4 Tips for writing success

Thomas Edison decreed genius to be 99 % sweat and you know the rest. I don't know about genius but I know about writing creative non fiction and he was mostly right. Genius is part inspiration, a lot of work and learning how to sell a product you know better than anyone- yourself.

Being successful as a writer means you have to build your day around writing. Make a plan and stick with it. Lack of self discipline can ruin your career faster than a lack of talent. Plenty of weaker talents have been published but few lazy writers. I recently came across my newest favorite saying--"What do you call a writer that doesn't give up--a published author."

Get yourself a dry erase board and write each days assignments and writing projects on it. Then do each task in order until the list is done. The feeling of of achievement you experience as you mark each one off is priceless and you will see it reflected in your bank statement as well.

I am intentionally dwelling at first on the less glamorous aspects of my profession and yours because the creative part you will discover on your own. Right now we are talking about being a successful writer. That means being a successful small business owner cause as a freelance writer that is what you are.

Up Front Income sources-Content Mills

At first you may want to write for content providers such as Demand Studios (My Favorite) Break Studios or Associated Content. That's fine and Demand Studios is a very good income source with payments as high as $15 per article.

BUT,

( I know you were expecting a but so here it is)

Success Tip#3--Write Magazine Articles

There are thousands of magazines online and in print that not only accept submissions from freelance writers but encourage it. You can find work in some unlikely places if you are persistent. (I once published an article in a rap/ hip hop music magazine. This isn't unusual until you find out I'm a very Caucasian Bluegrass music fan.) Airline magazines and Smithsonian also accept work from freelance writers.

Before you send a query or email to a magazine take some time to look at the publication. See what kind of articles are popular and who the editor in charge of submissions is. Read the submission guidelines carefully and write an article that follows them and that will appeal to their readers.

Be Persistent

You will get some rejections but you will also get some articles accepted and this kind of work pays better than article writing for the content mills. Write what you are interested in or have a passion for--believe me there is a magazine devoted to the topic. Each article sold will also have the benefit of building your credibility as a writer and putting another listing in your portfolio.

The Query

If permissible, query the publication via email. Be brief because editors are very busy people. Tell them who you are and give a short description of your idea and why you think it is perfect for their publication. Say thanks and make sure they have your contact information. You just sent a query letter. For magazines that only accept snail mail queries type it up neatly and mail out to the magazine in a legal sized envelope. Be sure to include a business card also.

Repeat this process as many times as you must with as many ideas as you can. Every idea won't get rejected and soon you will have a portfolio with your clips in it to show. This helps you get even more work. Be persistent and you will succeed.

To learn more about writing a good query to sell your work you might want to visit Writing World and read the article "How to Write a Successful Query" by Moira Allen. She offers some really helpful ideas that will make your work easier.

Every day as you watch the news, see people interacting with each other, see life go on around you ideas for good articles surround you. You see a child at play and an idea for a great short story or magazine article occurs to you.

Keep a Notebook

When you get an idea take a few minutes to flesh it out. Give it a slant someone else might not think of right away. Now you have an idea for your article or story. It's time to find a market. Look on writersmarkets.com for paying markets for your idea.

There are thousands of stories unfolding around you every day. A writer's job is to share those stories with the world through his/her writing. You never know what will trigger an idea for a short story or article.

I once wrote an article on the possibility of a new mini ice age because I heard a 10 second announcement about the weather on my radio. If you are interested you can see it on my hub Winter 2010-Was it the beginning of a new Ice Age? My point being that if you learn to be observant you will get ideas for your work everywhere you go.