When you’re knee-deep in the tangle of learning something new, it’s easy to get lost in trivialities.
What’s important and what’s not?
What deserves your attention, and what can you let go of?
Overwhelm stalls your forward progress, frustration rises (maybe even a little panic?) and the wave of “I’ll never figure this out”, washes over.
And since the rules are rapidly changing, there is a constant struggle to pull yourself from the quagmire of the “unimportant”, and focus on what’s truly relevant to crafting a long and successful writing career.
Take a deep breath.
Building your career as a writer is no small task.
But it’s too important not to figure out.
To ease the tension and guide you along your path, the following is a list of gentle reminders of what really matters. Things you probably already know, but have forgotten or abandoned while striving to build your author empire.
1. Failure is the best teacher.
Don’t waste any opportunities to fail–that’s where you’ll learn the biggest lessons. Learn what you need to and move forward, or expect to repeat these same lessons again (and again).
2. Let opportunity sneak up on you.
Be open to the possibility that the path for your work and your writing career may unfold in an entirely different way than you envision. You can’t anticipate a sharp turn, a serendipitous moment or a lucky chance, so have a plan, but allow room for happenstance.
3. Perfect isn’t likely, so start before you are ready.
According to James Clear, “an imperfect start can always be improved…”. The only way to get closer to “perfect” is to practice imperfection. So just start where you are. Your best (right now) will do just fine.
4. Be you.
Don’t let inauthenticity creep into your writing or promotion. The more genuine your communication and connection with the people who care about your work, the easier your job becomes. People want the real you, so make sure you give it to them.
5. A personal manifesto is necessary.
Who are you really? What do you value? You can’t share what you can’t articulate, so take the time to simply state who you are and what you stand for. You’ll be surprised at how difficult this is, but understanding your own motivations and the message you are trying to share is just as important for you to recognize as it is for your readers.
6. Stop worrying about what other people think.
Don’t allow others to validate your worthiness. You already matter, and fame doesn’t guarantee significance. Not everyone will “get” you, but in most cases, those who do will accept you, warts and all.
7. Get intentional.
Be present in every moment. Don’t dress rehearse tragedy by anticipating failure or ruin before it happens. And don’t let the past hold you so tight, it prevents you from moving forward. Welcome this moment, right now, and squeeze everything you can from it.
8. Don’t confuse hard with complicated.
Writing and marketing are both hard work, but neither is rocket science. “The hard part isn’t learning what to do, it’s doing what you learn.” (Tweet this)
9. Ignore the myth of overnight success.
Don’t fall for the idea that there is a low effort, fast-track way to the success you want–and bestselling author X has figured it out. There is always a backstory of blood, sweat and tears that doesn’t break the surface until you do.
10. Write, write, write.
Contrary to popular belief, the physical act is required. Contemplating, processing and planning may be helpful, but at some point it’s necessary to actually put pen to paper and do the work. Repeatedly.
11. Heal yourself of Obsessive Comparison Disorder.
Nothing sucks the motivation out of you like watching someone else live the life you wish you had. Don’t compare what you are trying to do with what someone else has already done. Be inspired that it’s possible, but understand the road you take to get there will probably look quite different.
12. You won’t know until later (perhaps much later) just how important this moment really is to your future.
Embrace it. What you’re doing right now is moving you toward where you need to be.
13. Have a plan, but be open to unplanned opportunities.
How many times have you heard people who have found success (however they define it) say, “If you had told me 5 years ago that I would be here today, I would have thought you were crazy.”? Life loves to throw out the unexpected. Be ready!
14. Outmaneuver disappointment.
Your words, your ideas and your stories matter. But your work’s importance becomes irrelevant if you can’t push through the setbacks. Find ways to hurdle the obstacles, regardless of their size.
15. Writing is supposed to be hard work.
And getting it into the hands of your readers even harder. Did we really think it would be easy? 😉
16. Read, read, read.
Learn everything you can about how other writers write and how the industry works. Incorporate what works for you; toss out what doesn’t.
17. Take care of yourself.
Nothing runs when the tank is empty. Whether it’s small, daily rituals that help you regain balance, or weekly “time-outs” of an hour or two–make sure you take the time you need to rejuvenate your body, mind and passions.
18. Everyone at every level feels anxiety, confusion and fear about the next step.
18. Everyone at every level feels anxiety, confusion and fear about the next step.Those that are successful are those who take the next step anyway.
19. Don’t chase the money.
Determine what holds the most value for you–what money can’t buy–and chase that instead.
20. Emulate.
Copy the best, but try to surpass the original by adding your own personal “flavour” to the mix.
21. Sometimes, what the top authors and bestsellers are doing to create success won’t work for you.
There is no “one-size-fits-all” path to greatness. Nor is there one right way to get where you want to go. Learn to tell the difference between what fits and what doesn’t.
22. Don’t intimidate.
Let people in. Let them relate to you. Relationships (and friendships) form from understanding and common interests–not from standing apart or above. Allow yourself to open up and be a little vulnerable.
23. Don’t be intimidated.
People can relate to vulnerability and struggle, but they only follow leaders. Confidently communicate your vision and purpose so others may share in its expression.
24. Know your audience.
Get inside their heads. Researching and understanding the people who will be reading your novel, listening to you speak or learning from your courses will help you send your message in a way that they can receive it.
25. Expand your creativity past your writing.
People absorb information in many different ways. Just because you are a writer, doesn’t mean the only way to connect with your audience is through the written word. Work with a variety of mediums–like images, video, music and blogging–to express your ideas.
26. Be grateful.
Gratitude requires practice. Celebrate what you’ve done instead of obsessing over what you haven’t. Change “I have to” to “I get to” and watch how radically your worldview changes.
27. Listen.
What are your readers saying? Reviewers? Other writers? Weed out the exceptionally negative or unhelpful criticism, but take note of the valuable tid bits and insights that people are willing to share with you. Your growth as a writer depends on how well you can listen.
28. Be vulnerable.
Vulnerability is not weakness. It requires great strength.
“You can’t get to courage without walking through vulnerability.”
– Brené Brown
29. Make an impact.
Don’t be afraid of what you can accomplish. With persistence and focus even the smallest of things can make a big impact. So start small, and then increase your influence and your reach. “Make a difference to a few, and they will help you make a difference for many.” (Tweet this)
30. Greatness and ruin are only a step apart.
Actor, Will Smith, is quoted as saying, “Greatness lives on the edge of destruction.” Too often, people quit early. Sometimes holding on just a few beats longer can make the difference between success and failure. You will never experience true greatness if you’re not willing to go to the edge.
31. Cut yourself some slack.
You can handle much more than you think, but despite your best efforts, some things will just not get done. Accept that your very best effort will be good enough.
32. Be generous.
Don’t hoard your creativity and gifts. Share them freely and give some of your best work away for free. It may seem counterintuitive, but it is one of the best ways to earn more for your work.
33. Do something that matters.
All too often we focus inward on our own immediate wants and needs. It’s difficult to look up and out and focus on the bigger picture. Re-evaluate your purpose–your reason for creating the work that you do–and see if you can’t inspire a deeper emotion, a bigger conversation or a more compelling reason for people to take action.
34. Fly higher.
In his book The Icarus Deception: How High Will You Fly?
, Seth Godin challenges that we have been brainwashed into flying to low. That we find more comfort in being right than being real; more safety in fitting in than standing out. So don’t be afraid to think bigger or reach higher:
“Your biggest failure is the thing you dreamed of contributing but didn’t find the guts to do.”
– Seth Godin
35. Stop searching for guarantees.
The bigger the risk, the bigger the potential payoff. Push yourself past the guaranteed wins and dive into that which makes your knees knock.
36. Share just how big your vision is.
You might be surprised at how much support you get when you reveal the magnitude of your goals. Your commitment and belief in what you can accomplish will spread to others–so share your vision confidently. DON’T hide or minimize it.
37. Share your origin story.
How you got here matters to both you and your audience. Not as a blueprint on how to recreate your success (or avoid your failures), but to allow others to empathize and relate to you as a human being.
38. Dump your limiting beliefs.
It’s not time, technology or lack of experience that’s holding you back. It’s the limits you are placing on yourself that keep you from realizing your full potential. Train yourself to identify these unhelpful thoughts and strip them of their power.
39. Make a choice.
It’s better to choose the wrong path, and make some course corrections, than to never choose a direction in the first place. Decide what you want, and then start taking the steps that move you toward your goals.
Final thoughts
If you’re struggling to make progress in your writing career, know that you are not alone.
But by reminding yourself of what’s truly important in building the life you see for yourself as a writer and creative, you will be more likely to enjoy the journey, rather than just survive it.
Challenge: Have you lost sight of some of these? Which of the above “reminders” resonates most with you at this point in your career? Which ones (if any) do you feel will significantly reshape your approach to your writing career moving forward?
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Wow! My head is still spinning at all the ideas you brought up. Hate to admit it but I suffer from many if these problems but I’m fighting to maintain a consistent writing program. I love to write but until I am able to make some sales, disappointment will still be there. You just have to keep at it and let your ideas soar. I have a purpose and a vision with my writing and hopefully it will shine through and my readers will see it. Thanks for the great post. I have printed it out and will refer to it as I write for some inspiration.
Oh dear, A.J.! The goal was to help REDUCE your overwhelm – not add to it! 😉
I’m glad you enjoyed the post, and it is important to keep reminding yourself that even if your progress is slow, it’s still progress. You’re moving in the right direction, so keep at it.
Nice post, Kimberley. Hard to imagine that any struggling writer couldn’t find a couple of pain relievers on your list!
I do try to be thorough, Michael! 😉
Thanks for stopping by!
Yeah, but do you have any thoughts for those of us who are struggling to build their writing careers?
😉
This is a great one to bookmark, Kim, for when I’m feeling like I’m going nowhere fast in the mire of my own doubt. Thanks!
Ha, ha! I don’t mean to be stepping on your toes, Bobbi, but I did slide into your area of expertise a little bit with this one… Who can’t use a little psychotherapy on a Friday afternoon? 😉
Oh, Kimberley – – thank you for this great post! So on target and helpful.
You can’t have any idea how much I needed a boost right now.
Mike
Glad to be here when you needed a boost, Mike! Hope it helps encourage you through the tough spots.
These 39 points are extremely important, especially for the new author. They say it is a marathon, not a sprint and that is absolutely correct. The hardest thing to do is to follow your heart and understand your passion. Don’t let others influence you by telling you what they think you should write about. They don’t feel the burning inside you to get the story out that you do. Whether fiction or fantasy, you wouldn’t have done it if you didn’t have that burning passion to share your message and/or vision. Thanks for a great post for all writers.
Absolutely my pleasure, Peggy! There are easier career paths, so I’m convinced most of us writers don’t just want to write – we need to. Like you say, it’s a burning passion that must be shared.
Thank you for sharing. I really liked “Make a difference for a few, and they will help you make a difference for many.”
I think if we share our vision with quality products, our brand will grow.
One of the secrets to building your writer platform, Maria, is that most of the “building” is done by the people with whom your work resonates. Those few that you reach and connect with on a deeper level will happily spread your message. And the more your ideas spread, the more people you can reach!
Thanks for your comment!
I am Writing, Writing and Writing. My hands can´t stop, and there comes more and more ideas. Phu! Thanks for the wonderful 39´s. I will cary on…..and learn more and more. 2 books on this first year I try this. And I want to be better and better.
🙂
You go, Kristina!! 🙂
Some very timely reminders and encouragement from my perspective. Self belief is difficult to maintain when you seem to be surrounded by a cone of silence resulting from not listening to the demands of the marketplace.
It’s good to hear that this is coming at the right time for you, Alan. I know it’s difficult to push forward when feedback is limited, but don’t give up in yourself or your work. You’ll get there!
Kim, Did I enjoy the article? Yes, would be an understatement. I loved it. You have gone deep into the mind to uncover fears and frustrations that lurk behind a front of bravo and make-believe. Thank you for putting together fine thoughts in a simple and direct fashion. As I wrote to you before, I like your chatty style of getting to the point. God bless.
Ignatius Fernandez http://www.ignatiusfernanez.com
Awesome, Ignatius! Thanks so much for always taking the time to share your thoughts and feedback – and with such enthusiasm and kindness! I appreciate it! 🙂
Excellent advice…. I especially like the Will Smith quote and reference to Seth Godin’s new book. This has inspired me to STEP OUT!!!
Bernard Smalls, Author of I AM A Minority Millionaire!
Fantastic! Will Smith has some pretty good insights. Here’s another I like:
“Being realistic is the most common path to mediocrity.” ~ Will Smith
So go ahead, Bernard, and STEP OUT! 🙂
Love this list. There are so many myths out there in the ether. Great to know we have a myth buster who cares enough to remind us that they’re only myths and not facts. Thank you.
Thanks, Peter. I’m in the trenches with you, and I’ve fallen for more than my fair share of myths and false assumptions! It’s great to know that I’m helping other writers “bust” through, and keep pushing forward. 🙂
Thanks Kimberely, It was good to read especially 17, take care of yourself, as I ‘hit a wall’ over the weekend. I’m two months away form my first book launch and life has seemed a constant mental intensity. It was hard not to do anything to do with the book yesterday, but I did (almost.) This Monday morning I feel better slept and more driven than a long time. Taking time out to rejuvenate is not only essential, it is also productive.
So right, Ellie. Often we keep pushing ourselves, trying to be “productive” or because we feel that there is so much to do that we can’t afford to take a break.
I’m even guilty of taking “time off”, where I’m physically not working, but I still haven’t shut things down mentally. 😉
But taking time to rejuvenate is one of the best kept secrets to productivity. It’s amazing what you can do if you allow yourself time to replenish!
Best of luck on your first book launch – hope it sells like hot cakes! 🙂
Kimberley, a fantastic list. In reality it applies universally to any goal that is driven by passion as opposed to just doing a job. It brings to mind a really good training and motivation video by John Cleese where he expounds the “GOYA Principle” with reference to the great artist, only that in the context it means Get Off Your Arse and you will succeed! This equates to a bum on chair at a desk writing even if all seems bleak. Thanks for the inspiration.
Great comments, Norman! And the GOYA principle certainly sounds like it applies to the 21st Century author. 😉
Do the Work by Steven Pressfield is also a good kick-in-the-pants.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this article. You focus on the positives and not the negatives. Very inspirational! Shared & tweeted. Thank you for taking the time to share with others.
Thank YOU for taking the time to share, Christine! I’m glad you enjoyed it. 🙂
You have such a wonderful way with words, Kim. This post I have had open on my tabs since you mailed it out. I cannot find one that I like over the other, to answer your question. They are all very touching and will help me immeasurably.
Thank you for this.
And I send you wonderful wishes for your book launch! I’ll be watching for it! 😉
Thanks for all the support and kind words, Lee. I hope things are going a little smoother for you, and it’s great that you found this post so inspirational. I hope it encourages you to keep going! 🙂
I don’t have a book launch coming up (yet), but I do have a few projects I’m working on, that I will hopefully be able to share with the YWP community soon… 🙂
Thanks for stopping by!
I need to read this stuff more often. Galvanised into action now!
* Telling myself no.3
* Have done no.5
* Going to practice no.6
* Already do no.24
* Now planning on 34. Fly higher!
Many thanks Kimberly
You go, Emma!
I’m glad this post has spurred you into action, but I hope you know that you’re not the only one who needs to re-read and re-focus on this kind of stuff. I’ve written this post as much for me as for EVERY writer out there! 😉
Best of luck!
Greetings,
Thank you for sharing this! I am a beginning writer & having
the biggest issue with #10 Write, Write, Write! Do you
have any recommendations on how to help improve
my discipline? I’m setting goals & setting at least 3 days to
write. Yet, still no utilizing all my time to writing (mostly on
social media) Help!
Lanice, I’m afraid I might get struck by lightening if I try to offer advice on improving writing discipline. 😉
I struggle with making the time every single day (as I’m sure most writers do). This quote by Dorothy Parker seems to fit me the best: “I hate writing, I love having written.”
The best advice I can give on this is that it’s less about writing, and often more about other “stuff” you’re letting get in the way. And I’m not talking social media distraction, I’m talking fears, self-limitations, and having only one foot in.
Unless you go completely all in – mentally and emotionally – you will continue to struggle. You can’t “dabble” and expect to grow a successful writing career.
So decide how bad you want it, Lanice, write it down, and make sure you have reminders of your commitment everywhere. Then as Steven Pressfield says, push through the resistance.
Good luck! 🙂
I love your lists Kimberley! Always packed with great stuff.
Thanks a bunch, Juleee! How’s the new plugin working out?
Wow. You have no idea how much this post helped me. You’ve won a new fan. I’m sharing this post with every writer I know. Thank you.
Thanks so much, Julie! Super glad I could help, and happy to have you as part of our community! 🙂
Wow! I will treasure this list in my favourites. What a Gem of a post.
Ooo, thanks Nicole! Glad it resonated with you. 🙂
Hi Kimberley,
Excellent!
Wise words for anyone in any field of endeavor!
You write about living, seen through the prism of writing.
Cool!
What a fantastic compliment, Larry!
I appreciate your kind words, and I’m glad you enjoyed the post. Thanks for taking the time to stop by! 🙂
Kimberley, You totally rip out the RAD here! #12 is my fav. And the one about taking a big risk hits home right now after I just booked a booth for Book Expo America 2015. Let the good times roll!
Thanks, Christopher!
#12 is a good one; Problogger’s Darren Rowse refers to these moments as “sparks”. Here’s a link to a talk he did at World Dommination Summit a couple of years back where he refers to these particularly important moments: http://www.problogger.net/archives/2013/08/03/how-to-get-dreams-out-of-your-head-and-a-video-of-me-wearing-tights/
And enjoy every minute of your time at Book Expo America 2015!
Kimberley,
Thanks for spending the time and energy in posting this information. Lots of great advice. For me, the ones that really resonate at this point of my fledgling writing career are: Perfect isn’t likely, so start before you are ready, Don’t confuse hard with complicated, and Share your origin story. Putting them into practice this week. Thanks!
Thanks for sharing your thoughts, Michael, and best of luck on putting some of these ideas into practice!
I really needed to read this right now. Several occurrences over the past few days just about knocked me out of writing altogether. I believe if I re-read the above-listed steps, take a deep breath and press on, I may get back on track. I have to realize: No one is going to do it for me. Thanks for the tips.
Hope this post provides you with the inspiration and the motivation to get you back on track, H.L.
Best of luck!
Can I add one more to this list?
#40 Enjoy it! We write because we love to. If we are doing it for fame and wealth then we are in the wrong career. I write because I need to, it’s a compulsion and for the life of me I can’t seem to stop, no matter where I am in my career. If you love what you do then you will always do it to the best of your ability. If it’s becoming a chore, then take a step back and come at it again with the same joy you had when you first sat down at the computer and created your story.
Thanks for the post though, I thoroughly enjoyed it 🙂
Perfect, Emma! The perfect sentiment to round out the list. 🙂