Writing is more of a skill than a talent. Thus, any skill can be honed, perfected, and paid for. If you feel like taking the writing path and making it a career, you have all the chances of both– developing this skill and making a living with it.
Like any other career path, aspiring writers face challenges of lack of experience and self-doubt. Nobody is alone on this track, so we gathered tips from a career writing experts to help you pinpoint future challenges, prepare for them, and face them bravely. So, here are the tips on how to write well and make it a career.
Find Your Flow
Developing a skill demands consistency. Whether you are a student or an employed worker, it will be crucial to practice your writing skills. It can be either journaling or something more intentionally creative. Think of a prompt you can elaborate on and write a little every day.
Even if you can only write every other day, there must be a system and intention. The more you practice, the easier it will be to find a job as a writer. Like every beginner, writers notice when they reach the flow of their work. At first, it will take a little effort, but shaping the habit of writing is worth it for a successful career.
To some, writing without editing for a certain amount of time is helpful: you set your timer for 15 minutes and write everything on your mind. For others, it helps to select a topic and develop it. Find a comfortable approach to practice, and you will see improvements quickly.
Fight Procrastination and Perfectionism
Sometimes, our habits are our worst enemies. This is a case of procrastination familiar to many people making a living by writing. Sometimes, there are anxiety and perfectionism behind procrastination, which is why a writer must be able to fight the block they see on a blank page.
Writer’s block makes time pass with nothing getting done, so remember: imperfect writing is better than nothing. Once you stop judging your work too harshly, it will be easier to fight procrastination.
Be a Reader
A professional in this field must be able to distinguish good writing from bad one. This is why it is essential to read literature. A writer needs both fiction and non-fiction on their shelf: the former is necessary to enrich your vocabulary and style, while the latter is supposed to contribute to your professional knowledge.
Just like it works with a daily writing exercise, it is enough to read for around 30 minutes daily. Again, the key is consistency. The more you read, the easier it is to write.
Split the Process into Phases
Aspiring writers often need help when they try too many things at a time. They attempt to move from a blank page into a finished product in a single step. It is just too much. This is why you need to break it down into manageable steps: Planning—Writing—Editing.
Most in-demand writing careers cherish method over inspiration. You can separate these tasks and concentrate on one task at a time. Writing a piece of work should take at most three days to complete. You can brainstorm topics and then write down your ideas. There are many writing projects you can do. Keep a notebook handy to take with you, and write down any ideas.
You can also keep them in a note app for your phone. Write the first draft. The first draft is somewhere between fluid and structured. Your planning phase should have more structure, but editing should be less structured.
When writing your first draft, it is important not to edit yourself too much. You should just let the words flow and enjoy the journey. At this stage, the goal is to add as much information as possible to have more words to use when you edit.
The final step is to edit your finished product. It is essential to keep writing and editing separate. You must leave enough time between the first draft and the editing stage to be open to criticism. Consider the work as a reader. See what effect it is having. Next, you can make the necessary adjustments to enhance the impact and reduce the negative ones. You are closer to the finished product.
Mind Your Interests While Looking for a Job
Think of an ideal field you want to work in. It can be an organization whose voice you can become or a freelance website to match with clients independently. Define your pool of interests to find projects or companies that can contribute to your professional growth without leading to burnout.
If you only prioritize the salary in the search for a job, you will quickly get tired of it. If you are still hesitant about what you want to write about, do a small job market research to see what employers offer. If you go for a freelance website to connect with clients on your own, you will have a wider variety of topics to write on, formats of writing, and conditions of work.
Many professionals start their careers right there and gain diverse experience if they are active enough. The fact that nobody is above you in freelancing is both a blessing and a curse since many beginner or junior writers need supervision or mentorship. Such guidance is more accessible and comfortable in a full-time work arrangement, as the employer is interested in their staff performing better.
Conclusion
If you want to start a writing career, simply start where you stand. Whether you transform your hobby into a profession or start doing something completely new, you will see the results once you put your effort into it.
To avoid frustration and burnout, allow yourself to move in baby steps. Notice every improvement, celebrate it, and be sure to add all the writing skills to your resume. Finally, (and most importantly) drop the perfectionism and improve your craft day by day.
