5 answers
Sharon
Student
Port Harcourt, Rivers, Nigeria
1
Question
Asked
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How do you find your niche in writing
I am currently working on improving my writing skills, but having a challenge defining my niche, would love to hear your thoughts and ideas on how.
Thanks
#Writers #Authors #Career
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5 answers
phillip crump
Security Solutions Architect
3
Answers
Douglas, MI
Updated
phillip’s Answer
Sharon, i'm not a writer, per se, but my job requires a lot of it, mostly business and technology content.
I will recommend to you a great book which is funny, inspiring, and helpful which I've read on my own several times. It's titled "On Writing", by Stephen King the renowned fiction writer.
He explores his own struggles and natural affinities and how he overcame the former and leveraged the latter. One can learn much about the writing process from Mr. King.
This answer is perhaps odd or less prescriptive compared to others but I recommend this book to many people and they learn from and enjoy it. All the best to you in your endeavors.
Phillip
I will recommend to you a great book which is funny, inspiring, and helpful which I've read on my own several times. It's titled "On Writing", by Stephen King the renowned fiction writer.
He explores his own struggles and natural affinities and how he overcame the former and leveraged the latter. One can learn much about the writing process from Mr. King.
This answer is perhaps odd or less prescriptive compared to others but I recommend this book to many people and they learn from and enjoy it. All the best to you in your endeavors.
Phillip
Thomas "TC" Moore, CUA
Design of all kinds
12
Answers
Atlanta, Georgia
Updated
Thomas "TC"’s Answer
Sharon, great advice above, but my two cents: for fiction:
> Look Beyond the Premise. If your story doesn't have a great premise, you shouldn't be writing it.
> Realize Loving Parts of a Story Isn't Enough.
> Make Your Own Head Explode.
> Look for Characters With Strong Voices and Interaction.
> Look for the Bigger Story. .
> Figure Out What Kind of Story It Will Be.
> Listen to Your Gut!
For NONfiction:
> Be clear on what you want to achieve with your nonfiction book.
> Understand the subgenre of nonfiction you're going to write.
> Choose the structure for your book.
> Draft an outline.
> Choose your style guide.
> Write, write, write.
Good luck Sharon!
Thomas
> Look Beyond the Premise. If your story doesn't have a great premise, you shouldn't be writing it.
> Realize Loving Parts of a Story Isn't Enough.
> Make Your Own Head Explode.
> Look for Characters With Strong Voices and Interaction.
> Look for the Bigger Story. .
> Figure Out What Kind of Story It Will Be.
> Listen to Your Gut!
For NONfiction:
> Be clear on what you want to achieve with your nonfiction book.
> Understand the subgenre of nonfiction you're going to write.
> Choose the structure for your book.
> Draft an outline.
> Choose your style guide.
> Write, write, write.
Good luck Sharon!
Thomas
Emma Khoury
3
Answers
Updated
Emma’s Answer
Hi my name is Emma Khoury and I am a published author. (www.emmakhoury.com)
It was definitely difficult to eke my way into the publishing world. I queried numerous agents and got rejection upon rejection. I ended up finding my agent at a Writing Convention. She helped me with the book proposal I needed to complete and shopped my manuscript to publishing houses as well as negotiated my contract. That's traditional publishing. If you want to self publish you need to be prepared to do a LOT of work. Marketing, sales, cover art, editing, all of it.
Feel free to reach out to me with any questions.
It was definitely difficult to eke my way into the publishing world. I queried numerous agents and got rejection upon rejection. I ended up finding my agent at a Writing Convention. She helped me with the book proposal I needed to complete and shopped my manuscript to publishing houses as well as negotiated my contract. That's traditional publishing. If you want to self publish you need to be prepared to do a LOT of work. Marketing, sales, cover art, editing, all of it.
Feel free to reach out to me with any questions.
Sharon Yeager
Fundraising
5
Answers
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Updated
Sharon’s Answer
If by "your niche" you mean the kind of writing that comes most naturally to you and that you are better at than most people, I think the only way to tell is to do lots of kinds of writing. Look at the written work you see every day: magazine articles, mail advertisements, instruction manuals, etc. Those are the kinds of things that people will pay you to write. Try making your own and show them to friends and family to critique. You can also think about the topics that are most interesting to you, especially topics that make you continue to ask deeper questions. Your niche could be that you be come an expert in a topic or broad topic area. For example, maybe you find yourself asking a lot of questions about the environment, or managing your money, or health. Once you become a little bit of an expert in a topic, you'll find yourself needing to write about it in different ways, such as articles, how-to's, media releases, persuasive writing (like advertising or fundraising), even social media and writing for video.
Or if by "your niche" you mean your style as an author of non-fiction or fiction literature, I don't have much practical experience there, but maybe practice daily journaling? And then go back and cold read your older writing and ask yourself whether YOU think it sounds sincere, whether it communicates (e.g., brings you back to how you felt in the moment you were writing), whether it's concise or rambling...and then use that critique to improve as you continue your journaling.
Good luck!
Study examples of writing in your everyday world and try to make your own
Practice daily journaling
Or if by "your niche" you mean your style as an author of non-fiction or fiction literature, I don't have much practical experience there, but maybe practice daily journaling? And then go back and cold read your older writing and ask yourself whether YOU think it sounds sincere, whether it communicates (e.g., brings you back to how you felt in the moment you were writing), whether it's concise or rambling...and then use that critique to improve as you continue your journaling.
Good luck!
Sharon recommends the following next steps:
Wow.....I found this really helpful, thank you for engaging 🙂
Sharon
Darcel Bowles
Academic/Career College/University Counselor
27
Answers
Los Angeles, California
Updated
Darcel’s Answer
Becoming a writer of any type is a creative and rewarding experience. I was not sure if you were a high school student or already enrolled in college. If you are in college the best option is to become a English major. As an English major you will not only learn all the important technics and proper writing structure you will learn how to write various types of articles, essays and assignments. During this process of general English writing you will slowly learn to focus on your niche. What do you like to read? Fiction, Non-Fiction, True Stories, Scientific or Romance these will also help you determine your niche. When your in an English class or a writing assignment what comments do your teacher write. What kind of grades are you getting on various essays through out all your studies. Good luck
What do you enjoy reading the most? Is that the kind of story you want to tell? Do you like to write fact, fiction or a combination of things.
College major choose English; if there is an option or concertation that you like choose that ie creative, script, non-fiction and/or people human stories
Talk to a variety of writers in various fields. Do you have a favorite author? Reach out to them. Lookup online video on how to become a writer.
Look into online Writer Association/Organization professional organizations.
Write, Write, Write everyday. The easiest is journaling. Tell your story, re-read it, evaluated and edit your own work until you hear your voice or opinion clearly.
Darcel recommends the following next steps:
This really helpful... I just graduated from college, thank you so much for this
Sharon
Charity, Congratulations on graduation from college. That is the first big step to you writing career and finding you niche. Writing is a exciting career because your can write about yourself, other people and various topics that interest you. Best of luck and wishes. Thank you for the complement! Take Care!
Darcel Bowles