If you’re a true lover of the written word (and we know you are!) you’ve probably wondered how you go about making a career out of your passion. While making a living as a writer—whether as a travel writer, book or movie reviewer, a science writer, or a novelist—is no simple feat, it’s important to remember that your favorite authors were once dreaming about becoming writers too! Here’s some words of wisdom from a few of our former competition guest judges—all professional writers themselves—on what it takes to set yourself up for a life in writing.
Persistence
The most common theme from our guest judges is keeping at it, even in the face of rejection and bad writing days.
- Environmental writer Nicholas Kusnetz sums it up: “My main advice for aspiring writers is persistence. If you stick to it, at some point you’ll realize that you’re really doing it.”
- Seán Hewitt, book reviewer for the Irish Times, agrees: “Keep going. That sounds a bit toothless and clichéd, but there will be a lot of rejection, and you have to get to a point where you believe in your work and recognize its value.”
- And novelist Annabel Monaghan also emphasizes the importance of keeping at it! “Writing is a muscle and if you are in shape for writing you will be ready to go when the opportunity presents itself, either as a job at a publication or in the form of time to write your novel.”
Embrace Revision
- Stephen Krupin, former speechwriter for President Obama, says that if you want to write as a career, you must first redefine what writing means. “Accept that writing is rewriting; first drafts are never final drafts.
Find Your Community:
- YA novelist Alexandra Sheppard emphasizes the importance of finding a supportive group of writers who you can share your work with: “My writing group was instrumental in my success as a writer. Meeting up with a supportive group of writers every month kept me accountable and made sure I actually sat down to write. While it’s useful to get feedback from friends and family, nothing compares to a solid critique from a fellow writer.”
- Seán Hewitt highlights the importance of consistently making connections in the field whenever possible. “Keep submitting your writing; keep emailing people; keep turning up to readings and interviews and engaging with the literary world. You never know who you might meet, or where it might lead.”
Persistence, Revision, and Community—not only are these tips key to preparing yourself for a writing life, but they are the foundations of Write the World! So be sure to come to the site often to write, revise, and connect.