The Writing Life

ARE YOU CURIOUS ABOUT HOW TO CULTIVATE A WRITING LIFE? Here are my top-ten tips, gleaned from scraping my knuckles at the keyboard and peering into the refrigerator for answers.

1.) Be a lover of words. Sleep with books, devour author interviews. Read, read, read.

2.) Find a trusted teacher, muse, writing group or buddy, and editor who will each guide and foster your craft of writing. The generosity of many in the writing world is boundless.

3.) Move words across the page every day. Writing is a physical act.  Every day.

4.) Listen for the voice of your characters. The sound is like a bug in your ear that you can’t escape.

5.) Wait for the shape of a story to reveal itself. Often the structure is like a cat that when you reach to pick her up, she’ll skitter across the floor. Then when you least expect it, she’ll jump into your lap.

6.) Venture into writing conferences. Abandon illusions.  Proceed with caution.  Grow a thick skin.  Let laughter follow tears.

7.) Do not expect praise from your family or old friends.  If it comes, hallelujah!

8.) A stream is running with generations of writers who have come before you.  Once you hear the call to enter the stream, unless you jump in there will be no rest. Don’t give up.  Keep on swimming.

9.) Switching from a writing hat to a marketing hat is daunting. The environment of traditional publishing can be inhospitable to a new writer. Unless of course you’ve written a blockbuster. E-publishing is flourishing.  POD has democratized publishing. Explore all options. Be brave.

10.) Support your local independent bookseller.  They are the champion of book lovers and authors.