best selling authors

Writer’s Wisdom 58

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Love Thy Critics

Accepting criticism about your work is a hard thing to do.  After putting your sweat and ink into a labor of passion – a written piece from the heart, no one likes for it to be pull apart and criticized.  A writer is as proud of his/her piece as a first time mom (assuming here that the mom wants her baby, of course).  Hearing comments that your pride and joy is less than perfect will annoy or upset many writers, if not all.

Learn to look at constructive criticism in a positive light; as a tool to make you grow and get better at your craft.  Once you learn to do that, it will be easier to accept and your feelings won’t be hurt as much.  You will learn to perfect your work, resulting in satisfaction and a sense of achieving a well written piece.  Criticism comes from the human reason, and everyone has different points of view.  Learn to take it from where it comes, and analyze it as objectively as you can.  If you see truth in it, listen to the advice; it will only benefit you.  You should strive to become the best writer you can be.

Writer’s Wisdom 56

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Writing for profit

We can all agree that freelance writing is not glamorous and you will not become a millionaire .  Unless you are a published author, or best-selling author and novelist, your chances of making a lot of money writing are slim.  You can make a decent income, but forget the millions, at least at the beginning.  Despite this crude reality, you can learn to prioritize your projects to make the most of your money.  Learn to pick the assignments that give you the most income while enjoying the craft.  Spending more time on these projects, and less on the ones that take more time and pay less is a way to help your pocket.  However, that does not mean that you can’t write for the pure love of it.  Leave some time available for those writing projects that you love to do but that do not generate much income.  Balance is key.

Writer’s Wisdom 52

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Research

Even if you hate doing research, at one point or another (if you are serious about writing) you will have to get your hands dirty.  When we think of research we welcome images of books, online files, and hours of study.  That is a part of research, but there is more to it.

It all depends on the piece that you are writing.  Is it a SEO article, a poem about life in a distant land, a report, or a novel?  The depth of your research will be tailored to the piece you are writing.  Thanks to the internet and the technology available today, we don’t have to travel to that distant land if we are writing a poem about it.  But if you are writing a novel that requires a deep understanding of the place, the culture, the landscapes, and the people, you might have to take a trip.  It all depends on what you want to accomplish with your project.  Not everybody can take a plane and just go to do research, of course, but the type of project and to a degree, the status of the writer, influence the type of research.

As readers, we tend to demand more of best-selling authors than non-published writers.  Not because the work of one will be better than the other, but more because of expectation and anticipation – they thrilled us with the latest best-seller, and now, we crave more.  At one point, best-selling authors were non-published writers, so it is not fair to say that the works of the later, lack quality.

Some well-known authors travel for their research, others hire research assistants, and others love to do their research.  So, research as best as you are able to do so, according to your means, and you will have a well written piece. 

Writer’s Wisdom 48

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The Role of Music in Writing

Music can inspire you, influence you, and help your mood while writing a piece.  Despite your taste in music or writing style, you can use music to create a mood in a scene or a chapter of a novel.  Are you writing poetry or a Love affair?  Try some romantic music.  How about a dangerous scene?  Try some fast hard rock.  Keep your pen and your feet dancing – and your muse shaking.

Writer’s Wisdom 42

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Getting to know them

Getting to know who?  Your characters.  Your characters are more than names and descriptions on a page.  They move in with you for a while, and they have lives, feelings and situations.  You write them, but sometimes, they will surprise you and write themselves.

In an interview with Borders, best-selling author Linda Howard (Ice) said that “it is important to  get to know these people and what happens to them.”  She added that she pays attention to “whoever shows up in her imagination and starts talking.”  She expressed that she doesn’t plan anything – she writes “whatever story appeals to her at whatever moment.”

This is because she is very attuned to her characters and what they are saying and doing, and to the ones that have a small voice, but have not pop in yet.  While writing your book or novel, keep your ears and mind open to what your second family has to say.  It will only help you with your writing.  Care about your characters and they will take care of you.

Writer’s Wisdom 39

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Learning from the best

As aspiring authors it is important to learn as much as we can about the craft.  There are many books about writing, genres, and writing tips.  The best source is to learn from best-selling authors who have walked the path.  With the technology these days, this is easy to do.  There are many interviews of best-selling authors in You tube and in book stores.  These interviews are full of great real tips and ideas from these authors.

Another way is to visit their websites, which are full of insights to the craft and many interesting and useful tips.  Many authors have frequently asked questions sections on their sites, which are a big help for an aspiring writer.  Many have written books on the subject, according to their own writing experience and journey.  A book that I recommend is:  How I write, by Janet Evanovich.  It is full of very important and useful information – worth every penny.

If you are serious about your writing, start learning from the best.  Take it a step further and not only read their books, but visit their sites and listen to interviews; or if you have the opportunity, go to their book signings.

Writer’s Wisdom 38

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Writing your heart out

A writer’s journey is a long and lonely one.  Lonely, because of the long hours in solitary writing.  Most best-selling authors love the time they spend at book signings because they crave the social aspect of it.  Alone with your pen or computer, your mind starts running in many directions, and many times, you end up pondering your writing skills – more like questioning your writing skills.

Doubt will creep out, especially when you spend so many hours by yourself, writing.  And if you top it with handling rejections and the slow process of making money with the craft, your writer’s confidence can take a dip.  When you end up on the valley of doubt, don’t entertain those thoughts; instead, focus on the task at hand and repeat to yourself:  “I am a writer for the long run.”

A question that helps take the pressure off is:  “Who do I write for?”  When you answer the question honestly you may end up feeling relief.  For example, first, I write for my Creator, and the giver of all good things and talents.  Second, I write from the heart out, and for myself.  Third, I share my writing with readers, and appreciate any interest that they might have.

Taking this approach has helped me be less critical, patient, and a bit more focus with my writing.  I am a writer for the long run.

Writer’s Wisdom 37

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The Why

There are many freelance writers and aspiring authors out there, but why do you write?  Have you ever ask yourself the question?  Do you write because is your passion?  Do you write to blow some steam off? Or maybe, to make a couple bucks online?  Maybe you feel it is something more, something that you have to do – your destiny.

Whatever your reason for writing, it must be clear to you.  Why?  Because it permeates your pages, and your readers can tell if you are serious about your writing, passionate, or just making the quick buck.  There is much writing out there that seems careless, quick, and typed in a hurry.  If you write SEO content, volume counts, but readers care about how the information is presented.

When you know your why for writing, a clear purpose translates into a better written piece.  And eventually, faithful readers who appreciate a well presented article or story.  So, if you have never asked yourself the question: “Why do I write?” –  think about it.  Maybe, the answer will surprise you.

Writer’s Wisdom 36

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“Own your emotions.”

Our writing gets permeated by our feelings and emotions, no matter how impartial we attempt to be while writing a piece.  It is important to take a look at our emotions when we are writing, to see if we are not sabotaging our writing. 

Author Sue Grafton believes in writing down her emotions so she does not sabotage her work – as told in a Borders interview.  When writing a novel, she keeps a journal where she writes important details about the novel, and also about her feelings at the time.  She keeps her emotions in place with this technique. 

Our moods can affect our writing, and a way to release any negative moods is by keeping a writing  journal.  By releasing those bottled up feelings, you free your creative energy, and allow it to flow.  Own your emotions, and your Muse will love you for it!

Writer’s Wisdom 35

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“Mind your own writing – put a lid on it.”

Many writers fall into the trap of airing their dirty laundry on their blog or articles; their writing turns into wining.  Many writing sites allow the publishing of these types of writing – turning more into social sites, than writing sites.  If you are serious about a career in writing, mind your own writing, put a lid on it, and filter it so it doesn’t become too personal or trashy.

A simple rule to go by is – If it doesn’t help the writing or your image as a serious writer, as a professional, then trash it.”  Once it is written and published, might as well be on stone.  Down the road, if you are fortunate to land a serious writing assignment or a book contract, you don’t want those writing skeletons to come out.

If writing is your passion, take it serious, mind it and give your best.