How to become a writer and boost your writing career

With the emerging Internet every second person may feel as a writer. People have blogs, write articles, communicate on forums and dream about fame and fans. But in fact, writer is the person who writes professionally and earn money on it as a basic occupation. And yes, the answer to the question about someone’s job “I’m a professional blogger” still sounds funny (that’s why I never say that). Even if such “writer” in teen age earns some cents on Google AdSense. Hm-m, it sounds like a perfect rhyme. Maybe, I’m a talented poet… The thing is that most of beginners in writing area suppose exactly in the same way. These experts write several articles about feeling lonely and believe that the world must definitely hear them. OMG, it seems like I’ve just described myself! Anyway, writing is a long way to go, but if you realize that, then let’s continue.

Have a practice

1.           The only one proof can be is only a real positive feedback from real experts. Another sign of really good writing skills is article sales in online content shops or various satisfied clients on at least one freelance marketplace. Of course, writing articles is not the same as writing a book is, but at least it will give a possibility to get required experience.
2.             You may laugh, but yes, start having your own blog. Make regular posts on topics you prefer and you are an expert in (either, at least, you suppose so or you grandma’ told you that). Some free blog websites even have online statistics and it will let you define, which articles are more successful and what kind of text style (not textile, humorist) readers like more.

Required basic skills

·     Deep knowledge of the topic including real practice and experience (two points above are not enough).

·         Ability to express ideas and thoughts in an interesting and understandable way.

·         Ability of finding “catchy” topics able to attract readers.

·         Personal style of writing.

·         Educated personality.

·         Correct writing (actually, this one has to be placed first in the list).

·         … not available (read further).

Stages of creating a book

Stage #1.0032: search of an interesting topic.

Alright, relax and stop biting your nails. If you’re still reading this post, then one way or another, you suit according to previous conditions, right? Oh, come on! Alright, I hope at least most of them. Anyway, it may sound weird, but actually writing has to be on the second place, if you want to build a writing career. But on the first place it has to be your… of course, not your girlfriend, silly! Your topic, your hobby or what you are going to write about. And even if there are thousands of similar books highlighting your topic, describe it in a brand-new way. Find your own style, which differs from others’ ones and start…

Stage #1.64: … gathering information.

It’s even hard to predict what actually takes more time: writing itself or gathering convenient information for future book. It includes huge amount of materials such as statistics, news (if applicable), surveys, researches, real life examples, quotes etc. This data will help to make strict structure (it’s even hard to pronounce it properly) of a book and you will always know what you should write about on every stage of creating a book.

Stage #2.00: writing.

The key concept in writing is your goal, the goal why you are writing this book. If you’re browsing the Internet with “What is the most popular writing style?” or “What to write about in order to become rich?”, then you’ve already failed even having not started writing. It’s the same as in real life. Do not copy anyone (it’s about content too, by the way). Be yourself in writing, because a book is the author’s reflection in the mirror. Difference of famous writers was their key to fame (and their weird habits count too).

Stage #3.99: sale.

When you chose a topic, made up an exact structure of a book, gathered all the necessary education and wrote a couple of chapters, then offer your piece (or even a masterpiece) for… no, not the audience, but for publishing houses or companies. On sites of some publishing houses you may find online applications. This is the stage when you will have to assure fat and serious men to publish your book It means you will have to prove why you book will be successful profitable. So here is one skill more you have to obtain: efficient seller or sales manager, if you wish (and now you may replace “not available” in the list of required skills with this one).

Note: never offer publishing houses your full copy of a book (I hope you understand why).

Stage #4.00: sale online.

After publishing a book or even instead of it you may start selling you own book via the Internet. How to do that?

•             Create your own website

Advantage: all income will be yours, as most of publishers usually take 90% 0f book wholesale price (it’s sad, I know) and retail shops make the price twice higher (it’s unfair, I know). So an author gains about 5% of retail price in total (it’s iniquitous, I know).

Disadvantage: Creating a good website costs good money. Of course, you may learn making websites, but you also have to add one skill more to the list, but remember that education also costs something.

•             Create a free blog (again?) dedicated to your book or a community in social networks, previously having printed a book at home, and send it to customers via post.

Advantage: minimal expenses.

Disadvantage: do not forget to add one skill more: PR manager.

If you are a beginner and think about writing and selling your first book, then my advice will be to choose the “a” variant, despite you will have to share your money with those fat and serious men. At least if your book fails the only one who will be responsible for it is publishing house (and you, of course, but not in financial way). But if it succeeds you will get fame and reputation of a professional writer. So your next book will cost more and in case of self-publishing your PR campaign will be a way easier due to a famous name of the author. Yes, I’m talking about you and good luck with it!