I hope you’ve enjoyed this whirlwind introduction to the writer’s journey. Now that we’ve come to the end of the series, it’s time for you to begin your own journey.
Where should you start? The most obvious answer is to write. And write some more. After you’ve written something promising, then begin to edit, revise, rearrange, and revisit. Most first drafts only serve as the clay from which you mold the finished product.
While you’re writing, spend time learning about the industry. If you’re planning on becoming a serious writer and want to get your work in the hands of your readers, you need to know the territory. Learn the who, what, when, where, and how of the process. You already know the Why! It’s very individual to each writer.
In your efforts to produce your masterpiece, don’t neglect reading. Especially reading in your chosen field. Absorbing how other authors express their ideas in invaluable to your own development as an author. Not to be confused with plagiarism!
As you begin to feel comfortable with a genre–or two, or three–you’ll need to start searching for your audience. Will you take the traditional publishing route? Publish online. Self-publish? Freelance? Seek a job in the industry?
Your decision will determine your next steps. Since the writing/publishing industry is such a mammoth industry, you’ll find yourself making decisions at every step of the way. None of them is written in stone. Nothing says your have to choose only. Nobody is going to insist you stick with your original choice. Here are just a few of the choices you’ll encounter.
- Employee or freelancer
Which way to turn? - Long form or short form
- Fiction or non-fiction
- Adults or children
- Hobby or career
At each junction you’ll find yourself making choices you didn’t know existed. One of the purposes of this website is to stand in the intersection and direct you in the way most suitable for you. Be sure to indicate your own preferences when you comment below.
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