Applying Yourself as a Writer

Here at the Insecure Writer’s Support Group, we will be taking part in the April A-Z Challenge. We will be posting short writing tips Mondays to Saturdays corresponding to the letter of the alphabet. If you’d like to see the list of participants or join in on the fun, click HERE.

As writers, we need to Apply ourselves to be able to run the distance required for successful publication—whether it’s traditional publication or self-publication. It doesn’t just happen. While there may be a small element of luck, 99.9% will be made up of hard work and dedication to the craft of writing.

Applying yourself means:

• Writing when you don’t feel inspired;
• Giving yourself achievable goals;
• If you like structure, then setting up workable schedules to write. If you don’t, then aiming to write every day;
• Training your family so they know not to disturb you during your precious writing time;
• Sticking to those goals, schedules and self-made deadlines;
• Not putting your writing last on your already long list of commitments;
• Championing your stories;
• Learning the craft, and continuing to learn the craft;
• Pushing yourself to do better;
• Attending conferences, meeting other writers;
• Sharing your work with critique partners;
• Sending your work to editors/agents/publishers;
• Looking after yourself, which includes eating properly and exercising regularly;
• Continuing to write despite the doubts, rejections and other setbacks;
• Never giving up.

What do you do to apply yourself as a writer?

The IWSG Facebook Group during the A-Z: If you are taking part in the A-Z Challenge and are a member of the IWSG Facebook group, then we'd love you to share your A-Z post there. Just link it in the daily thread we will make available for each letter during the month. We just ask you don’t link any A-Z posts outside the threads provided. We're looking forward to seeing you there.

Lynda R Young
@LyndaRYoung