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This week: The 3 Habits of Successful Writers Edited by: KimChi  
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| Hello, I'm your new For Authors editor, Kimchi. Here I hope to share tips on the art and craft of writing, from idea to implementation, from editing to submission. Have an idea for a topic, tricks for phrasing? All suggestions are welcome. |
| ASIN: 1542722411 |
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Amazon's Price: $ 12.99
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The 3 Habits of Successful Writers
They say success is what you make it, which means if you achieve the goal you've set for yourself, then, congrats! You're a success! Whether you want to finish one poem, blog three times a week, or find an agent, completing a project boils down to setting manageable goals and then working steadily toward them. Prolific authors have three habits in common: they're passionate, they're organized, and they're uncompromisingly unique.
1) Be aggressive.
Writing is about passion. Successful writers adore their art; they fall into the abyss of a story until a child's call or a burned roast calls them back to reality. They make time in the space between daily responsibilities to write-a little or a lot, but they keep pecking away. Family and work are important, but pouring our essence into art is just as important to the health of a writer's soul.
Successful authors stretch to the limits of their yearning and beyond; they dabble in poetry or short stories, switch up their mediums, read new genres, gobble up information. Good writers know that stepping outside their comfortable bubble forces them to interact and absorb new experiences. All fodder for new and exciting scenes, better writing, and an expanded knowledge of self and human nature.
2) Be organized.
Successful writers show up on time and do the work. They know how many stories or chapters are finished and have outlined or jotted notes for the rest. They keep dates of submissions and deadlines in a prominent spot.
Successful writers use technology to their advantage. From a working pen to a thesaurus to online submission sites, the smart author knows where to find the perfect tool and how to use it.
Whatever it takes to get the job done. I'm one of those chronically disorganized people, and it takes notes, computer logs, a 15-minute timer, and a smart phone to remind me to check all the other technology. So maybe I cringe when I hear that annoying buzzer, but I get up, turn it off, and write or edit.
3) Be original.
Successful writers have their own voice, pacing, and subject matter. They don't write in the most popular genre or alter their themes to suit the masses-they write about robotic nuns even when vampire stories are hot, because robotic nuns make them whimper and run for the closet. They create the trends by setting onto paper the magical worlds no one else has dared to dream.
There are a million reasons to write-to add to historical knowledge, to create for the joy of art, to pay tribute to a mentor, or to be published and read (hopefully far and wide.) Despite our reasons for grabbing a pen, we can measure success by the same yardstick-finishing what we start, whether our goal is to write a single story, win a contest, or complete an entire manuscript.
Here's to a smashingly successful year for all of us.
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Editor's Picks
Enjoy these selections and please leave a rating and/or review for the authors who so kindly share their knowledge and experiences.
Start 2012 with a fire beneath your writing chair! Write down your goals for the year and success is guaranteed, whether you win the contest or not.
While one writer might find it necessary to write first, second and third drafts, another might not find this useful at all. One writer might find that using pen and paper sparks the most creativity; another might have to use the computer in order for the thoughts to flow quickly (and legibly) onto the page.
There is actually a simple formula for success in life that people often underestimate: if you believe, others will believe.
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Remember, there are lots of good writers competing for the top spots and the final decision will depend on that 'special something' one write has over another. Be sure your piece has breath and is singing! Bring it to life!
Stories will differ in message, content, and characters, but each one must have more than theme, plot, and dialogue to be complete. Check to see if your story has all of these elements. |
Have an opinion on what you've read here today? Then send the Editor feedback! Find an item that you think would be perfect for showcasing here? Submit it for consideration in the newsletter!
https://www.Writing.Com/go/nl_form
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| As this is my first newsletter I have no feedback. Please send a quick note to tell me how I'm doing, or suggest themes for future newsletters, or share a link to your latest masterpiece. |
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For Authors: January 11, 2012 Issue [#4819]
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