Several years ago, my grandson was trying out for the All County Band in his area. He told me the piece he had to play was difficult and he was getting anxious over it. I told him that practice is a powerful tool. Just 10-15 minutes a day will help tremendously.
Obviously, the more practice, the better, but my grandson has ADHD. Reducing the amount of time spent practicing doesn’t make it seem overwhelming – it’s doable.
This philosophy will work for anything, including writing.
What does it take to have a flourishing writing career?
1. Learn the craft and practice it.
To be a ‘good’ writer, an effective writer, a working writer, you need to know your craft. The only way to do this is to study it.
If you’re starting out, take a few courses online or offline or both. Get a firm grasp of the basics.
We’re all familiar with “practice makes perfect.”
There’s a reason that saying has lasted. It’s true.
Writing coach Suzanne Lieurance says, “Writing is a lot like gardening because it takes constant pruning and weeding.”
You need to keep up with your craft. Even as you get better at it, keep honing your craft. Keep learning more and more and practice, practice, practice.
So, what does it mean to practice?
Simple. Write. Write. Write.
An excellent way to improve your writing skills is to copy (type or handwrite) content of a master in the niche you want to specialize in.
Copying content is a copywriting trick. You actually write the master’s words, and it trains your brain to write professionally. You may not even know it’s happening.
Now, we all know that this is just a practice tool. We should never use someone else’s content as our own.
2. Focus on a niche.
Have you heard the adage: A jack of all trades and master of none?
This is the reason you need to specialize.
You don’t want to be known as simply okay or good in a number of different niches. You want to be known as an expert in one or two niches.
This way, when someone is looking for a writer who specializes in children’s writing, or say, memoirs and autobiographies, you’re at the top of the list.
If you decide to focus on two niches, I would recommend that your niches be related, like memoirs and autobiographies or being an author and book marketing.
Along with this, focus produces results.
According to an article in Psychology Today on focus and results, Dan Goleman, Ph.D., says, “The more focused we are, the more successful we can be at whatever we do. And, conversely, the more distracted, the less well we do. This applies across the board: sports, school, career.
So, practice and focus your way to a successful writing career.
Create a Believable Protagonist with Realistic Characteristics
Keep Your Writing Goals Front and Center
The Author Platform – You Definitely Need One and It Should Have Been Started Yesterday
I’m a working children’s ghostwriter, rewriter, editor, and coach. I can help turn your story into a book you’ll be proud to be the author of, one that’s publishable and marketable.
OTHER HELP I OFFER:
HOW TO WRITE A CHILDREN'S FICTION BOOK
A DIY book to help you write your own children’s book.
PICTURE BOOK, CHAPTER BOOK, MIDDLE GRADE COACHING
Four to twelve-week coaching programs.
WRITERS ON THE MOVE SELF-PUBLISHING SERVICE
Self-publishing help for children’s authors.
You can contact me at: kcioffiventrice@gmail.com. Or give me a call at 347—834—6700. (Please leave a message- I’ll get back to you as soon as I can.)
