I’ve come to realize that there are many levels of writers with varying degrees of passion. Occasionally, I meet another working writer who has managed to carve out a writer’s living and lifestyle. Generally, they are freelancers and/or journalists and some of them have a one or more books. Some writers/authors have morphed into editors and editorial consultants.
There are businessmen and women and homemakers who are writing books in their spare time on subjects near and dear to their hearts and their pocketbooks.
There is the new working writer—the retired or semi-retired author who is working on one or more books in hopes of creating a lucrative second career.
Then there’s the author who has carried a book around in his head and heart for years and absolutely must get it out.
Most likely, all of these writers share in common a passion for their work. However, not all of them are passionate about writing. For some, writing is a real struggle—something they enjoy about as much as visiting the dentist or meeting their girl/boyfriend’s parents. Yet they push through the pain in order to add to their brand. Others see writing a book as, perhaps, an easy way out of debt, a reason to stay home or justification for quitting their job. They reason that books are popular—that, if “he/she” can produce a book so can they—that writing a book is a fairly simple activity—that being an author might raise their personal/professional status among friends, family and colleagues.
Where do you fit in? Do you have a passion for writing? Or are you looking at authorship as an extension of your business or a boost to your ego?
It really doesn’t matter, does it? What matters is that if you hope to experience some measure of success as a published author, there are steps you MUST take before getting involved.
Study the publishing industry.
Write a book proposal.
In the next two blog posts (September 24 and 25), I will expand on these recommendations, revealing why they are crucial and how to go about implementing them.
Note: While it is best to pursue these important activities BEFORE you start writing that book, it is never too late. So stay tuned.
In the meantime, visit my websites. Sign up for a free gift:
http://www.patriciafry.com
http://www.matilijapress.com