Writing for Success- Heres My Plan
Posted: Tuesday, March 31, 2009
by Ken McCreless
RMS1437
Greetings Fellow Travelers
There aren't many of us writers who do not dream of a successful career as a paid, published author. What does it take to be a success in the world of writing? Why am I, an unheard of Stephen King wannabe, writing an article on Writing for Success?
Simple; this is not a blueprint on how I did it, but a plan on how I am going to do it.
Every time I have a spare minute I am going to write. It may be on my BlackBerry or on a restaurant napkin, but I will jot down any thoughts and story ideas I have. If I don't it may, actually likely, fly away like pigeons from a passing car. That thought may just be the catalyst for a story that will sell. Even established writers have started articles and stories and books that sit for extended periods. Stephen King's wife Tabitha, an author herself, pulled the beginnings of "Carrie" from the trash and it went on to be his first best selling book!
Write about things that inspire you.
I have started, it seems, an endless number of stories that I could care less about the subject or subject matter. Why? Because I thought I could follow another's formula that has already proven to be a success. But, since it did not come from my soul, it just sat there, pitiful and rendered useless because it was never meant to be. This leads me to
Write stories, books and articles that have meaning for you.
The passion you feel for your story will come across to the reader. He or she will get excited because you have instilled your excitement in the story. Have you ever eaten food prepared by someone who hated cooking? Was it memorable? Good memorable or bad? See what I mean? When someone cooks who hates to they will, without thinking, infuse their unsavory attitude into the meal, whether it's for someone they love, hate, or for a total stranger.
At the same time, someone who loves to cook will create some of the best food, not just because of their skill, but because they are doing something they love. It works the same for writing.
Write to improve your writing skills.
If you write a lot, as suggested above, don't just write to write, or to put down a lot of words. Make it a chance to hone your skills, to sharpen your quill. Grab a copy of The Little Brown Handbook, or some other book that will explain the way grammar works. I, for one, am a big fan of "writing to read," where the author cares little for grammar or spelling, only for the message. Problem is, without proper grammar, the message is often lost. I often read the work of someone who seems to "writes to read." I get frustrated at the misspelled words and grammar that confuse the story. I am not in a place to critique anyone, and am not asked to do so anyway.
Writing a lot, writing stories, books and articles that have meaning for you, and working to improve your writing as you go will greatly improve your chances of writing for success. I practice these principles every time I put words to paper or screen, and I am convinced I will be a published and successful author in due time.
Can you do the same? If writing is your passion, as it is mine, I know you can. Just as Billy Crystal, playing a writing professor in "Throw Momma from the Train," A movie that I HIGHLY recommend that any aspiring writer see if you haven't already, says,
"a writer writes- always!"
Ken McCreless is just a guy who loves to write, and was born to do so. He is a freelance writer with several projects ongoing, including books and magazines. A huge fan of both irony and history, Ken has dedicated his life and his writing to serve the Lord Jesus Christ.
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More commentsHI Ken, Excellent advice. I am working on stepping out of my comfort zone and picking different types of stories and subjects to write on. This has been a challenge--one I believe that is helping to improve my skills. I always appreciate when a reader points out a mistake. I strive to make it the best it can be. This means I edit 6-8 times. Just ask the editors on SW :-) Thanks for the encouragement. Blessings to you!I absolutely agree with you, Sis. Trying new things will force a new perspective with new problems which will lead to new solutions and greater writing. As for editing, you're not alone. I'll re-read my work 3 or 4 times before I paste it onto the "add an article" page, then read it a time or two again. Of course I always end up going to "edit" and changing a blunder or two. I am glad we have the option of seeing it as it would be published before it goes public!!If only we could edit our comments after 20 minutes! I've looked back at some of mine and have seen stuff that would make my English professor cry! But, that's ok. Maybe he just has something in his eye...Thank you for your support and the many encouraging words that keeps me going! I am growing by leaps and bounds here!ps I've edited this comment three times!!
Great article Ken, and very true. I have two books in the works, and one thing that I would advise is not to go overboard on writing two books at once!!!! hahahahha, it does get confusing, so I am concentrating on just one of them for now. Great advice, and they MAJOR think that I agree with, Is "just keep writing". We all do it because we love it....it pays to research your work, give it realistic instances that folks can identify with. I for one always write about what "Pops" into my mind, every good writer NEVER runs out of things to write about right? This is a great article, and will help some of those folks that are endevoring to write a book, or even a short story......Good read.......Your pal, and fan.........GaryNo, Gary, writers always have more story ideas than time to write them. My goal in writing this piece was to encourage writers to keep pluggin' on, to not stop. That is the key to success. Your love for writing springs from your love of life and that, sir, is intoxicating to the reader. That is the kind of habit that can only be a good thing for mind, body and spirit.If we had been born 200 years ago we would be cowboys riding the range with a pencil and crude paper. We would spend a lot of time staring at the moon or watching the birds or studying the terrain in an area where we 've been for years. But such is our mania.Thank you for the support and....Keep Writing!!
Hi Ken.Great article. Good advice. I have to say that writing for and reading articles on SW has certainly helped me to hone my skills.DianneIt has for me as well, Dianne. SearchWarp is a wonderful forum for the presention of ideas and the developing and fine-tuning of writing style.Thank you, I appreciate your taking the time to read and comment.
Thank you for another thought provoking article. I had never thought about writing anything, but one day my daughter was having a tough time and I just thought I would try to write a poem for her. I have continued to try to write ever since. Not sure where it will take me or where I'll go but maybe someday something will come of it.Thanks for sharing your thoughts,Linda DIndeed it will, Linda. What is success if not by doing something you love? Thank you for taking the time to read and respond, I really appreciate it.
Very nice article Ken! Very good tips and I am inspired. Thanks for sharing.You bet, Chiradeep. You are certainly on your way! And Thank You for taking the time to read and respond.
Very nicely done. I have a habit of writing in my head while going to sleep. I tend to continue whatever I've worked on that particular day, and it helps me relax. It sometimes (not often) keeps me awake, yet it is very restful. You said it best, though: Write always!Thanks, Michael.You may find this hard to believe, but I got a valuable tip from ... Watching Cheers!! One episode had Norm, (Norm!!!), posing as a gay interior decorator. In order to convince his would-be clients he was indeed as he claimed he told them, "I programmed myself to dream about your space."Now I put ideas in the back of my mind and my mind works on them, sleeping, driving, or whatever. Then brings them out when done.Crazy, huh?
Ken,You're going to hate me for this, but over the last two years I've written five books. OK, kill the braggart. Now!!!
But why? How am I able to write sooooo much?
As you say, write what you care about. It's the main reason I write. I care too damn much, so much that I write every day at least 2 hours a day. Some will say, "I don't have the time." Not if you aren't serious you don't, of course. But if you have to, if you need to, if you can't live without doing so, then you'll write. I've intentionally positioned my time so that I not only have hours a day to write, but have lots of free time to spend with my family as well. If there's a will there's a way.
But I'm no big shakes either. Consider Isac Asimov: 500 books. Yes, you read it right . . . 500 FREAKEN BOOKS!!! His advice? Get rid of the distractions and if it's a nice day, pull down the shades and get to work. Just like anything, if you're motivated enough, are purpose laden, laden with the "I've got to. Have to. Can't live without." Then you'll get to it. No fire, no fame. You've got to burn, brother, to earn your place in time. But most importantly, try to touch, motivate, inspire, inform, guide, encourage, instruct and lift as many as you can along the way. If I was just writing for myself . . . well, then, I wouldn't write at all, I guess. Peace to you brother!!! Write On!!!Hi Jeff.No hatred here. I don't need others to fail so that I can succeed.I haven't written 5 "books," but I can assure you that I put as much effort into what I do write, in intensity, if not volume, as well. The thing is, I am very particular about what I let others see. I'm like the doting mom dressing junior on his first day of kindergarten.You are an inspiration to many.
Bravo, Ken! I'm in total agreement...on all counts. (go figure!). I, too, have tried my hand at writing outside my passion. It just doesn't work (for me). Sure, I have the grammar skills and a pretty good 'command' of the English language, but that doesn't make a piece worth reading. It's the passion. Every time. No exceptions. So, I say we keep doing what we're doing. You're a terrific writer and sooner or later (let's hope 'sooner') you're going to have that 'break' and then we'll be able to say "I knew him when...".Hugs~Camille? Is that you?J/K!!You are one of my inspirations, one of my electronic, polychromatic muses.We shall indeed look back and say "I remember when..."polychromatic muse!!! WOW! That might just be one of the sweetest things I've ever heard. (giggles). FYI...even when I don't altogether 'agree' with ya, I ALWAYS love ya. No kiddin'. Hugs, my darlin'est brilliant author. Big, Italiana hugs~
Very good advise. I also liked Jeff Brown's advise, "if it's a nice day, pull down the shades and get to work". I work in my basement office, no windows, therefore no distractions. It seems to work.Indeed it does. Many days I have spent writing that others would have insisted on "getting outside." But, it's what we do and what we are.
I agree with you the most important thing for a writer to do is write.The more you write the better you write and the more people know you write. That is how I look at it.Great article. Well done.Thanks, Connor. "A writer writes-Always!"
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