Write every day. It doesn’t have to be a grand opus every day. Write what you can as much as you can, without putting on so much pressure that you stop. If all you can manage is 200 words, then that’s great.
Read a lot. Anything and everything.
Track submissions. You need to know where your work has gone, record the dates of when you sent it and when you are due to hear back.
Read a lot.
Track rights. If you have published multiple stories, you’ll discover you’ll need to track your rights for each piece so you know exactly what is happening with your work, and when you can expect payment, or when the rights revert back to you.
Read a lot.
Share your work with beta readers and critique partners. The more you share, the easier it becomes, and your work will improve. Even after you get published.
Join a writing group. The benefits of connecting with other writers are huge.
Read a lot.
Learn the craft, including grammar. There may be editors around to fix your grammar, but understanding the nuances of the tools we use as writers will only improve your writing skills.
Keep writing and push those doubts aside.
I kept this post short for the A-Z Challenge, so what are some other good habits of successful writers?
LyndaRYoung
@LyndaRYoung
Obviously reading is important!
ReplyDeleteBe open to changes and willing to learn and change.
Being part of a writing network and critique group has helped me a lot on my journey.
ReplyDeleteOnly thing I'd add - and it comes under reading - is to keep abreast of what's happening in the market place, even if we're not following trends.
Wonderful! Writing everyday and reading a lot... Oh, that's for sure!
ReplyDeleteI have this vague impression we should read, no? =P
ReplyDeleteI agree with writing. I definitely lose it if I don't use it. Or, at least it's harder to get going.
Thanks, Lynda!
Elsie
AJ's wHooligan in the A-Z Challenge
Clearly I need to read more. :)
ReplyDeleteI think, getting away from the computer and actually observing people and eavesdropping ahem, studying them, are important for me too!!
Hehehe! Great tips. Reading is definitely very important.
ReplyDeleteOnly thing I would add to that is - read a lot, in different styles, and in different genres. You really need that variety, especially when you're deep in the trenches and completely consumed by the genre of your current tale.
ReplyDeleteMy A to Z Challenge
Read A Lot. Got it:D
ReplyDeleteI have my own top ten writing tips coming for the letter 'M'!
ReplyDeleteMy big tip is there is no such thing as writer's block. Certainly there are times when the work gets extremely difficult and crappy, but nothing you can't write through.
...Sorry. I'm tired. I realize these are good Habits, not tips.
ReplyDeleteA good habit would be to write through writer's block, no matter how bad it feels.
read and write, got it!
ReplyDeleteSo, would you advise that I read? ;)
ReplyDeleteGreat advice.
~Patricia Lynne~
Story Dam
Patricia Lynne, YA Author
For the last 5 years all my free reading time was spent on textbooks. Now that I have my BA and MBA (all in 5 years!) I have time to read again. I'm slowly getting back to book reviews from publishers and I tend to read a lot of memoir style cookbooks for inspiration.
ReplyDeleteI love how you emphasized reading. One of the things I do every day no matter how busy is read for at least 30 minutes before going to bed.
ReplyDeleteHi Lynda .. I'm not that good at reading .. and must introduce it into my general life ..
ReplyDeleteI'd add some exercise in there ... or a good long walk, or two medium ones ... getting up and shaking a leg .. I also need more of that!
Cheers Hilary
All great tips. Especially "Read a lot." ;)
ReplyDeleteBesides tracking submissions, it's a good idea to have a submission plan. If you have a list of agents, and send your work out to the first few, when a rejection comes in you can send to the next name on your list the next day. I find this takes the sting out of the rejection and keeps you moving forward.
ReplyDeleteYvonne
I would add "to Read a lot". Otherwise I really have to work on writing everyday. Sometimes I get side tracked and sometimes I simply doubt. I'll have to work on that.
ReplyDeleteLittleCely's Blog
Don't self edit while you're writing! Obviously you need to edit your book, but don't do it until you've got that first draft finished. Great post!
ReplyDeleteNow, someone told me I should go read ;)
Alex, it's not so obvious to many
ReplyDeleteJoy, yes, I totally agree with you. Knowing what's happening in the market is important.
Sittie, and it's fun too
Elsie, giggle. I wasn't sure if I made it clear enough ;)
Cristina, yes! Another great point. We need to live a little and be observant to write well.
Christine, thanks :)
Bob, yep, diversifying what you read is important.
Robin, excellent! ;)
Raquel, I'm with you on that. Writer's block is simply an excuse we all too often allow to slow us down or even stop us from writing. So yes, a good habit is to just keep writing no matter what.
Pat, I'm glad.
Patricia, absolutely!! Everyday :)
Chrystal, that's a long time on textbooks only. Sounds like it was well worth it though.
Susan, that's a brilliant habit.
ReplyDeleteHilary, oh yes, exercise is also crucial. Great addition.
Chrys, hehe, thanks.
Yvonne, another excellent addition to the list. It's a great way of keeping up the momentum.
Little, I'd add that too ;) I hope you persevere and find a way to write everyday. It really does make a difference.
Kara, amen to that! Now go enjoy your reading.;)
I think it was John Green who said reading is a writer's only (or best) apprenticeship. I thought that was pretty accurate.
ReplyDeleteAgree 100%. I would add never apologize for what you live to write. They're your words, you should write what makes you excited - not worry about other people's expectations or pre-judgments.
ReplyDeleteReading for sure. Be open to critiques but don't let negativity, especially by your own self, bring you down. Believe in yourself
ReplyDeleteRead a lot, most definitely. And believe in yourself. Thanks, Lynda.
ReplyDeleteBoth reading and writing are very important to better our skill at writing good stories. And keeping track of our rights and submissions are important (I am not good at those).
ReplyDeletegreat points .. for me it is read read and read..
ReplyDeleteWhat about 'Read a lot'? It think you missed it. ;-)
ReplyDeleteI like the emphasis on reading!
ReplyDeleteIt's not all that clear to me. Is it important to read a lot? Great post.
ReplyDeleteYes, reading is important as well as taking some writing craft exercise.
ReplyDeleteDefinite winner of a list. I'm off to read.
ReplyDeleteYou forgot 'read a lot.' Oh, wait ...
ReplyDeleteLuanne, yep, I have to agree
ReplyDeleteChad, a great addition to the list
Birgit, I think we can be our own worst enemies sometimes when it comes to negativity. A great point.
Joylene, thanks
Rachna, I learned the hard way to improve my tracking ;)
Simple Girl, and read :)
Chris, my bad! :P
Michelle, it's so important and often under valued.
Nana, giggle. I say with emphasis, reading is very important.
Romance, yep learning the craft is also important.
Leslie,enjoy your reading time!
Suze, :P I felt the emphasis was needed