For starters, what’s a “doozy”? My dictionary defines “doozy” as “something that is unusually good, bad, big, severe, etc. It’s a good descriptive word for the first step that a novice author might take on the road to getting a book written, produced and read by others.
Recently, I received several queries from people asking the best way to become successful writers. Almost every word of such a request begs definition and clarification. Let’s assume, for brevity’s sake, that one wants to hone one’s writing skills in order to create pieces that will be published; better yet, that the published pieces will be paid for.
If you are starting on this journey, you have many options to hone your skills and learn about the process from imagination to realization of a book. Your education can range from casual to informal settings, from free to fee-based, from solitary efforts to group experiences. Here is what I tell the writers who come to me for advice about getting started:
1. Determine the boundaries of your desires. Every writer I’ve met wants to have his or her work read and paid for. Do you need to make a living at writing or would it be okay to be a hobby with a limited readership? Probably somewhere in-between. Knowing what you really want and need – and knowing the difference – will guide how much time, effort, money and emotion you might invest into the endeavor.
2. Start cheap. Public libraries are a great place to look for free workshops, as well as books and magazines about writing (see my Footnotes post for recommended reading). Look for local writing groups online; they are often free or low-cost (if there’s a membership fee, ask if you can monitor one meeting before committing). Click the “For Authors” category on my Book●ed blog and you’ll find a wide variety of posts I’ve written (many with links to additional information) to help you navigate the changing field of publishing).
3. If/when you feel you need more than a writing group, consider writing classes and workshops offered by reputable schools and organizations. You can find many of them by checking with your local colleges and universities, as well as listings in writing magazines. In addition to checking schedules and prices, find out who is teaching and their credentials. Don’t forget to ask your writing colleagues for recommendations.
4. Write. Write. Write! It doesn’t have to be the book that’s in your head but it does have to be your voice, demanding to be heard in some form. It doesn’t have to be published but it should be committed to paper or computer. As you create something that seems promising, start sharing it with family, close friends and trusted writing colleague. Ask for honest feedback, for the strengths and weaknesses.
5. Read. Read. Read! Seek variety. Consider writing styles that engage you or turn you away. How do those styles compare with yours? It’s not about what styles sell to the general public; it’s about what feels authentic to you.
Success is measured, above all, by feeling successful. These are the first steps toward becoming a successful writer. In future posts, I’ll address other critical aspects of moving from the dream of a book to success getting the book to readers.