Once upon a time, it used to be hard to have a career as a writer. You would have to send your work, fiction or nonfiction, by mail to the publishing company or magazine of your choice. It could take weeks to hear back from them, to find whether your work was accepted or rejected. Only the best writers could be published.
Now, in the age of technology, it’s easy to write and publish work yourself.
Whether it’s fictional stories on Wattpad or writing articles for a website like Buzzfeed or Affinity, it’s possible to have your stories published with the click of a mouse. Even with this style of publishing, you’re still expected to be professional and mature. Luckily, I’m here with some advice to help you get started!
1. Use proper spelling and grammar.
This one is the most obvious, but most important as well. I know firsthand that if a fanfic has multiple typos, improper punctuation, and a lack of spaces between paragraphs, it’ll give your reader a headache trying to understand the story. To check your spelling, try this site.
2. Have an idea of what you’re going to write.
Trust me when I say it’s much harder to think of ideas when you’re watching the cursor blink on your computer screen. Before you try to log onto the website, think of what you want to write about. If you’re writing fiction, figure out what you want to happen in the chapter you’re working on. Is it a kissing scene? A sudden realization? A shocking death?
3. Do your research before writing.
If you’re writing a fantasy or sci-fi novel, feel free to do what you like. But if you’re writing about something realistic, such as historical fiction, make sure you know about the subject. Obviously, the characters in your Civil War novel are not going to be texting each other. Try to research events that actually happened during the time period you’re writing about. For example, what actually happened in Richmond, Virginia in July of 1864? Try to incorporate these events into your story, if you can. Cite any resources you use.
4. Having writer’s block? Give yourself a break.
Writer’s block can be stressful. It can be even worse if you have a deadline. Don’t stress yourself out too much if you’re struggling with what to write next. Feel free to step away from the screen for awhile. You can find inspiration in many places. Go for a walk, or read someone else’s work. When you think you’re ready to try again, come back, and continue writing.
5. Read any comments you receive.
People are going to be reading what you write, and they’ll be forming opinions about it. Some will be positive, others negative. Many of these people will be replying to your post with their opinions. You can choose to reply to them, or not. I personally don’t reply, but it’s up to you. If you do, make sure to be professional. Don’t lash out if the person doesn’t like your novel. This can make you look immature to potential publishers, and can end your career before it starts. At the same time, though, don’t be afraid to stick to your beliefs. If someone gets angry about your article about standing up to racism, feel free to calmly argue any points you want to make. Sometimes, though, you might not get any comments at all. Don’t feel discouraged if this happens. Keep your head up, and continue writing and publishing. There’s someone out there who’ll read it.
Most importantly, make sure you’re enjoying what you’re doing. Who knows? There could be a company out there who wants to publish your work!
