Rules For Mastering the Writing Business

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“When I began as a writer, no one sent me warnings about what to expect.
I understood that, as in any industry, hard work for success was a given. I also knew there would be steep learning curves.  But beyond the study of the writing craft, I was utterly clueless.

Beginning a writing career after the age of 50 creates its own challenges, such as the complexities of internet technology, let alone everything else a writer needs to know. (I can’t claim computer ignorance—too many years working for IBM.)

So how did I prevail?

The learning curve forced me to study.   If you are writing books you might want to look at Our online Webinar called “How to Get Published, Sell Books & Attract Tens of Thousands of Readers by Selling Your Content on Amazon’s Kindle” CLICK HERE!  It takes you through then entire process from devising the content, to scheduling writing to formatting, proof-reading and marketing.

At 50 I thought I must surely know it all. But after dipping my toes in the learning pool, I discovered something extraordinarily freeing: simply by knowing some basic rules and instructions, a novice could avoid falling into the cold, chaotic slush of the writing trenches.

To save other writers from this fate, I’ve assembled five basic rules to follow, drawn from the hard lessons learned as I fought my way out of the writing trenches.

5 Rules of Conquering Chaos For The Newbie

Rule #1: Know And Understand The Language Of The Industry

Anyone working in a specialty industry like publishing can appreciate the acronym-strewn communications mine-field traversed by the writer.

A glossary of everyday terms and their acronyms is a must.  You can find all of the information that you need to get started as a newbie writer in our Get Paid to Write Course  CLICK HERE! , which is an online course developed by the Writers Life that teaches people how to become freelance writers.

Solution:  Keep a notebook handy!

Jot down any new term or acronym that passes in front of your eyes.  If the text doesn’t define its meaning, Google it. Chances are Google will give you not only a definition but also indicate how to use it properly.

Ask other writers for help if you come across something that confuses you.  This has worked far beyond expectations for me, and began several fruitful relationships with other writers I now consider friends.  I am no longer alone.

In fact, most writers have stumbled along the same potholed path as you and me, and are more than willing to clue you in.  Inquire about style manuals and learn the differences between them.  But if you still feel intimidated by asking for clarity, use Google to find a website that specializes in acronyms and other jargon currently in use.

Rule #2 Know Your Purpose

This may sound silly, but if you don’t know what purpose you’re serving in the career you’ve chosen, why are you there?  Equate purpose with final goal.

Do you:

• Want to write the tales that keep running around in your mind like squirrels looking for a nesting tree. Non-fiction, perhaps?
• Want to become a working writer for a living.
• Want to expand your influence by becoming a writing coach, editor, publisher, etc.
• Want to make a million dollars and be the next mega-writing star.

Each of these is a goal and a purpose.  They are stages of writing development built on each other.  As with all career growth, the end has a beginning.

Where are you?

Rule #3 Know The Expectations Of Those Around You And The Industry You’ve Chosen.

Now that you’ve begun walking this road, take the time to ascertain the expectations of those around you, in both the fiction and non-fiction writing fields.

Are you:

• Expected to have good grammar skills?  If you don’t already have them, acquire them, or join a critique group who can help you.
• Expected to follow guidelines for your work? If so, strive to comply. You’ll get nowhere by bucking systems long established.
• Expected to communicate clearly and with confidence?  If you have difficulties in this area, take a course or work with a mentor who can help you.
• Expected to see each project through to completion on a deadline?  If you’re a writer, this is another critical factor.  If you’re writing for yourself and on speculation, you won’t have a deadline.  If you’ve promised to complete work for someone else at a specific date and time, do whatever it takes to make that deadline.  Your credibility as a writer depends on it.
• Expected to deal well with rejection?  Every writer, engineer, scientist, or specialist comes up against rejection.  How you deal with it shows others your maturity and your professionalism.

These are just a few examples of the expectations every writer faces.  The sooner you learn them, the quicker your career will grow, and the faster your confidence will increase.

Rule #4 Be Gentle With Yourself!  Turn Off Self-Criticism And Grow A Thicker Skin.

Nobody likes rejection or criticism.

For all writers, including me I have to confess, self-doubt and self-criticism hovers on the edge of awareness at every turn.

Learning to switch off the ego allows freer creativity without threat of failure.  Rejection indicates that you’ve risked exposure to the world. With each exposure, you can grow a thicker skin, which armors you as an experienced writer in the future.

Take time to acknowledge that you cannot succeed without trying, and a 50-50 chance of success waits at the end of the trial.

Rule #5 Seek Personal Growth.

Throughout the learning curve is change.  Without change, entropy ensues, and with entropy comes stagnation.

Take Risks!

Each risk is a tiny growth spurt.  Chances to take risks come in many guises: a new genre explored, an appreciation for how grammar works, a professional friend who likes how you think, or whatever growth experience it might be.

Remember that writers have always acted as the world’s Madam Curie or Marco Polo. They strive to continue developing skills in pursuit of their dreams.  They’re often misunderstood and ridiculed.  Through it all, they live their purpose, whatever form it takes.

Carve Out Your Place

The only way the novice writer becomes the old-hand is through perseverance, which brings me back to my starting point:

Study

The learning curve is a road that never ends.  Today’s technology has ensured the relentless need for continuing self-education.

The publishing industry shifts with the day.  The Big Five publishing houses teeter on the brink of their own epiphanies with the advent of digital publishing and print-on-demand. And on these shifting sands, writers are rapidly taking control of their own publishing careers.

The Bottom Line

The truth is, if life hadn’t gotten in the way of this passion of mine, I would have jumped on this adventure much sooner and ridden its trail much farther.

And yet, here I am–a published poet, short story writer, content writer, and working on more large projects than I can contain on most days.

Embrace this revolution that swirls around us. Moreover, embrace yourself as you change and grow into the working writer. This post is by Claudette Young and was originally published under the title "5 Rules for Conquering Chaos That Every Writer Should Know" at http://bestsellerlabs.com/5-rules-for-conquering-writer-chaos/.