A Basic Guide for Those Who Dream of a. Writing Career

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This is a first from a young mom fostering a writing career. She has the basics down. Enjoy! ~ CHJ  

   Get Discovered: Your 6-Step Guide to Shining as a Writer

By Gwen Payne

You’re ready to embark on the exhilarating journey of unleashing your creative prowess and getting your work noticed by the world. You dream of captivating readers with your fiction, inspiring others through your non-fiction, or sharing your unique insights through blogging. Whatever the case, this guide is your roadmap to success. Today, Tales2Inspiredives into six practical steps that will help you get discovered as a writer or author. Grab your favorite writing instrument, settle into your special nook, and let’s begin this extraordinary adventure together!

Step 1: Write Your Heart Out

First things first: you gotta write, write, and write some more! Pour your thoughts onto paper or screen and let your imagination soar. Whether it’s short stories, blog posts, or that novel you’ve been dreaming about, consistent writing is the key to honing your craft.

 

Another way to express yourself through words is by journaling. Picture this: a quiet moment, a pen and hand, and a blank page waiting to witness the dance of your thoughts. Journaling is more than just putting words on paper; it’s a transformative practice that can unlock the power of self-reflection. Journaling captures your experiences, emotions, and insights. Along the way, it becomes a trusted confidant, an outlet for self-expression, and a tool for personal growth. 

Step 2: Build Your Online Oasis

Having a vibrant online presence is an absolute game-changer in this digital era. Create your own little corner on the web by starting a blog or website. Showcasing your work in a visually appealing and easily accessible format can go a long way toward attracting readers and potential collaborators.

Don’t forget to sprinkle some social media magic, too! Platforms like X, Instagram, and Facebook are fantastic tools for connecting with fellow writers and engaging with potential readers. Share snippets of your work, show glimpses of your writing process and join conversations using relevant hashtags.

Step 3: Network Like a Pro

Networking isn’t just for those fancy business types – it’s crucial for writers, as well. Attend local writing workshops, join online writing groups, and immerse yourself in the bustling community of fellow wordsmiths. Interacting with others who share your passion can open doors to collaborations, mentorship opportunities, and even publishing connections. This is where traditional marketing, like business cards, can prove invaluable. Start handing them out around town and leaving them at local establishments!

Step 4: Seek Out Opportunities and Promote Your Work

The world is brimming with opportunities, dear writer. Take the leap and submit your work to literary magazines, online publications, and writing contests. Rejection might sting, but every acceptance is a cause for celebration and a stepping stone toward recognition. Remember that all those “no’s“ are just a part of the journey to your “yes!“

Leveraging the tried-and-true tactic of creating a brochure to market yourself is a smart and cost-effective strategy. In today’s digital age, you don’t necessarily need to hire a professional designer to achieve a high-quality, impactful brochure. Instead, you can use a brochure template available online for free. These templates provide a solid foundation that you can customize to suit your personal brand or business. By adding your own text, images, and custom design elements, you can create a stellar brochure that effectively communicates your value proposition to potential clients or readers.

Step 5: Embrace Lifelong Learning

Writers never stop growing, so keep that curious spirit alive! Go to writing workshops, enroll in online courses, and devour craft books like there’s no tomorrow. The more you learn, the better equipped you’ll be to captivate readerswith your words.

Step 6: Stay Patient and Persistent 

Rome wasn’t built in a day, and neither is a successful writing career. Embrace patience and persistence as your trusty companions on this journey. Keep writing, learning, networking, and submitting your work. Your breakthrough moment is waiting just around the corner!

You’ve armed yourself with some serious tips, and now it’s time to put them into action:

l  Start writing

l  Embrace the digital realm

l  Network like a pro

l  Seek out opportunities

l  Embrace lifelong learning 

 

Getting discovered as a writer can be challenging, but it’s far more easily attainable with a detailed plan and plenty of dedication. Above all, remain patient and persistent. Remember that your voice is unique, and the world is longing to hear it.

One way to begin is by submitting your work to anthologies. Here is an established series that offers a free contest that includes other value-added benefits to all authors who choose to enter. It’s from writer and editor Lois W. Stern who contributes her talents to TheNewBookReview.blogspot.com: 

Tales2Inspire books offer inspirational and motivational stories by award winning authors from across the globe. We also help talented authors on their individual paths to discovery.

MORE ABOUT TODAY’S SHARING WITH WRITERS CONTRIBUTOR:

Gwen Payne is a stay-at-home mom with an entrepreneurial spirit. Over the years, she has mastered raising her two daughters while side hustling to success through small ventures based on her passions – from dog walking to writing to e-commerce. With Invisiblemoms.com she hopes to show other stay-at-home parents how they can achieve their business-owning dream

 Carolyn Howard-Johnson is the multi award-winning author of fiction, creative nonfiction, and poetry. She is also a marketing consultant, editor, and author of the multi award-winning #HowToDoItFrugally Series (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BTXQL27T/ ) of books for writers including “The Frugal Book Promoter” (https://bit.ly/FrugalBookPromoIII), and “The Frugal Editor” both offered in their third editions by Modern History Press. 

Others in that series are “How to Get Great Book Reviews Frugally and Ethically,” and two booklets, both in their second editions also from Modern History Press. The booklets, “Great Little Last Minute Editing Tips for Writers” (https://bit.ly/LastMinuteEditsII) and “Great First Impression Book Proposals” (https://bit.ly/BookProposalsII) are career boosters in mini doses and both make ideal thank you gifts for authors. The one on writing book proposals is also available as an Audio Book. “The Frugal Editor “(https://tinyurl.com/TheFrugalEditor), was recently released in its third edition. It is the winningest book in this series for writers. Carolyn also has three frugal books for retailers including one she encourages authors to read because it helps them understand what is needed to convince retailers to host their workshops, presentations, and signings. It is “A Retailer’s Guide to Frugal In-Store Promotions: How To Increase Profits and Spit in the Eyes of Economic Downturns with Thrifty Events and Sales Techniques” (https://bit.ly/RetailersGuide). In addition to this blog, Carolyn helps writers extend the exposure of their favorite reviews at https://TheNewBookReview.blogspot.com. She also blogs all things editing–grammar, formatting and more–at “The Frugal, Smart, and Tuned-In Editor” (https://TheFrugalEditor.blogspot.com). Learn more and follow it to get news on her new releases directly from Amazon at https://bit.ly/CarolynsAmznProfile.

Carolyn Howard-Johnson is the multi award-winning author of the HowToDoItFrugally series of books for authors and retailers. She was named Woman of the Year in Arts and Entertainment by members of the California Legislature and was an instructor for UCLA Extension’s renowned Writers’ Program for nearly a decade. Learn more about her writer’s services at https://CarolynHoward-Johnson.com.