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So you are on the writing journey to publication. Like it or not, there will be set backs, pitfalls, and rejection. What can you do to make the best of each moment?
Here are a few tips to maximize your prowess at different stages of the writing journey.
STAGE ONE Of THE WRITER’S JOURNEY: BEGINNER
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*Enjoy writing. Let your mind wander through the story and fully immerse yourself in it.
*Prepare yourself for the journey ahead. A great resource for your journey is Magellan Life Coaching.
*Land on a decision about what genre you want to write. Usually, it is best to write what you love to read.
*Read best sellers in your genre.
*Begin to learn about social media, but give yourself some time before you start blogging and such. This is one stage of the journey where you really should just focus on the writing itself.
*Commit to doing one thing a week to learn more about writing. Read a reputable blog on writing craft, attend a writing craft chat (a great one is at My Book Therapy on Monday Nights – Totally Free).
Bleacher Chats: 7pm CST/Monday Nights
(Chat room at: http://www.mybooktherapy.ning.com/chat)
STAGE TWO OF THE WRITER’S JOURNEY: EMERGENT
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*Continue to focus on your writing. Start getting into a writing routine and establish a bit of discipline about writing each day.
*Complete a manuscript. Just keep writing until you hit the end. Don’t try to edit it. Just get it on the page. You can edit it a bit later as your craft grows.
*Budget to attend a writing retreat or maybe even a conference. Don’t expect the moon your first time there. Just be ready to learn a lot. Focus on networking.
A few of my favorites retreats are:
My favorite conference:
American Christian Fiction Writers Conference
*Get Business Cards made to help you network at conferences and retreats.
*Learn to use Facebook and post occasionally so you begin to get comfortable with it. Grow your Facebook crowd.
*Begin reading blogs so you can learn about successful blogging.
A few blogs I recommend are:
Books & Such Literary Agency Blog
*If you have a sudden urge to blog, write blogs and file them for later. You could start your own blog, but remember that any time you write for something else, you aren’t writing your book. Those extra blogs you file will come in handy later when you are so busy.
STAGE THREE OF THE WRITER’s JOURNEY: SKILLED
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*Budget to attend a larger conference. Learn about pitching your novel and practice.
*Seek out craft training on editing. Start with story structure and then move to deepening your novel. It may take several edits to get your first manuscript to your best. Even then, it might not be ready for publication, so when it is your best, move on and write a new manuscript.
*Enter Contests and get feedback from REPUTABLE sources on your writing.
*Learn how to use Twitter and Google+ or Linked In. Still your presence doesn’t have to be high, but start to grow your Twitter followers by following others.
You can get great social media advice from:
*Begin to learn about agents to familiarize yourself with their style. At some point you may be submitting your work. It is important to know where you want to submit first. Michael Hyatt’s Blog has some suggestions on agents.
STAGE FOUR OF THE WRITER’S JOURNEY: PROFICIENT
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*Research Publishing Houses and know the market. You want a sense for things that people are looking for.
*Submit your work to an agent for possible representation.
*Continuing writing during the waiting stages. There will be LOTS OF WAITING, so get used to it (Can a person really do that? LOL)
*DON”T GIVE UP! This is a difficult stage. You may feel as if it will never happen. Those around you may get contracts and you don’t. Celebrate with those that celebrate and realize that your turn is coming.
*Attend Conferences to make face to face connections with Agents and Editors. Pitch your work. Note down feedback.
*LISTEN, LISTEN, LISTEN! You will learn a ton if you just plain listen.
The Writing Road is not for the faint of heart. Take courage. Pray. Believe.
Really great checklists and advice here. Thanks.
Thanks Delores! I really appreciate your encouragement!
Yes, great check list…love your choice of retreats. And echo:Listen, listen, listen!
Thanks, Pat. Wish you could come up this way for the Great Lakes Get Away! We’d have a blast!
Trust God. I know, soooo easy to say…but I really think it’s the absolute best, best, best thing we can do, no matter where we are at in the journey.
Great list, Michelle!
You’re right Melissa! Sometimes that is really hard. It is almost like having to saying it out loud all of the time to let it take hold. But as much as we try to take back control, God sweeps in to take charge.
Thank you so much for the mention, Michelle!!