Lessons Learned and Advice for Aspiring Writers
writing tips, writer advice, overcoming obstacles, writing mindset, writing habits
Here are some candid lessons learned and advice for aspiring writers:
Writing is hard work, period. Those romantic notions of being a writer lounging at a Parisian Cafe sipping espressos? Yeah, that's not reality. Writing takes serious discipline, determination, and perseverance. You need to develop the mindset that you are doing the hard work of a laborer. Butt in chair, hands on keyboard. Grind it out. There will be days when you don’t want anything to do with writing, and it’s okay to take time off, but you must form good writing habits, or progress will be hard. More on this in a minute.
You will face constant rejection and self-doubt. That's just part of the writer's life. Develop thick skin and a strong belief in yourself because you'll need it. The rejections never stop coming, no matter your level of success. Don't take it personally, and don't get discouraged. It's all part of the process. I like to look at rejections as an opportunity for feedback, especially from a publisher. Ask them what they liked and didn’t like about your pitch and use that information to keep growing and honing your pitches.
Okay, back to writing habits. Bad writing habits are easy to develop and hard to break. Procrastination, distractions, and writer's block can all derail you if you let them take over. Successful writers approach it like any other job. Set a schedule, minimize distractions, and write daily, even if you have to force out subpar words. Consistency is key. When I say write daily, that means in any form. If you are struggling with your current project, take a break for a day or two, focus on writing something else, and come back with fresh eyes. Maybe take up journaling and use that as a writing tool. There are ways to write daily without putting pressure on yourself constantly to be working on your project.
Finally, read as much as you can in your genre, not just for enjoyment but to study the craft. Analyze what works and what doesn't. Deconstruct the writing and learn from it. The more you read quality writing, the better you'll be able to produce it yourself.
What are some of your favorite writing tips? Do any of these lessons learned resonate with you?
Let me know!
