To write or not to write, that is the question.
I've spent my entire life fascinated by words. There is nothing I enjoy more than piecing together my own story, unique with my thoughts, ideas and vocabulary. I've spent hundreds of hours writing out of my own enjoyment; there's no feeling like getting lost in creating your own tale.
However, I've never considered writing to be anything more than just a hobby. I would write when I had time or when I was emotional, but I would never specifically dedicate time to getting my thoughts down on paper. Writing was my passion, but I could never see it going any farther than being my favorite past time, which was incredibly discouraging.
This, though, was until I was confronted with the question: what do I want to do for the rest of my life?
It's not an easy question to answer for most, but without skipping a beat, I knew what I would love doing for the rest of my life: writing.
I'm still putting a lot of consideration on whether I want to pursue this and hope for the best, but I decided to write this for other writers as well as myself. I spoke to a few passionate authors who have chosen writing as their career, and it inspired me; I hope it inspires you, too.
I asked each of them, "what made you decide to be a writer?", "what do you believe that it takes to be a successful writer?", and "what is some advice that you would give to budding authors?".
I received feedback from four distinct writers: Ellen Hopkins (author of books Crank and Traffick written in a style unique to herself), Jennifer Laurens (author of novels Falling for Romeo and A Season of Eden, as well as a professional critic), Lisa M. Buske (author of Where's Heidi? One Sister's Journey) and Sonya Bateman (author of Demon's Song and Master of None.)
1. What made you decide to be a writer?
Ellen: I don’t think you decide to be a writer. It’s something you’re compelled to do. Not for money or fame, but because there are stories inside you screaming to get out. What probably sparked my interest to begin with, however, was being an early, avid reader.
Jennifer: I chose to write because I loved reading a book that inspired me. I wanted to do that for others--inspire. Bring joy.
Lisa: This might sound strange but I think writing, chose me. God wired and designed me to write. I still remember my first grade teacher, Mrs. Emerson, encouraging me to read and write. She enjoyed my writing and would tell me I'd be an author one day. I couldn't imagine it but I loved the attention and her pointers and encouragement.
The hobby to write faded as more intense schooling, homework, and sports entered into my life but I still played with words. My friends and I swapped poems and stories but that was the extent.
In April, 1994, my younger sister, Heidi Allen disappeared and it changed my life tremendously. Someone, I don't remember who, told me I'd write about it one day. I shook my head and thought they were nuts. In 2006, I entered the 3-Day Novel Writing Contest, and drafted my first version of "Where's Heidi? One Sister's Journey". It had a different title, was only seventy some pages, and was more of an emotional vomit then it was a book to read and enjoy. But a couple years later, I attempted to review and edit it, but I wasn't ready.
In 2010, God prompted me to attend a writers' conference and since that July conference, I've been blogging and writing daily. I even travel to speak at churches, retreats, and venues to encourage others. It is amazing. Today, if I don't get some writing time in, I'm a touch cranky. Well, this is what my family says.
Sonya: I’ve always loved books (so much that when I was a kid, I’d get in trouble for reading when I was supposed to “go play outside” or “go to bed”). One summer when I was twenty-something, I decided I was going to write one. I can’t remember exactly why, but I just had this idea that I was going to do it. So I did – I wrote an entire book by hand, in a spiral-bound notebook, in about three weeks.
That book sucked. I mean, it was really, really bad. But actually writing a whole book was an incredible rush. I loved it so much that I just never stopped doing it! (And eventually, I got better at it. :-)
I’ve kept going and pursued becoming a published author because I want to make people feel the same way I do when I read a book that I love…emotionally invested, incredibly satisfied, and hopefully blown away by the story.
2. What do you believe that it takes to be a successful writer?
Ellen: It takes dedication to craft. Anyone can write. Not everyone will learn to write well. Most everyone has a story inside. Not everyone will choose to tell their stories well. Rising above mediocrity takes patience, passion, and the ability to listen to critique, take what resonates, and toss the rest. Revision is key. With practice, it comes easier.
Jennifer: Depends on what you think "success" is. In my writing career I made over 20k a month - as an indie author. I supported my family for over a year with my writing income when my husband switched jobs. Some would say that was "success". It is, to a degree. But the real success came from the hours, days, weeks, months and years I spent writing - fine-tuning my craft. Now, I critique for hire. To me, that is highly rewarding - helping other authors fine tune their work. Success in ANYthing means going all the way - never short cutting. As an indie, I never had to compromise, short cut, or create something someone else ( agents, big-house editors, etc ) wanted from my work. I was able to remain true to the creation.
Lisa: The most important thing needed to be successful as a writer is a desire, heart, and a passion to write. I have friends who journal daily, they are writers. I have friends with one, two, and multiple published books, they are writers. I have friends with the next best seller tucked into their file cabinet, they are writers.
Success might be the number of books or ranking on the New York Times Best Seller List for some, but a true writer is successful when they are writing. If you are called to write, then write and you will be successful.
I don't need a book to feel success. Some of my proudest moments are spent listening to a reader share how my words helped them to heal after loss, encouraged them to do one thing to move forward, or to see my Mom tear up after reading something I'd written.
Success is a personal measurement, each writer has a different goal and expectation. For me, if my writing can help someone else avoid years of pain and heartache, I am successful. Of course a bank account with money it is nice but the joy to know someone celebrated Christmas for the first time in ten years because of the words written in my book, "Where's Heidi? One Sister's Journey", are a success no one can measure but one that still brings a tear to my eyes.
Sonya: There are all sorts of factors involved in success when it comes to writing, but I believe you really need just a few basic things. Everything else can be learned along the way.
One – you absolutely have to love reading. You have to read a LOT. If you’re not reading tons of books, you can’t be familiar enough with reader expectations to write something that will satisfy a large number of people. Read, read, read!
Two – you have to be persistent (determined, stubborn, bull-headed…take your pick!). There WILL be failures on the road to success. Expect failures, embrace them as learning experiences, and keep going. It took me nearly 20 years to find success on my terms. I kept going out of sheer will…because I knew this was what I wanted to do with my life.
And three – you have to actually write. There are so many people who want to be authors and spend years planning the perfect story…only to never actually commit a single word to paper, or abandon the project halfway through. Write often – every day, if you can – and know that even if you make mistakes, you can fix them later through the magic of revising and editing. The most important thing is to keep writing, and make it an enjoyable habit.
3. What is some advice that you would give to budding authors?
Ellen: Read, read, read. And read cross genre. Mystery, sci-fi, horror, contemporary. All are structured differently, and only by studying the greats will you learn to structure your stories correctly. Then write, write, write. Even if it’s just a little every day. Jot down observations about places you go and people you meet. These can become settings or characters. Most of all, be a voyeur. People watch relentlessly. Character is EVERYTHING. And not every character can be you, or your friends or family.
Jennifer: Best advice I got and can give: join a critique group. Be ready for brutality, but take it. Trusted crit partners are as important as a marriage! And, READ across genres.
Lisa: The advice I have for budding authors, if you are writing to make money then put away your keyboard and pencils and choose a different profession. Writing and authorship isn't about money, it's about using the words and stories within your heart and mind to change lives. No matter what or how you write, write with your audience in mind and pray your words will reach the depths of your readers' inner being to change the way they think, hope, and live. True authors write because it's their passion and desire.
In a nutshell, if you are a budding author - remember your passion must be rooted in writing, not in making money.
“If, when you wake up in the morning, you can think of nothing but writing . . . then you are a writer.” ― Rainer Maria Rilke
Sonya: The good news is that it doesn’t have to take you 20 years to succeed. Publishing has changed drastically since I started writing, and there are options for today’s aspiring author that never existed before. Self-publishing is a very viable alternative to the traditional agent-publisher-book deal path, and hundreds (if not thousands) of authors are building careers without the long and often difficult slog to commercial publishing.
My advice: Do your homework. Research everything thoroughly, including the people who are offering advice (because not all writing advice is created equally – some writers have made careers out of selling “advice” to aspiring authors that may or may not be well-intentioned, but usually doesn’t result in success). This is especially crucial when it comes to self-publishing. There’s a lot of work involved in succeeding on your own – paying someone to do it for you rarely results in actual book sales.
Join forums for self-published authors (the friendliest, most active and informative forum right now is Kboards’ Writers’ Café at http://www.kboards.com/index.php/board,60.0.html) and read everything. Get to know some successful self-published authors and understand the business.
If you’re querying agents and seeking traditional publishing, the same advice applies: Always do your homework. Remember that traditional agents and publishers do not charge fees for their services, so be wary of anyone who asks for money (there are many legitimate self-publishing for-fee services for things like cover art, formatting, and advertising – but again, always research your options and make sure they’re legitimate before you pay for anything).
Above all…keep enjoying the process. If you don’t enjoy writing, your readers won’t enjoy the end result. Write because you love it!
Nothing in life is easy nor will a successful writing career fall into your lap, but these four brilliant women have shown that it's possible if you just set your mind to it.
With their advice in mind, I wish you the best of luck in your future endeavors. No one can tell your story but you.
