you need some ideas. Just know that the more disciplined you are, the better the outcome.
1. Begin to do your research on the industry.
Sharon Goldinger of PeopleSpeak suggested that learning about the publishing industry is a crucial first step. You need to know the common lingo, what opportunities are out there, and how the industry operates. No matter what your publishing goals, she recommended The Self-Publishing Manual by Dan Poynter as a good book to start with.
The Internet has a wealth of information, too, though you have to be discriminating about some of the advice out there. I suggest spending at least an hour every evening clicking on the links on our Resources pages here. Many authors and industry professionals have come before us and generously share their experiences on the web. Take advantage of that generosity.
2. Write. And finish what you write.
This was the advice most echoed by the experienced members of our group. Write every day. If you don't finish something, your publishing goals will never be reached.
A couple of our members lamented being caught in the trap of revision. They can't move on to the next chapter, the next paragraph, the next sentence, until the one before it is perfect.
First, there is no such thing as the perfect book. You could work on it forever and still find things to tweak. So you have to force yourself to move on.
Second, realize that if you are stuck on something - the wording of a sentence, or even writer's block - your brain or psyche is protecting you from something, and that something is most likely the fear of failure or of being imperfect. After all, if you don't finish your work, no one can tell you it's no good. The only way to overcome this is to write. Finish. Force yourself. The desire for the reward of success must be stronger than the fear of failure. Recognize your fears, face them, and soldier on.
If you're unsure of what to write, or how to approach a certain project you have in mind, do some research. Look for inspiration. Read works similar to what you're considering. The ideas will come.
Don't worry at this stage about writing something RIGHT. Our writing group, beta readers, or a critique partner can all help you with the right. (And often there is no RIGHT.) Finish the work first.
3. Determine your goals.
People write for different reasons and hope for different outcomes. If the desire for fame and fortune drive you, then your goals are different from the person who would die happy just seeing their finished book in print. Neither goal is wrong, but each has a different path to success.
Define your idea of success, and then figure out the best way to make it happen.
4. Start to develop your writing habits and routines.
Do you make time for your writing, or do you have to work to find the time? I submit that the only way you're going to be successful, no matter your actual goals, is to make time.
Every person is different, so I'm not even going to suggest how you should fit writing and the associated business aspects into your life. Speak with other writers or visit their blogs if you need some ideas. Just know that the more disciplined you are, the better the outcome.