2 answers
Diamond
Student
New Orleans, Louisiana
2
Questions
Updated
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As far as the writing career goes, what kinds of people experience the greatest success in this field?
I'm asking because I've chosen the career of writing as my first choice and I'd love to know what I'm getting myself into.
#writer #need-help #assistance #writing #creative-writing
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2 answers
Susan E. Oser
Contributing Writer at Vape Magazine
74
Answers
Westland, Michigan
Updated
Susan E.’s Answer
It takes a while to hone a skill in writing. Even the best writers who think they write well need a proofreader/someone to read their work before they send things out. If you're expecting perfection in this field, don't because it's not going to happen. To be successful practice writing in a personal journal, blog, and on your favorite subject in a notebook. Try for the heck of it sending out an article or two to a place you'd like to write for or get opinions from a writing teacher or expert writers. Believe me, its worth it.
Daniela Silva
Freelance Writer in Mental Health and Education
922
Answers
State of Goiás, State of Goiás, Brazil
Updated
Daniela’s Answer
Hi Diamond,
“Talent is cheaper than table salt. What separates the talented individual from the successful one is a lot of hard work.” ~ Stephen King.
The good news is that many of the “personality traits” of successful writers can be learned by regular people like you and me. You don’t have to be Stephen King (or JK Rowling, or Isaac Asimov, or Ernest Hemingway, or…well, you get the picture) to make money writing.
1. Successful writers know how to set and stick to a schedule
A writing schedule isn’t exactly a personality trait – but self-discipline is. Since writers who work from home can’t be supervised or constantly watched, they need to be comfortable with setting – and sticking to – their writing schedule. Successful authors have to know how to set and meet their own self-imposed deadlines and writing goals, or they won’t earn a living as a freelance magazine writer or published novelist.
Do you want to be a writer? Learn how to push yourself to be just slightly more productive than you were yesterday.
2. Productive writers often have often introverted personalities
Successful, prolific writers need to be happy without someone working next to them in the adjoining cubicle. One of the key personality traits of a writer is the ability to not just set and achieve goals (self-discipline, which is the first trait of successful writers), but to happily work in isolation and solitude. Talking to colleagues by the water cooler or on the Facebook writers forum is a low priority for introverted writers. Some successful writers avoid social media altogether – and they’re often more introverted than most people.
3. Published authors learn the art of self-promotion
Book authors don’t have the luxury of waiting for their books to sell themselves, nor can they wait to be told how to market and help promote their books. Freelance magazine writers are in the same boat: they have to generate ideas, tackle writing assignments, find experts to interview, keep drumming up business, and sell their work.
To earn a living as a freelance writer, successful writers must always be searching for new ideas, possible markets, and clients. They need to know how to promote themselves without being shy or fearful of attention.
4. Successful freelance writers can handle administrative tasks
When I first started freelancing in 2008, I didn’t realize how important administrative skills are to a professional writer! Knowing how to be professional and businesslike may not be a personality trait, but writers have to learn the business of writing if they want to be successful.
Freelance writers have to track queries and book proposals, follow up with editors, send professional invoices, keep track of their checks received and expenditures, and save all their receipts and write-offs. Professional writers may also do their own taxes, maintain lists of experts, and be adept at handling scanning/photocopying/software equipment.
5. Working writers strive to maintain a professional image
If “entrepreneurial” isn’t a personality trait of all writers, it should be! Developing a professional image is part of learning how to run a successful writing business.
Freelance writers must submit their assignments on time, follow up when they say they’re going to, and treat editors, experts, readers, and fellow writers with respect. Writers may have once had the image of being disorganized or disheveled – the creative spirit at work – but not anymore. Now, successful writers are businesspeople and entrepreneurs.
6. Successful writers don’t procrastinate
Waiting until the night to write your essay or research an assignment may have got you through college, but it won’t get you far in the freelance writing business. Editing and revising is the name of the game – and it should the first personality trait of writers who succeed. Working writers don’t need reminders, prompts to find great sources, or reminders to send in invoices. Successful writers know what their job is – even if it’s not a paid writing assignment, even if it’s “just” to send out four queries today – and they take care of business.
“Writing is a profession for introverts who want to tell you a story but don’t want to make eye contact while doing it.” ~ John Green.
In: https://www.theadventurouswriter.com/blogwriting/personality-traits-of-successful-writers-authors-novelists/
Best of luck!
“Talent is cheaper than table salt. What separates the talented individual from the successful one is a lot of hard work.” ~ Stephen King.
The good news is that many of the “personality traits” of successful writers can be learned by regular people like you and me. You don’t have to be Stephen King (or JK Rowling, or Isaac Asimov, or Ernest Hemingway, or…well, you get the picture) to make money writing.
1. Successful writers know how to set and stick to a schedule
A writing schedule isn’t exactly a personality trait – but self-discipline is. Since writers who work from home can’t be supervised or constantly watched, they need to be comfortable with setting – and sticking to – their writing schedule. Successful authors have to know how to set and meet their own self-imposed deadlines and writing goals, or they won’t earn a living as a freelance magazine writer or published novelist.
Do you want to be a writer? Learn how to push yourself to be just slightly more productive than you were yesterday.
2. Productive writers often have often introverted personalities
Successful, prolific writers need to be happy without someone working next to them in the adjoining cubicle. One of the key personality traits of a writer is the ability to not just set and achieve goals (self-discipline, which is the first trait of successful writers), but to happily work in isolation and solitude. Talking to colleagues by the water cooler or on the Facebook writers forum is a low priority for introverted writers. Some successful writers avoid social media altogether – and they’re often more introverted than most people.
3. Published authors learn the art of self-promotion
Book authors don’t have the luxury of waiting for their books to sell themselves, nor can they wait to be told how to market and help promote their books. Freelance magazine writers are in the same boat: they have to generate ideas, tackle writing assignments, find experts to interview, keep drumming up business, and sell their work.
To earn a living as a freelance writer, successful writers must always be searching for new ideas, possible markets, and clients. They need to know how to promote themselves without being shy or fearful of attention.
4. Successful freelance writers can handle administrative tasks
When I first started freelancing in 2008, I didn’t realize how important administrative skills are to a professional writer! Knowing how to be professional and businesslike may not be a personality trait, but writers have to learn the business of writing if they want to be successful.
Freelance writers have to track queries and book proposals, follow up with editors, send professional invoices, keep track of their checks received and expenditures, and save all their receipts and write-offs. Professional writers may also do their own taxes, maintain lists of experts, and be adept at handling scanning/photocopying/software equipment.
5. Working writers strive to maintain a professional image
If “entrepreneurial” isn’t a personality trait of all writers, it should be! Developing a professional image is part of learning how to run a successful writing business.
Freelance writers must submit their assignments on time, follow up when they say they’re going to, and treat editors, experts, readers, and fellow writers with respect. Writers may have once had the image of being disorganized or disheveled – the creative spirit at work – but not anymore. Now, successful writers are businesspeople and entrepreneurs.
6. Successful writers don’t procrastinate
Waiting until the night to write your essay or research an assignment may have got you through college, but it won’t get you far in the freelance writing business. Editing and revising is the name of the game – and it should the first personality trait of writers who succeed. Working writers don’t need reminders, prompts to find great sources, or reminders to send in invoices. Successful writers know what their job is – even if it’s not a paid writing assignment, even if it’s “just” to send out four queries today – and they take care of business.
“Writing is a profession for introverts who want to tell you a story but don’t want to make eye contact while doing it.” ~ John Green.
In: https://www.theadventurouswriter.com/blogwriting/personality-traits-of-successful-writers-authors-novelists/
Best of luck!