How to become a writer that will reach the greatness of literary geniuses past and present? No idea, still working on that one. But, while we wait, let’s talk about how to become a book writer in the first place. We are not talking about some causal, once-in-a-blue-moon author, but a full-fledged, employed wordsmith, with a publisher and everything. As it turns out, there are a few prerequisites.
Write
Sounds simple enough, right? Wrong. Sometimes, the inspiration will not strike. Other times, your motivation may be shot. There is even the possibility that your work is just no good at the moment.
It is precisely for these reasons that you must write. Write about your day, write about your opinion, try writing in alliteration or a lipogram. Think of it as practicing a move so many times it becomes second nature. This isn’t here to help you create a great novel but to make sure you are ready to do it properly when the time comes. While we’re on the subject, try avoiding clichés or come up with a twist for them.
Build Your Portfolio
All artists need a portfolio. That way, you can make sure the person making a business deal with you already knows what you are capable of because they saw some of your work. We are, of course, talking about an online portfolio.
You don’t need to put all your works online – just enough for people to get a sense of your style and flair. It really helps if you put up some work that has already been published, even if it’s just you getting self-published.
Networking and Branding
Sometimes, it is not just what you know, but who you know as well. Stick with fellow writers and get acquainted with publishers and editors. Get noticed, but not in a pushy way. The reason Richard Knaak got the contract with Blizzard because they were impressed with his work in the Dragonlance series. The more you get out there, the more likely you will get on someone’s radar.
It also helps if you decide the type of writing you want to do. Are you going to become a fantasy novelist? Perhaps SF is more of your thing. Regardless of the genre, stick to it. It is much more fulfilling to write things you know and are passionate about. However, it doesn’t hurt to experiment from time to time.
Find Other Writing Work
While this appears to clash with the previous section, it might be good to write other assignments in order to keep your fingers busy, as well as earn income before moving onto big leagues. You need to work hard towards achieving your dream, but you must also be able to provide for yourself in the meantime.
Any type of content creation is fine, though some people will require a transcriber or a copywriter. You can also tutor students in literature if you have enough knowledge and/or qualifications concerning the subject.
