Category: Writing

40 Ways to Make Money as a Writer

make money writing

When people think of someone as being a writer they often think in terms of books. Fiction, non-fiction, memoir, and scholarly books all come to mind as “writerly” pursuits. And certainly books are a noble goal and worth writing if that’s what you want to do. However, there are many more ways to make money as a writer. In fact, there are so many ways to make money writing that it’s possible to make a very good income as a writer without ever penning a single book. Here are forty ideas to get you started.

Blogging

It seems like everyone has a blog these days, but there is still room for well-crafted blogs that serve their readers with useful, unique, and timely information. If you don’t want to start your own blog, you may be able to write for someone else or sell yourself as a guest poster to several different blogs. It’s also important to remember that a lot of blogging these days is promoting yourself.

Greeting Cards

You can get paid to craft those pithy sayings inside the cards.

Magazine Articles

Print magazines aren’t dead and there are thousands of them out there for just about every interest, hobby, and demographic.

Scholarly Publishing

If you have academic credentials or want to boost your credibility within the academic community, you might look into writing for scholarly journals in your field, or publishing books with an academic press. If you don’t want to enter the market under your own name, plenty of academics need help with their articles, books, dissertations, and course materials.

E-Books/Self-Publishing

It’s easier than ever for an author to self-publish their books, either electronically or in print. The positives are that you retain control of all of the content and any income you generate is yours to keep (after taxes, of course). The negatives are that you are responsible for all of the marketing of your book, as well as any expenses incurred to publish it.

Traditional Publishing

Some consider having a book accepted by a traditional print publisher to be the “holy grail” of writing. However, you will likely have to compromise on some of your content and you will still have to do a lot of your own marketing and publicity. Your publisher may also not give you a large advance and your royalties may not match your dreams.

Textbooks

You can either write whole books (see scholarly publishing, above), or write individual sections. Many publishers hire writers on staff or on a freelance basis to write sections of textbooks.

Technical Writing

Online help, user manuals, training manuals, scientific documents, research notes, and other forms of documentation fall under the heading of “technical writing.” It can be dry, but lucrative. Experience in the field about which you are writing is often helpful, but may not be required.

Marketing Copy

Businesses have to move their products and advertise themselves. They need writers to write brochures, advertisements, catalog copy, slogans, marketing emails, and direct mail pieces.

Poetry

While not (generally) a huge money-maker, poets can publish their own collections, or publish individual poems in anthologies or magazines. Also, poets may find work in the greeting card and lyricist markets.

Contests

There are contests for almost every form of writing and many offer cash prizes. You might not be able to make a living from contests alone, but the recognition you get from winning can open up additional opportunities for you.

Teaching

Many people need to learn how to be better writers. You can teach at workshops, through community education classes and private tutoring, at corporations and corporate retreats, in job training programs, and even in prisons. It’s not true that those who can’t do teach. Many writers supplement their incomes through training and teaching programs.

Content Mills

These are companies that rely on a small army of freelancers to churn out online content that will result in huge numbers of hits for the company, thus bringing in revenue through advertising. Pay is usually dismal, creativity and lovely prose are sacrificed in favor of search engine optimization, and the clips you get from working there may or may not net you additional opportunities, as more “serious” markets sometimes look down on content mills. Only you can decide whether or not a content mill is for you.

Ghostwriting

Some people have stories to tell, but not a writerly bone in their body. You get paid to tell the story, but you will receive no byline or credit for the work. It can be lucrative, but contractual limitations may prevent you from cashing in on the work should the book become a bestseller.

Short Stories

You may be able to have several published in book form, but the larger markets for stories tend to be magazines or niche websites.

Newspaper Reporter/Columnist/Editorials

Print journalism isn’t dead, yet. There are still openings for reporters and columnists. You might have the best luck breaking in at your local paper, rather than going straight for the state or national papers.

Script Writing

Sure, everyone wants to pen a movie, but scripts are also required in television, advertising, and in the corporate world.

Write the News for TV

You can write the news bits that the newscasters will read off the TelePrompTer.

Articles for Trade Publications

Sure, the big glossy magazines are a dream market, but steady, well paying work can be found writing for trade publications. These are the magazines that cover such exciting topics like plumbing, landscaping, and fish pond management, among many others. They need content, too.

Grant Writing

Helping other people secure money can be very lucrative. There is an art to grant writing, however, and you need to learn how successful grant proposals are crafted before you can expect to succeed in this market.

Travel/Tourism/Chamber of Commerce Publications

All of those brochures in the visitor’s center, the articles in the coupon books you find in the hotel lobby, and local magazines need writers. You can also write for the glossy travel magazines, but you’ll have a better chance getting in if you’ve perfected your craft at the local level.

Newsletters

Churches, businesses, neighborhood groups, and many other organizations publish newsletters. Some keep writers on staff, but many hire freelancers or talented members of the organization.

Press Releases

When a business or government organization has something to say to the public, they don’t just blurt it out. They craft a carefully worded press release that casts them and the issue or product in the best light. If you can make anything sound wonderful, you’ll likely succeed here.

Corporate Writing

Annual reports, business plans, legal documents (if you have that background), internal newsletters, catalogs, training manuals and scripts, and presentation scripts are some examples of the writing types that businesses need. Some businesses have dedicated writers and others hire on a freelance basis.

Government Work

Legislative agendas, new laws, requests for proposals, reports, meeting notes, and distilling scientific or other research into language that can be understood by the public and elected officials are all government writing jobs. Some are hired for a specific department, others work state or countywide. Small towns and counties may hire freelancers to do their writing for them.

Book Doctor

Alas, someone has written a book and it’s terrible. But they won’t give up the dream of seeing it in print. You could be hired to resuscitate the book (which may mean anything from a little editing to a full blown do-over or ghostwriter gig). You may also help the author find an agent or publisher, or help with their self-publishing plan. You’ll have the satisfaction of seeing the project live on, but you won’t get the joy of a byline.

Children’s Markets

Kids have more of a place in the world today than they used to. There are many magazines for children and teens, as well as a booming Young Adult market for books. Many corporations also hire people to write marketing and advertising copy that appeals to teens and kids. Writers are needed for kid’s TV programs, educational books, and games, as well.

Video Game Writer

Sure, the programmers make the characters appear on the screen, but it’s often writers who put together the story lines and dialogue for those games. They also write the manuals.

Resume Writer

You can help job candidates stand out by crafting a well-written resume that presents their skills in a readable, professional format.

Speaking

If your writing has qualified you as an expert on anything, you can turn that into extra income by giving talks or seminars about your areas of expertise.

Eulogies and Obituaries

It sounds morbid, but people will pay to make sure their loved one, corporate chief, or political ally gets a proper send off.

Humor

Joke books, humorous memoirs, funny advice books, captions for cartoons, funny bumper stickers, scripts for comedians, and poster captions are writing types where a good sense of humor is required. All of those things you see around town that make you chuckle were written by someone.

Editing and Proofreading

While not “writing” per se, this can be a great way to earn a little extra on the side.

Lyricist

If you have a musical bent, you can write for musicians and corporations. Sometimes they have no trouble getting the notes right, but they can’t write a decent lyric or jingle.

Web Copy

Sometimes this is synonymous with marketing copy or blogging, but there are people and companies who need writers to write the various sections of their websites. Those “About Us,” “Corporate History,” “Employee Profile,” and product pages get written by someone.

Reviewer

Books, movies, and products all get reviewed on websites, in magazines, and on TV shows. If you have a knack for criticism, you can make a living as a reviewer.

Domain Name Writer

People will pay you to come up with a great domain name. It’s not as easy as it sounds since, at this point, all of the common names have been snatched up.

Translator

If you’re fluent in another language, you can make a living translating books and articles. It may not be writing your own stuff, but often some editing and rewriting is required to make the translation read correctly.

Speech Writer

Many business people, politicians, and activists don’t write their own speeches. A gifted orator is not necessarily a gifted writer and vice-versa.

Online Articles

If you don’t want to work for a content mill, a blog, or the Internet site of a print magazine, there are still plenty of places online that need content. There are some web-only “magazines” that cover a variety of issues, and there are plenty of niche sites. Some businesses also post articles related to what they do or sell.

Social Media Writer

There are businesses that are (or need to be) on social media, but have no clue how to go about it or what to say. They need someone who can write Tweets that make sense, or Facebook postings that attract potential clients. This might be the province of someone in marketing, but some businesses have created dedicated social medial jobs, or you might be able to offer yourself up as a freelancer.

Writing skills are valuable. Everything you see around you that has words on it was written by someone. That means that whatever you’re looking at could be a potential market for you. The good news is that while some markets require a large number of clips or a solid portfolio of work, many are open to beginners. Especially local, community publications and organizations. They may not pay much, but you can get in, build up your reputation, and network your way to higher paying opportunities. If you can write well, doors will open.

Even better, you can do several types of writing at once. You can be both a technical writer and a marketing writer, if you want. That way, if one market temporarily slows down, you have others to fall back on. The more types of writing you can offer clients, the higher your income is likely to go.

And here’s a final piece of advice: Don’t get hung up on the idea that you’re not a writer if you haven’t published a book. I used to hem and haw whenever someone asked me, “What do you do?” because I didn’t want to say, “I’m a writer.” It seemed as though I couldn’t claim that title if I hadn’t written a book. Fortunately, I got over it. I write many different types of articles and manuals. I put my rear end in the chair every day and write something for someone. And I get paid for it. If that doesn’t make me a writer, I don’t know what does. So now, when someone asks, “What do you do?” I proudly say, “I’m a writer.”

(Photo courtesy of Tony Hall)

22 Great Reasons to Write

great reasons to write

We all have our reasons for writing, but a surprisingly large number of us have probably never articulated them to ourselves. Being a writer isn’t quite like growing up wanting to be an astronaut or a doctor, for example. “I want to go to space,” or “I want to help sick people,” (or “I like mucking around in blood and guts,”) are clear reasons for choosing those occupations. Even, “I want to make a boatload of money,” is a clear reason for choosing something like medicine or law.

But being a writer is different. We may have always felt an affinity for words and reading, but a fair number of us sort of stumbled into writing as an occupation. That’s how I ended up as a writer. One job led to another and then another and before I knew it, I was a writer. I never clearly set out on that path and I never really considered my reasons for gravitating toward this occupation. Obviously if I’d hated it I could have quit, so on some level I was enjoying it. And that may be the only reason I need. But there are so many other reasons to write (or not).

You certainly don’t have to know why you write, but knowing why you want to do this can make it easier to find work, to choose a specialty for your work, to find inspiration, and to know when it may be time to walk away, either from the occupation as a whole or from certain jobs/projects (i.e., if you’ve achieved the goal you set out to achieve and you’re no longer enjoying the work, knowing that can make it easier to say, “Enough.”)

Enjoyment

This is obvious. Some people write simply because they enjoy it. They like putting words on paper, creating stories, or informing people. Enjoyment can keep you motivated even if your writing doesn’t generate an income.

To influence people or change the world

Many writers hope to change government policies, raise awareness about issues, or to influence people to consider their point of view on a subject. The ability to change people’s minds about issues and to bring lesser-known issues to people’s attention is a powerful motivator.

Because you love a topic

If you have a passion for a certain topic, writing about it can be a great way to pursue and share that passion. Writing gives you a chance to learn about the topic, to interview people who are experts, and to bring awareness to the topic you love.

Money

Stop laughing. It’s true that forms such as poetry and fiction (unless your name is Patterson or Grisham) don’t generally make a lot of money. But commercial forms of writing (marketing, technical writing, speech writing, etc.) can be very lucrative. Self-publishing can also lead to a respectable income.

To heal

Some people write to heal themselves or others. Maybe you’re dealing with grief and you want to sort out your own feelings or help others to deal with their own. Perhaps you want to bring hope to people with chronic illnesses or conditions, or you have an inspirational story to share that will help others heal their hurts and illnesses.

To help others

Helping others can take many forms. Some writers feel compelled to help by bringing awareness to an issue, by educating others about a topic, or by helping other people deal with emotions or situations.

To leave a legacy

Many writers want to create something that will live on after they are dead. Very few things are as enduring as a book on a shelf or a scrapbook full of magazine articles.

You’re good at it

Many people do things that they are good at, even if they don’t love it. Writing is a skill and if you’re competent there’s nothing wrong with monetizing that skill, even if it’s not your passion.

To use your creativity

It’s fun to sit at the blank screen or page and fill it. When the day is through, you’ve gotten the satisfaction of having made something. You’ve created something from nothing. You’ve used your creativity to fill that page.

To give something to your kids

Some writers write for their children. They write stories for them. They write textbooks that fill a perceived void in the child’s educational curriculum. They write non-fiction about causes and issues that affect their children. However they do it, they’re giving something to their kids.

To use your brain

Writing is a great way to exercise your brain. It’s creative. Research gives you a chance to analyze data and information. Even the act of writing uses your motor skills. Writing can help stave off cognitive impairment as you age or keep your brain active if your “real job” is mind numbing.

Recognition/respect

Being a writer conveys a certain amount of respect, particularly if you’re published. Having a publisher agree to put out your book is a form of validation and forevermore you can tell people that you are a published author.

To boost your visibility/credibility in your chosen field

There’s a reason why academics and researchers must publish, even if their primary job is something else. Doing so boosts their visibility and credibility in their field. This applies to almost every field. Writing about your field in magazines, books, and on the web makes you an expert (or at least people think you are).

You can set your own schedule and wear what you want to work

If you work for yourself, writing is an occupation that generally lets you set your own schedule and work in your PJ’s if you want to. Sure, you may have to agree to some meetings, do some research at the library, or show up for interviews, but your time is largely your own which is perfect for introverts and those who dream of no longer working for a boss.

Fame

While few writers achieve the name recognition of James Patterson, J.K. Rowling, or Nora Roberts, many dream of it. Many writers dream of the day when their books are made into movies and the subsequent red carpet premieres, interviews in major magazines, and having Oprah pick their book for her book club.

You crave solitude

This is one of the things that attracted me to writing. I’m a huge introvert and I hate anything to do with “teamwork.” Writing is often a solitary occupation which suits us introverts fine.

To answer a calling

Some people feel, “called” to write. Whether it’s to write about a global issue, to preach their religion, or to churn out a novel that changes peoples lives, a calling can be a powerful motivator.

Revenge

If you write fiction, there’s nothing more fun than naming a character after a boss or bully and then killing them off or torturing them so badly that they beg for death. It’s a legal form of revenge. And in the case of non-fiction, there’s some truth to the saying that a life well lived is the best revenge. If your writing is meaningful to you and others or if you become famous, it’s a subtle way of sticking it to those who tried to hold you down.

Because someone else said you should

Maybe writing isn’t really your thing but your parents or teachers always wanted to see you as a writer. It’s not my first choice reason for becoming a writer, but many people choose occupations to please others.

It can lead to interesting opportunities

Writers, more than any other occupation I know, have some of the most interesting opportunities drop into their laps. Travel writers get asked to visit new and exciting destinations. Technical writers are sometimes asked to play un-released games or test software. Reviewers get great books to read. Writers who are experts in their field get asked to appear at conferences and conventions and maybe give a speech. Some get to meet cool fans, are asked to ghostwrite something interesting, or are asked to contribute to larger works like anthologies.

To educate

Many writers hope to educate others. Non-fiction is a great way to teach others how to do things, but fiction can also teach, albeit in a more subtle way.

You can’t do anything else

Many writers just can’t do anything else. Writing is the only thing they want to do, or which they are good at. Even if they never make any money, it’s still the only thing they want to do. While this leads to starving artists, it’s also a powerful reason for writing.

If you’re unclear about why you write, take some time and figure it out. Knowing why you write will make many aspects of your writing life much easier and rewarding.

(Photo courtesy of Pedro Ribeiro Simoes)

Become a Better Writer: Preserve and Improve Your Reading Skills

Read more

It’s no secret that reading and writing go hand in hand. Most successful writers are avid readers. We learn our craft by reading and dissecting the works of others. We take inspiration from them and we learn from their failures. But our reading skills may not be what they once were. New research shows that the Internet, with all of its links, short paragraphs, and volumes of information may be changing the way we read and the way our brains process information. And not for the better.

Many people now report problems reading more challenging works, or concentrating on a book for a sustained period of time. Even easier works are getting skimmed and major plot points and facts are being missed. We’re becoming so used to skimming for key words and hopping from a link to a video to an image that we’re losing our ability to process information in a deep and meaningful way.

This presents a problem for writers. Since our ability to write is so closely tied to our reading skills, deteriorating reading skills equal deteriorating writing skills. Think about it: If you can’t read a challenging work, or concentrate long enough to read anything longer than a grocery list, what makes you think you can write anything that’s lengthy or challenging? What makes you think you can edit your book if you can’t concentrate or stop skimming long enough to make sense of what you’ve written and detect the flaws in it?

Deteriorating reading skills might not be a problem if you’re writing for the web and you can get away with always writing small bits of information and editing tiny chunks, but it’s a problem if you’re writing novels, non-fiction books or long manuals. To write well, we writers need to actively preserve and improve our reading skills. If you find yourself struggling, here are some ideas to sharpen and protect your ability to read deeply.

Read without distractions

Don’t read with the TV on or your cell phone beeping next to you. Turn it all off and just read. If you’re looking up and down at the TV every five minutes or checking your messages, you’re simply further fragmenting your attention span. Find a quiet place, turn off the distractions and just read.

Read more challenging works

It’s easy to get complacent about your reading skills. If you’re only reading easy, fluffy works, it’s easy to think that everything is fine. And then you pull out that scientific book or literary novel. Then you see that your reading isn’t what it once was. Take the time to read something more challenging for you. It may be something outside of your field, or something that’s above the level at which you usually read. These books will force you to bring your best reading skills and practice those that are weakening.

Take it offline once in a while

The Internet makes it easy to research a topic very quickly. But to preserve your ability to make sense of information you need to take it offline once in a while. Check out some actual books about your topic and study them. Not only will you be improving your reading skills, you might find that you end up with higher quality research and a better understanding of the topic when you engage deeply with the material instead of just hitting the high points. This understanding will translate on the page in the form of higher quality work.

Observe yourself

If you find yourself skimming a work, stop, go back to where your concentration faltered, and begin again. Become aware of when your reading turns to skimming, or when you find yourself thinking about what to make for dinner while you’re simply scanning a work. Turn your full attention back to the work.

Take breaks

Reading deeply is like exercise. It’s easy once you’ve gotten in shape but it’s hard and sometimes painful if that muscle isn’t up to it yet. Pace yourself and take breaks if you need to. Fifteen minutes of total concentration is better than an hour of frustration, frequent skimming, and telling yourself that it’s almost over. If you need a break, take one. You’ll be able to engage for longer periods after you practice for a while.

Reread

After you’ve read something, particularly something that really challenges you, go back and read it again. You’ll probably be surprised to find that there are still areas that you skimmed, or pieces that you missed entirely. The more you read, the less often this will happen and the less rereading you’ll have to do, but in the beginning of training or retraining your brain, rereading can be a valuable way to improve comprehension.

Take your time

We’re so busy today that it’s hard to simply sit down and read but that’s exactly what you’ll have to do. Reading fast is not the way you improve your understanding and concentration. You have to slow down.

Take notes

You probably haven’t done this since college, unless you were researching an in-depth project. Note-taking can increase your comprehension by forcing you to slow down and identify key pieces of information.

Go deep

Read several books about the same topic. Read several of one author’s books. The more you read on one subject or study one author, the better you become at seeing connections amongst the concepts, or noticing what makes this novelist successful (or not). Flitting from author to author or subject to subject can be fun, but it can also contribute to some of the same problems that the Internet presents.

Regurgitate

When you finish reading a work, take the time to write out a summary or a review of the work. Again, this is probably something you haven’t done since your school days, but writing out what you remember from the work shows you how well you’re comprehending it. If all you can say about “Watership Down” is, “It was good. There were bunnies,” clearly you’ve got a problem. If you can describe the characters and the themes of the book and summarize the whole plot, you’re on your way.

More than ever our reading skills are not something we can take for granted. It used to be that when you finished school you were pretty well set for a meaningful reading life. You didn’t have to do much to keep your skills sharp. Simply reading for pleasure and reading the newspaper was often enough Now, though, deep reading skills are harder to maintain. The Internet is a great thing but if we’re not careful, it can actually rewire our brains in ways that are not favorable to writers who depend on reading comprehension and concentration to work. Practice your reading the same way you practice your writing. It’s the only way to ensure that your reading activities can help, not hinder, your writing efforts.

It’s Okay to be a Writing Sellout

selling out your dreams

A long time ago I had high artistic ideals. I wanted my work to change the world, to bring awareness to important issues, and to be “great.” That lasted until I was out of college. That’s when I realized that I had to eat, pay rent, and fill up my gas tank. High ideals went out the window in favor of any job that paid. And since I graduated in the middle of the 1990’s recession, the bar wasn’t all that high. I took a fair amount of advertising and marketing work, shilling useless products to people who probably didn’t need them. But I got the bills paid, even if my work wasn’t world-changing in any way.

A few years out of college, I met a former friend who was still clinging to his ideals. You can guess the state he was in. He didn’t have a job and was living with his parents. He had no social life or real work. But, dammit, his ideals were still pure. He was still cranking away on his “literary masterpiece.” In his parents’ basement. While I was far from rich, I’d managed to cobble enough money together to have my own place, a car, and a few extras. I felt superior to him in just about every way.

“You sold out,” he accused me.

“I had no choice. Work of high artistic merit doesn’t pay the bills.”

“That stuff isn’t important. Your work should change the world. Be important. Not just be some drivel on the side of a cereal box.”

“Yes, but I also need money to live. These jobs pay my bills.”

“Sellout,” he said, shaking his head.

I think I was supposed to be insulted. I wasn’t. While I don’t live for money and I don’t chase the Joneses, I’m well aware that everyone needs money to exist in this world. Earning money through legitimate work isn’t a terrible thing to do. In fact, it’s pretty darn noble. I’m sure if you’d asked my friend’s parents they would have preferred having a sellout for a son over a mooch.

There is nothing wrong with taking jobs to pay your bills. You may not be crafting life altering prose when you write that ad for weed killer, but you are earning money with your skills. You only become a “sellout” if you let that kind of work permanently derail your higher dreams. If you’re writing marketing brochures by day and working on your novel or Pulitzer winning article by night you haven’t sold out, you’ve just made a realistic decision to keep your head above water and feed yourself/your family.

You might even find that “selling out” can be a good thing. Work that gives you a credit can be a pathway to better things. You never know who will see your work and ask you to work for them. One job may lead to another until you are suddenly being paid to produce work of high artistic merit. (Incidentally, some of the greatest artists in history became famous after they sold out.) The money you earn from selling out can also be used to buy more education or better supplies which may speed you on to that ideal job. Getting yourself out there and earning money is rarely a bad thing.

The exception is that you should never take work which goes against your moral principles. Sometimes you have no choice but to work against your beliefs, as when your jerk of a boss demands that you work on a campaign for fur or be fired, even though you’re vehemently opposed to the fur trade. You may have to do it because you don’t have enough money saved to tell the jerk to shove it. (But you’ll quickly learn to save money and find a better job so that you’re not in that position again.) If you have a choice, though, don’t sell your soul. Try to find jobs that align with your beliefs, if not your definition of great writing.

And try not to take work that will impact you negatively later. Writing that script for a hard core porn movie may net you a boatload of money, but chances are someone down the road is going to frown on that one. Just try to look forward and think about how this job will be seen later when you’re applying for another job. Most employers won’t care that you took “sellout” work like advertising, low budget movies, brochures, and infomercial scripts, but they may not look so favorably upon things written for certain industries or fringe causes. (In other words, if you have to write the porn script to pay for groceries, for heaven’s sake, use a pen name.)

Artistic snobs like to call those of us who get paid for less-than-ideal jobs sellouts. But there’s nothing wrong with selling out. I’d rather be a sellout with a place to live, food to eat, and a cared-for family than a parasite living off of my parents or society. High ideals and great writing have their places and are certainly worth striving for. The reality check is that you have to pay your bills. Fortunately, we live in a world that requires a lot of words to explain (ads, manuals, web sites, easy to read books, brochures, etc.) and offers a lot of jobs for those who are willing to do the work. I’d rather work than not. I still work on my idealistic projects, but I admit that I took the money and ran a long time ago. I’m a sellout, but a sellout with a good life.

46 Ways to Promote Your Writing

promoting your book and writing

Whether your write books, articles, or keep a blog, if you want to make money you have to promote your work. Even if you are traditionally published, you’ll likely have to handle at least some of your own promotion. Publishers are cutting marketing departments and budgets and placing more responsibility on the authors themselves. (Unless you’re hugely famous or they think your book will be a huge success, in which case they will do much more for you and you can stop reading now and go take a nap.)

For everyone else, get ready to learn how to market. Just like needing to find time to write, you’re going to need to find time to market. Before you do anything else, though, you need to figure out who your ideal reader is and how you will reach them. It doesn’t help your cause if you’re promoting in all the wrong places. You have to use the media that your readers use. You have to go to the places where your readers go. So, if your ideal reader is a forty year-old religious mother, being a guest blogger on “Bikers, Women, and Drugs” (I made that up so if it really exists, sorry) isn’t likely to gain you the sort of exposure you need.

Take some time and figure out who is most likely to read your work, what they want, and how you can reach them. Then figure out what on this list will help you make those ideal readers aware of your work.

Your blog/website

Most writers need a website these days. You can post excerpts, let people know where you’ll be appearing, provide contact information, and sell books. A blog is a bonus. You can use it to keep readers updated on your work, share advice, or write about events in your field of expertise.

Speak

Non-fiction writers can speak about their topics at conferences, schools, and other gatherings. You can also speak about writing itself to writer’s groups, at libraries, or at writing conferences. When you speak, have copies of your work for sale, or at least have a handout ready listing your work and where to buy it.

Bookstore appearances

You may not be famous enough to warrant a cross-country book tour, but maybe you can appear at some local stores and sign books or do a reading.

Social media

There are so many social media sites these days that you could make a career out of doing nothing but keeping them all updated. So don’t try to do them all. Pick two or three that you like the most (and which your readers use) and stick with them. Dedicate a set amount of time each week to updating them so you don’t get caught spending more time social networking than writing.

Message boards

Find message boards that relate to your work and post helpful responses to questions. Put information about your work in your signature. Never spam a board with random links to your books, however.

Email signature

At the very least, include a link to your website and/or social networking page. You can also put information about your latest book in your email signature.

Teach

If you’re an expert on something, see if you can teach somewhere. Community college classes, seminars, and business training sessions are all options. You can also teach your writing form or genre to writer’s groups or extension classes.

Go to conferences/workshops

Plenty of glad-handing and business card swapping goes on at writing conferences. You can also go to business conferences and conferences related to your field of expertise. Hand out your business card and have some books in your trunk that you can sell if you generate any interest.

Publish

If you’ve written a book, try getting some articles published, as well. You can publish in magazines, newspapers, newsletters, or on other websites. Your credit at the end of the article will read something like, “Jane Doe is the author of ‘Title X’ and resides in Michigan with her three cats.” Readers of the article will be informed about your book (and your cats).

Appear at related events

Diana Gabaldon writes the hugely successful “Outlander” series, which begins in the Scottish Highlands during the Jacobite rebellion. She frequently appears at events such as Highland games and related fairs and festivals. Successful sci-fi and fantasy writers often go to Comic-Con. If your book or work has a theme, see if there are events that are compatible at which you can appear. You may have to start small with local events rather than shooting for Comic-Con right off the bat. Figure out where your readers go and go there.

Leverage your biography

If there’s something in your life that has affected your work (perhaps you are a cancer survivor writing about cancer treatments, or you’ve suffered the traumatic loss of a spouse and you write about surviving grief), find a way to connect the two for your readers. Perhaps you appear at or contribute to charitable events related to your work. Perhaps you speak to high school kids about bullying, if that’s your topic. Make a personal connection with your readers and the cause that inspires you.

Schedule a virtual book tour

Many authors now tour virtually rather than flying around the country. It’s cheaper and less tiring. You can appear via Skype or online chat. Bloggers may take questions in advance and then post your answers at a later date.

Give your book away for free

With the rise of ebooks, it’s now possible to give your book away for free or at a greatly reduced price for a limited time. This can get your book in the hands of people who will leave positive reviews and spread word of mouth.

If your book is free, make sure everyone knows it

There are plenty of sites on the Internet that promote free ebooks. In most cases, you don’t have to pay to be listed.

Get reviewed

Get your book into the hands of reviewers. This may mean giving away copies to bloggers, sending it to media outlets, or asking fellow authors for a brief review on their blog.

Create a book trailer

Many authors now create book trailers, similar to movie trailers, that show the highlights of the book. If you go this route, make sure it’s professionally done. A bad book trailer can be laughable and unless you’re writing humor, this isn’t what you’re going for.

Put together a soundtrack for your book

Is there music that inspired you while you wrote? Do the characters listen to certain music? Create a playlist and post it on your website. (Never post the actual songs for download. Include links to legitimate retailers where readers can buy the songs.) Readers like to listen to the music that goes with the book.

Get other authors to comment on your work

No, you might not get Stephen King to offer a blurb for your book, but you may be able to find other authors who are willing to offer comments for your book jacket or website. Be sure to return the favor if you can.

Press release

No, the New York Times might not care that you’re publishing your first book. But a local media outlet just might, particularly if your story or biography has some relevance to the local community. Create a solid press release and then get it out to media outlets that will find your story interesting and relevant to their readers.

Guest post on blogs

Find the blogs that your readers frequent and ask if you can write a guest post about the topic of interest. You won’t write about your own work, but your writing credit will read, “Jane Doe, author of XYZ.”

Invest in good cover art

It’s true that books are often judged on their covers. An easy to read cover with good artwork and pleasing graphic design sells better than one that looks cheap or like it was put together by an eighth-grader. Good cover art can be re-sized to fit and look good on everything from business cards to websites. Unless you are gifted in this area, don’t design your own cover. And don’t use cover art “generators” that allow you to select from images and fonts to put together your own cover. Too many self-published books show up with the same images on the covers and it’s confusing to readers.

Connect with readers

List your contact information on your website and in the back of your book. If readers want to ask questions, complain or comment, or schedule you for a speaking engagement, make it easy for them to do so.

Make it easy to find your previous work

If this isn’t your first book, make sure to include links or information about your previous books within the current book. You can also provide sample chapters from an earlier (or forthcoming) book to get readers interested in reading more.

Use book clubs

Submit your work to book clubs to see if they’ll feature it as their selection. You don’t have to aim for Oprah. There are plenty of local and online book clubs that might be interested. Include a discussion guide at the end of your book or as a separate document to help the club facilitate discussion.

Always have copies available

Keep copies of your book in your car so that you can give or sell one to anyone who expresses interest. If yours is an ebook, have a business card on hand with links to your website or whatever websites are selling the book. I’ve also known authors to keep USB thumb drives on hand with the book preloaded to give away. You never know when you’re going to get interest, so make sure you’re ready to capitalize on it.

Host a contest

You can not only give your book(s) away, but you can also include something else like a gift card or something related to the topic of your book. People love freebies and the chance to win something. The contest can also serve to build your email list so that you can send out newsletters or announce future releases.

Give away extras

If people buy your book by a certain date or from a certain website, or if they can provide proof of purchase, you can include freebies like an accompanying novella, “outtake” chapters, or chapters from the next book in the series. Think of it like including bonus features found on the enhanced edition of a DVD.

Cross-promote with other writers

Find other writers in your genre or field. Feature their blog posts on your website, link to their materials, and request that they do the same for you.

Leverage a collaboration

If your work is part of an anthology or was the result of a collaboration (either amongst authors or illustrators), you should all be promoting each other as much as possible.

Market the total package

If you’ve got multiple books, consider selling them as a bundle. If you write non-fiction and you have course materials, video, or audio lectures that support your content, consider bundling some or all of it together. Sell your bundle at a lower price than readers could buy the items individually and you’ll create a sense of value. Readers like to pass on word of the great deal they received.

Donate your book

Give your book to libraries, schools, clubs, shelters, or other organizations that might not be able or willing to purchase your work for themselves.

Create a Pinterest board for your book

Pin images and links that inspired your work or relate to it in some way. Maybe pin a picture of the location you used for your novel, or pictures of the clothes your characters wear. Some readers like to keep the details in their heads, but others like to see what the author saw while writing the book.

Appear in your alumni newsletter

Make sure your alumni association knows that you’re publishing a book and have them add you to the newsletter. Admit it: You always read the, “Where are they now?” section and roll your eyes at the bragging that goes on in there. You might as well get in on the bragging, too.

Host a podcast

You can post podcasts on your website. Talk about your latest work, your writing process, works coming out by your favorite authors, or anything else that you think will interest your readers. Keep it informative, speak clearly, and don’t go on for hours.

Business cards

Some people say they’re obsolete in the digital world, but business cards are still incredibly useful. They can be easily handed out at conferences, appearances, and workshops. They can be included with press releases and marketing kits. Make them easy to read and include all relevant contact information.

Comment on other blogs

Take the time to post constructive comments on other blogs and make sure to include a link back to your website or a mention of your book. But don’t comment just to make the link. “Cool post, dude!” isn’t effectively promoting your work. Make sure you have something useful to add to the conversation.

Be generous with your thanks

If someone helps you, be it a bookstore owner, blogger, or member of the media, be sure to say thank you. Send a personalized card or a thank you letter or email. These people are much more likely to continue to recommend the work of someone who was polite and thoughtful than someone who was rude and ungrateful.

Create some merchandise

It doesn’t have to be expensive stuff, but bookmarks, pencils, notepads, and other promotional items are nice to give away at appearances. If you have more funds, you can create more expensive items which are relevant to your book and something that your readers will find useful or fun. These can be the basis of contests and giveaways, and you can include them with book purchases or sell them in their own right.

Try consigning your book

If a bookstore won’t buy your book, see if you can consign it with them. If it sells, they split the profits with you. If not, you take the books back and the store is out nothing. This can work with non-traditional outlets, as well. For example, if your book has a tie to a tourist location, see if you can place your book in gift shops or local museums.

Use your family, friends, and work colleagues

See if your family and friends would be willing to talk about your work with others they know, or if they might post it on their social networking profiles. You don’t want to make a big deal out of this or force anyone into doing something they don’t want to do, but a quick, “My sister just publisher her latest book!” with a link to Amazon can reach people you might not reach otherwise.

Create a YouTube channel

You can post your book trailer, instruction videos (if applicable) and videos of your appearances and interviews. You can also put together slide shows, reviews of other books, and other videos as appropriate to your reader’s interests.

Throw a launch party

See if your local bookstore will let you host a launch party for your book. You can do a reading, speak on your topic, have a contest or raffle, provide refreshments, or play games, if appropriate.

Enter contests

There are many contests and award for writers and many allow entry of previously published works. If you win or place, your work will likely be featured on the contest website and may be included in an anthology with other winners.

Approach organizations and businesses

If your book has a tie with an organization or business, see if you can interest them in buying some copies. Perhaps an animal rescue organization would like to sell or give away your book about how to foster dogs to their clients. Or maybe a large business wants your book on how to create dynamic sales presentations.

Blab

You don’t want to be annoying, but never miss a chance to talk about your book. If someone asks, “What do you do?” at a party, talk about your book. If you’re waiting to mail books at the post office and someone asks, “That looks heavy, what are you mailing?” don’t hesitate to tell them. If you won’t toot your own horn, who will?

Don’t go too far

The final piece of advice is simple. You want to promote your work, but you don’t want to anger your readers, bookstore owners, or blog hosts. It’s fine to ask for a chance to appear or contribute, but if the answer is no, don’t whine or pester. If people are kind enough to subscribe to your email list or provide their emails in your blog comments, don’t abuse it by sending them emails every day. Only send email when you have something new and relevant, not just begging emails. And provide a clear option for them to opt-out. And if someone says they’re not comfortable promoting your work (it’s not their thing or they just don’t like it), don’t force or guilt them into it. You want to promote your work, not make everyone sick of you.

Don’t try to do everything. There will always be something else you can do, or someone else who is doing more than you to promote their work. At some point, though, you have to realize that there is only so much you can do so do it well, be satisfied with it, and let it go. You could make marketing into your whole career, but you don’t want to do that. Your main job is to write and you can’t do that if you never stop promoting. Producing more work is the best way to promote your older work.

(Photo courtesy of Steven Tom)

Dealing With Negative Criticism of Your Writing

your writing sucks
It’s a fact of writing life: Sooner or later, someone is going to say something unkind or downright cruel about your work. It’s going to be in a review on Amazon or (heaven forbid) a review in a major publication. Someone in your writer’s group is going to drop the pretense of being constructive and is going to point out all the flaws in your work. The comment trail on your blog is going to be populated by nasty trolls. Or, your loudmouth brother is going to make fun of your book at the family Christmas dinner. Brace yourself because it happens to all of us.

The first impulse is to get angry and to defend your work. Check yourself before you blow up, though. Responding to negativity with negativity just creates more problems. If you shoot your mouth off to the Publisher’s Weekly reviewer, don’t expect them to ever review you again. If you engage in a battle on Amazon or on a message board, you’re going to look like a diva who can’t handle criticism. And getting into a battle with a comment trail troll is the biggest waste of time because they will hate you no matter what you do, simply because they want to hate something. You’ll never win any of these battles. You can defend your work all you want, but if they didn’t like it (or you), nothing you can say will change their mind and you’ll only look like an argumentative jackass.

So how can you deal with criticism? Here are some ideas.

Vent in private

If you have to go off on someone, do it in private. Vent to your partner, the dog, or the bare walls. Tell them all the nasty things you can’t say to the person who’s criticizing you. Get it off your chest and then let it go.

Look for the kernel of truth

Sometimes there is some truth in criticism, no matter how unkindly worded it may be. Try to find the bit of actionable truth in the critique. Are your characters weak? Your plot derivative? Your article short on facts? If there’s something useful in there, think about it and see if it’s something you can use going forward.

Try gratitude

It may seem silly to actually thank someone who is criticizing you, but not all criticism comes from meanness. Some of it comes from people who genuinely desire to help you produce better work. Try thanking them for taking the time to read your work and offer advice. You might even want to ask for more.

Remind yourself that you’re dealing with individual taste

This is perhaps the most important lesson to learn. Taste is subjective and not everyone will like everything. If someone says they hate your book, it may simply be that they didn’t care for the genre, point of view, subject matter or any of a hundred other reasons that are taste based. You don’t like everything you read, so why should you expect all of your readers to love your work?

Fix it, if you can

If the criticism stems from something like a typo or a misreported fact and your piece is online, fix it. If your work is in print you’ll have to wait for another printing to address any errors, but notify the publishers so that things can be corrected. In the meantime, you can post corrections on your website. Thank the person for pointing out your mistakes.

If it’s too late to fix it, let it go

If you can’t do anything about it right now, let it go. You can ask that mistakes be corrected in a reprint or post corrections on your site, but beyond that you have to let it go. Just try to do better the next time.

Realize that some people are just mean

Some people get their jollies from making others feel bad. You probably learned this in elementary school and it’s still true today. Writers make easy targets for those who want to pick on someone. And the more successful you are, the bigger that target becomes. The advice is the same as what your mother told you in elementary school. Ignore the bullies. Engaging them just gives them more power.

Ignore personal attacks

Simply choose to ignore personal attacks, attacks that make no sense, and attacks that have no relevance to your work. It’s one thing to criticize your work, but comments like, “You must be fat and ugly,” “You’re a dumbass,” or, “You must sit around all day just thinking of ways to suck,” have nothing to do with the work. They are the product of someone who just wants to stir things up, or who has other issues. There’s nothing constructive or productive you can take from them so let them go.

Don’t let it stop you

If every writer who received negative feedback quit writing, we’d have no books. If you see a continuous pattern of people who don’t like your work and who are saying the same things it may be time to rethink your style, genre, or overall approach, but you can use the criticism to improve. You don’t quit just because of criticism. You get better.

Don’t take it personally

If someone is legitimately criticizing your work, don’t turn it into a personal attack. Your writing is not you. If someone says your sentence structure is weak, that doesn’t mean that you are weak. If someone says your character acted like an idiot, that doesn’t mean you are an idiot. Work is work and you are you. Separate the two and respond accordingly.

Discuss it

Discussing it is not defending your work. It is not saying, “Hey, I made the choice to kill off the main character because it felt right and that was my choice to make, not yours.” Discussing criticism means asking for clarification or inviting the reviewer to expound on their critique, particularly in the case where the review or comment was brief. Then you can talk about ways to address those concerns. A true discussion can be good for both of you. You can learn from readers, and they can learn how to make their critiques more useful.

Get support

While you can try to be big about taking criticism, sometimes you just need people to tell you you’re great and loved. Talk it over with your friends or partner. Have someone who likes your work reassure you. Reread some positive reviews/comments to reassure yourself that it’s not all bad.

Put it in perspective

If you have 600 positive reviews and thirty negatives, the negatives are only five percent of the total. No matter how angry or offensive they are, they aren’t the majority, or even close. Use numbers to give you some perspective.

Criticism happens to everyone. Look at the bright side — if someone is criticizing you it means that you’ve actually put your work out there and made people think about it. If you’ve got a bunch of trolls and haters ragging on you, that may very well be a (twisted) sign of success. They don’t usually bother haranguing unsuccessful authors. That’s a lot more than many would-be writers ever achieve.

(Image courtesy of Mollye Knox)

Writer’s Block is a Myth

overcoming writer's block

I used to believe in writer’s block. On the days when I would sit at the computer or page and feel like I had nothing to say, I’d say, “Oh, I have writer’s block,” and then go off and do something else. Having this “disease” of writer’s block gave me an excuse to avoid the hard work of writing. It was a crutch, something I could point to when someone asked how the writing was going. “Oh, I have writer’s block,” I could say dramatically and sound like some sort of tortured artist who had much to say and could write great works, if only I weren’t burdened with this terrible disease.

And then I wised up to what writer’s block really is. It’s a myth, created by writers who know they should be writing but who simply don’t want to put in the work. They’d rather walk the dog, watch a movie, or play a game than write. They simply can’t admit that they don’t want to write because it’s hard work or because they simply aren’t that dedicated to the occupation. It’s easier and more face saving to invent this mythical condition that afflicts only the gifted and artistic.

In what other field do you hear of some kind of block? Outside of other artistic pursuits like painting or sculpting, you don’t. You never hear about a brain surgeon who stands in front of an open skull and says, “I can’t operate today because I have surgeon’s block.” You don’t hear about a mechanic who stands in front of an open hood and says, “You know, I have mechanic’s block and can’t do this right now.” You never see the great athlete who gets to the Olympics and says, “I can’t run today because I have runner’s block.” Nope. In almost every other occupation and pursuit people just get on with the work. They do what they have to do because it is their job, or because their dream is on the line.

If you think of writing as your job (even if it’s a hobby), you’ll never have writer’s block. You will always find something to write. If one project isn’t firing for you, you start another one or work on another existing project. If you are having trouble getting into the groove, you do some free writing until you get there. Or, you write something even if it’s horrible just to get the words flowing, knowing that everything can be fixed and that your job is to move this project forward. If you can’t think of your writing as a job to be done no matter how your delicate artistic temperament is feeling that day, then you need to find another occupation.

Writer’s block is defined as, “The condition of being unable to think of what to write or how to proceed with writing.” This should never be a problem for a writer. You should always be able to write something. Maybe it’s not perfect (or even good) and maybe it’s got nothing to do with your primary project. But each time you sit down to write, you should be able to think of something to write, or some way to proceed. If you don’t, it’s not because you have some terrible disease called writer’s block. It’s because you have one of the following afflictions:

  • Laziness
  • You don’t want to work this hard
  • You don’t want it (success, publication, money, etc.) enough
  • You don’t like writing all that much and should probably find another hobby or occupation
  • Something else is simply more important to you
  • The project you’re working on isn’t for you (too difficult, not your specialty, it’s irredeemably bad, etc.) and it’s time to ditch it and start something else.
  • Lack of confidence in your ability
  • Fear
  • Lack of ability

Whatever ails you can be solved. You can dump a bad project. You can deal with your fear. You can do the work to become a better writer. You can decide writing isn’t for you and go out and become a wrestler, instead. You don’t have a disease, you have a problem that needs to be solved. If you solve the problem and approach writing as a professional, you’ll never say, “I have writer’s block” again.

The day I began to see writing as my job, even if I wasn’t getting paid for it just yet, the writer’s block disappeared. I knew I had to work at writing, just like I would have to work at any other occupation. There is no exemption because I’m in an “artistic” field. There’s no excuse for not doing the work, short of illness or some sort of catastrophe. Just like any employer would expect me to get the work done no matter what, I now expect the same for myself. Now that I’ve adopted that attitude, I can always find something to write or some project to work on.

Writer’s block is for divas who believe that writing is some mystical gift governed by a muse who either appears for you or doesn’t. It’s an excuse used to get someone out of the hard work of becoming a better writer. It’s not for professionals who treat writing as a job to be done.

(Photo courtesy of Drew Coffman)

Simple Ways to Improve Your Writing Skills

how to improve your writing skills

No one is born a perfect writer. Everyone has to learn and improve their skills. Even after you’ve finished school, you should still work to improve your writing skills. Fortunately, there are plenty of easy and accessible ways to improve your skills. Note that I didn’t say quick. Any sort of improvement requires a time commitment. However, if you’re willing to put in the time and effort, and learn to curb procrastination, the result can be clearer, better work that attracts publishers, clients, and additional work opportunities. Here are sixteen ways you can boost your writing skills.

Take a class

There are online and offline classes. Some are free and some charge a fee. They may be offered by community colleges, extension agencies, libraries, or you may be able to audit a college course. You don’t have to go for a full degree. Identify the areas in which you need help and sign up for some instruction.

Join a writer’s group

Good writer’s groups give you constructive feedback on your work (and give you the chance to offer the same to other writers). They can point out mistakes and things that aren’t clear, as well as help with structural issues.

Find a mentor

If you can find another writer who is willing to act as your mentor, this can be a valuable relationship. He or she can offer suggestions for your work and help you through the publication process.

Practice

This is the best way to improve your writing. All artists get better with practice. With every new work, work to address the things that gave you problems the last time. The more you write, the faster you’ll improve and the more you’ll grow as a writer.

Master revision and editing

The freedom of writing first drafts is fun but the work isn’t finished until it’s been revised and polished. You cannot be a good writer unless you master revision and learn how to edit your work.

Read your work out loud

When you read aloud you see mistakes that your eyes just glanced over. You also hear if your dialogue sounds real or stilted, or if your work flows smoothly from sentence to sentence and topic to topic.

Learn the rules

Some writers claim that their work is “groundbreaking” and that they don’t have to follow the rules, much less bother to learn them. The most successful rule breakers are the writers who first learned the rules and then learned how to break them for effect. They aren’t ignorant of the rules and their knowledge makes them stronger writers, even when it seems like they threw all the rules out the window. Consciously breaking the rules is different from not knowing them.

Read

Reading exposes you to different styles of writing and lets you see how a good writer constructs their work. You’ll also benefit from reading bad writing. (Plus it gives you that, “I can do better than this,” boost.)

Don’t rely on your spelling/grammar checker

These are helpful tools, but they aren’t always right. A spellchecker won’t tell you if you’ve used the word correctly, only that you’ve spelled it correctly. A grammar checker may be too overzealous, leading to constructions that might be technically correct but which ruin the tone of your work. Or it might miss something altogether. Use an old-fashioned dictionary and thesaurus and learn how to edit your own work.

Rewrite old work

Take an old piece and rewrite it. Not only is this practice, it gives you the chance to see how you’ve improved since you first wrote the piece.

Rewrite the work of other writers

You don’t want to do this for publication because you’re teetering close to plagiarism. However, rewriting good work lets you deconstruct the sentences and construction so you can better see how it all works together. You can also experiment with forms (turning prose into poetry, for example), or turn a tragedy into a comedy. It’s also good writing practice.

Attend a writer’s conference/workshop/retreat

Conferences, workshops, and retreats can offer seminars, quiet time for writing, critique groups, or classes. When looking for events to attend, look closely at which ones will offer you the most benefit before you spend your money.

Outline

You don’t have to outline like you did in school with Roman numerals and headings, but it can be helpful to organize your thoughts before you begin to write. This may be as simple as writing, “This happens, then this, then that,” on a sheet of paper, or you might want to write some scenes or topics on index cards and fit them in the correct order before you begin. A little organization before you begin can lead to a cleaner draft and a story that makes more sense.

Invest in your writing

There are plenty of free resources to help you improve your skills, but at some point you’re likely going to have to be willing to put forth some money. Good reference books, conference fees, and tuition all require money. Set aside some savings and invest in your work when necessary.

Expand your vocabulary

Take the time to improve your vocabulary. The more words you know, the more tools you have to work with. Look up a new word every day or use a “Word a Day” calendar or screensaver. If you run into a word you don’t know while you’re reading, or if a speaker uses a word you don’t know, look it up.

Be informed

The more informed you are about your industry, world events, or writing in general, the more choices you have about what to write and how to write it. This will keep you from writing the same things over and over again. You’ll also be able to write more authoritatively.

Improvement is always possible. Even if you think you can’t get better, you can. To get the most “bang for your buck,” identify which areas of your writing are giving you the most trouble and look for resources that will help you correct them.

(Photo courtesy of Prashanth dotcompals)

27 Ways to Beat Writer’s Procrastination

stop procrastinating writers

Procrastination can be a problem for many writers. For some, it can become a habit that’s hard to break and which has the potential to derail your writing career. It’s not that you don’t need/want to work, but you keep coming up with a thousand other things that either have to be done right now, or which seem like a better alternative than writing. They may also simply be excuses. Then, before you know it, the day is over and you haven’t written a word.

String enough of these days together and you start to find yourself locked in a vicious cycle. You know you should be writing but you’re not, that makes you depressed or angry so you don’t want to write, so you go find something else to do like watch bad reality TV and eat chips. Maybe you miss a few deadlines due to your procrastination and either lose some work or end up rushing to finish something, which makes you feel even more tired and frustrated. The cycle repeats until you give up, decide it’s not meant to be, and go to work at the Zippy Mart.

I exaggerate, of course. (well, sort of). The good news is that (in the absence of a true mental illness) procrastination can usually be cured by honing your awareness of the problem, using your common sense, and employing good time management skills. Here are twenty-seven ideas to help you overcome your procrastination habit.

Don’t wait for the muse

Many writers say things like, “I’m not inspired just now,” or, “When the muse strikes, I’ll really put in the effort.” Newsflash: The muse is a fairy tale. Rarely does inspiration come out of nowhere. Usually it’s the result of some work on your part, like doing some freewriting, buckling down and researching your next article, or drafting something that you know is crap but which you intend to rework later. If you wait for the muse, you could be waiting forever. Just sit down and start working on something. Anything. That will get the creative juices flowing and lead to more inspiration.

Don’t wait for perfect conditions

“I’ll write when the kids are quiet.” “I’ll write when [insert crisis] is over.” “I’ll write when I’m retired.” “I’ll write once I get my office renovated.” Any of this sound familiar? If so, you could be guilty of waiting for ideal conditions in which to write. However, ideal conditions almost never happen. There’s always something going on, something going wrong, something (or someone) annoying you, and demands on your time. That’s life. If you want to make writing a priority in your life then you can’t wait for perfect conditions. You just have to deal with whatever else is going on and write, too. You do this for other things you’ve identified as priorities in your life, so why not writing?

Set a timer

Buy an egg timer, use your cell phone’s timer function, or set the timer on your stove. Set the timer for the minimum amount of time you’re willing to commit to writing right now. It may be fifteen minutes, thirty minutes, or an hour. Then put your butt in the chair and write until the timer goes off. If you’re into it by then (which you probably will be), keep going. If you really want to quit you can do so, secure in the knowledge that you did something semi-productive today.

Set a goal

If you don’t like writing with a timer, try a page or word count goal instead. If you need to focus on research, set a goal to call one source, or look up three facts. Once the goal is met, you can quit if you wish or keep going.

Keep an appointment

Some people work better when they have the formality of an appointment to keep. If that’s you, note in your calendar that you will be writing from 7 PM – 9 PM (for example) and then keep that appointment with yourself.

Become an “X” Man (or Woman)

Every day that you write and do the work you’re supposed to do, make an “X” (or smiley face, or star, etc.) on your calendar. After a while, you have a lovely string of X’s. You’re less tempted to skip a day at that point because it stinks to mess up such a pretty string of success.

Make it a habit

The point of numbers three through six, above, is to help make writing a habit. Research consistently shows that once something is a habit, you do it with little effort or angst. You simply do what you need to do and rarely do you skip it. You don’t spend an hour trying to decide whether you should shower or brush your teeth today, or decide to do something else instead of showering (I hope) because you just can’t bring yourself to turn on the water. You just do it. Make writing the same kind of habit.

Develop a ritual

Sometimes having a pre-writing ritual can help move your brain into work mode when it really wants to go take a nap. Maybe you sit down and sharpen your pencil. Maybe you freewrite for ten minutes before the “real” work begins. Maybe you get a glass of water in your favorite glass and set it on your desk before beginning work. Whatever it is, your ritual is something you do every time you get ready to write. After a while, your brain and body know that if the ritual is taking place, it’s time to get to work.

Keep multiple projects going at once

Sometimes procrastination is born out of boredom or being stuck on a project. This is why keeping multiple projects going at once can be helpful. If you become bored or stuck on your novel, for example, you can switch over and work on your short story or that article you want to pitch to your favorite magazine. If you only have one thing going, it’s a lot easier to say, “I’m stuck,” and break out the XBox.

Have someone check up on you

Accountability can do wonders for curing procrastination. Have a friend agree to call you at a certain time and ask you how much work you’ve done, or join a writer’s group that expects to see progress at each meeting. Sure, you could just lie and say, “Oh, I wrote thirty pages today,” but inside you’re going to feel like crap if you do. And if you’re honest and say, “I played video games all afternoon instead of writing,” you’re going to be ashamed. Actually working will alleviate both feelings.

Find a role model

If you have trouble getting down to work, find someone who doesn’t and make them your writing buddy. You can both go to the library or the coffee shop to work. If the other person is working diligently, chances are you won’t want to look like a slacker in comparison.

Go somewhere else

If working at home has too many ways you can procrastinate (laundry, maintenance, cleaning, etc.), go to the library. If the coffee shop is too full of friends or cool things to waste time with, stop trying to be a hipster and just go home. If you’re having trouble getting to work where you are, find a better place.

Plan tomorrow before you quit today

Write down what you need to do tomorrow, set a starting time, and note any other information to help you get started the next day. Rather than sitting at the computer wondering what to do (and then surfing Pinterest when you can’t figure it out), you’ll know what to do and can immediately get to it.

Practice and learn

Sometimes you aren’t skilled enough to tackle the project at hand and, rather than admit it, it’s easier to procrastinate. This tends to happen when you take on a project in an industry that you aren’t familiar with, or when you take on your first project of a given type. Maybe you’ve never written a training manual before but you’ve agreed to do one for your favorite client, for example. But you can learn to do almost anything. Rather than procrastinating, get to work learning about this new thing you’ve signed up for. Learn the rules and formats required, read examples of other’s work, and practice until you’ve got a feel for it.

Eliminate unnecessary tasks

Sometimes, when you have too much to do, your brain just says, “No, thanks,” and shuts down. This can lead to procrastination as you piddle around trying to figure out which thing to do first, or how you’re going to fit everything into the day. Say, “No,” to anything that isn’t essential. Delegate anything you can to someone else. Don’t take on an obligation if you know it’s going to cut into your writing time and you don’t have to do it. Schedule appointments for times other than your prime writing time. The more you can reduce the demands on your time, the more time you’ll have to write.

But beware of too much time

While it’s great to clear your calendar so you can write more, some people find that having too much time is worse than having none at all. When I first quit my job and started working from home as a full-time writer, I had a lot more time. Days stretched before me with no meetings, no set times for arrival or departure, and no commute. I could do as I chose and I often chose nothing. There’s an illusion with too much time that you can always get to it “later.” Since you’re not pressed for time, you can write anytime, right? But you often don’t. I overcame it using many of the strategies listed here, but I learned that having too much time can be as bad as being stretched to the limit.

Get organized and stay that way

It’s easy to procrastinate by filing, cleaning up the desk, or putting away reference materials. But this is just another way to avoid the work. If your desk is a mess, dedicate a day to cleaning it up, devising a workable filing system, and making sure that everything you need is easy to hand. Then keep it that way. Now you have no excuse for not writing because everything is in its place and easy to find.

Get over perfectionism

The thought that you have to be perfect can freeze you where you stand. If you can’t be perfect, you think, why bother? It’s easier to go clean the house or trawl Facebook than to write crap. Nobody’s perfect. Let it go and just do the best you can on any given day. If the day’s work is bad you can always fix it later, but get at least something down on the paper.

Break the project down

Rather than tackling a project all at once (which can seem overwhelming and lead to procrastination), break it down into smaller chunks. Focus on outlining just one chapter, for example, or writing one section of a book proposal.

Deal with fear

Sometimes fear masquerades as procrastination. It’s not that you don’t want to write, it’s that you’re afraid to write. You’re afraid of rejection, of failure, of what your friends or family will think, or even of success (it happens). If you admit your fear and deal with it, the procrastination may go away.

Turn off/ignore all distractions

You know how it goes. You answer the phone, only to be caught talking to your mother for an hour. Instead of saying, “I’ll call you back in two hours,” you actually think, “Thank goodness. Now I don’t have to work.” You let the distraction lead you down the path of procrastination. To prevent this, turn off the phone, get some noise canceling headphones, refuse to answer the door, etc. Also, if you can, turn off your Internet while you’re working. It’s one of the biggest, easiest distractions, so if you can make it harder to get online, you’ll eliminate at least one avenue of procrastination.

Learn to manage your time better

Time management is a skill that can be learned. When you’re bad at managing time it gets away from you, or you spend too much time on the unimportant things and not enough on what you really wanted to do. Procrastination can be a form (or symptom) of poor time management skills. There are books and classes on the subject if you need to improve your skill.

Find the motivation

If a project isn’t due for months, or it’s a big project like a book, it’s hard to find motivation day in and day out. The end is nowhere in sight and your motivation to work has left the building. You have to find something that motivates you to work. Maybe it’s the thought that you could finish early and impress your client. Maybe if you finish early you’ll get paid sooner. Maybe if you finish early (and you really don’t like this project) you can move on to something else. Maybe you can take satisfaction in the work itself, even if it doesn’t seem to be getting you anywhere. Ask yourself, “Why am I doing this?” and figure out how to keep your motivation high.

Keep moving

Ever notice that if you go a few days without writing it gets easier not to write? This is because projects build momentum and when you interrupt that momentum, it’s harder to get it restarted. It’s easier to say, “What’s one more day?” If you keep writing, though, you keep your momentum going and it becomes harder to stop writing than it is to start. (The same is true of exercise, incidentally.)

Don’t delude yourself into thinking you’re working when you’re not

Yes, you may need to research the mating habits of squirrels for your project. But you probably don’t need to spend three hours doing so and you definitely don’t need to follow links from squirrels to nuts to cute pictures of squirrels on Pinterest and then to Amazon.com to search for nuts to buy. You can’t call all this wasted time “research” because it’s not. If you need to interrupt your writing, do so quickly and then get back to it. Better yet, make a note of what you need to know and keep on writing. You can do your “research” later.

Reward yourself

If you do what you’re supposed to do on a given day (and be honest here), give yourself a small reward. It doesn’t have to be expensive. Maybe one song download from iTunes, a sticker on your calendar, or a favorite snack. Rewards may not make the task any easier, but knowing that you’ll get something fun at the end can motivate you to put your butt in the chair.

Ask yourself if you really want to be a writer

If procrastination can’t be overcome, it might be time to ask yourself if you really want to write. Maybe you are really trying to fill someone else’s expectations, or to do a job that you heard was “great” but which you don’t really want to do. It’s better to admit that writing isn’t for you than to struggle every day.

Many things can cause procrastination and discovering why you’re dragging your feet to your desk is usually the first step in overcoming the problem. If you already know why you’re procrastinating, then taking some active steps to stop it can help you get to work. Procrastination is one of those things that always seems like a good (or at least harmless) idea at the time, but which just leads to problems later on.

(Photo courtesy of Rennett Stowe)

Finding Time to Write

finding time to write

Many people complain about not having time to write. Sure, we’re all busy these days and it can be difficult to find time to do the things that are important to us. But the bottom line is that if something is important to us, it’s important enough to carve out time to pursue. Yes, that may mean giving up something else, but that’s the price to be paid. If you want to pursue one thing, you have to put it ahead of something else. Harsh, but true. This holds true whether you want to write, fly kites, or learn to make origami swans.

There are ways to find time to write (or do anything else), though, and while many of them require prioritizing writing above other things, some simply require you to be aware of your time and make better use of it. Here are some suggestions for finding the time to write (or make those origami swans).

Give up TV

Or whatever else is sucking away big chunks of your time. It could be video games, the internet, or other activities. These are all fine in moderation but you have to cut them down or out if you want to be a productive writer. TV is usually the worst offender. Do you really have to watch the news twice a day? Do you have to keep up with whatever dramas or reality shows your coworkers are watching? Do you have to watch every sporting event in its entirety? Probably not. Inventory your viewing/playing/surfing habits and cut down to the bare minimum required to keep you happy.

Give up the idea of writing in large chunks

Many people feel that they can’t write unless they can sit down for two or three hours and write uninterrupted. How nice that would be. This isn’t an option for many of us. Kids, jobs, pets, and other interruptions mean that we often can’t write for more than a few minutes at time. This isn’t an insurmountable problem. You just have to train your brain to quickly focus, write, and then be able to come back to the project when you have another chance. Practice will make this easier.

Say, “No,” often

Stop taking on so many obligations. There are some things you cannot get out of, but a good bit of what takes up our time is optional. Get comfortable saying, “No” to demands on your time.

Get up earlier

If you want an extra half hour a day, you may have to simply get up earlier so you can write while the rest of the world is asleep. While this can be difficult at the beginning, forcing your self the first few weeks will quickly turn into a habit.

Stay up later

If getting up earlier isn’t for you, you can try staying up to write after everyone else has gone to bed. Experiment with your body clock to find out if you’re more a morning or evening person.

Subject everything to the “Priority Test”

Whenever you find yourself with a decision about how to spend your time, subject your choices to the Priority Test. Ask yourself which is more important: Working on your writing, or whatever other thing it is you’re about to do. If writing is important to you, it should win out most of the time over things like social media, web surfing, TV watching, cleaning, and talking on the phone. If writing isn’t winning these battles, then you either have a serious problem with procrastination or you need to ask yourself if you really want to be a writer.

Learn to live with more dirt

We spend a lot of time cleaning, even when things don’t need to be cleaned (or can be cleaned less often). Free up time in your schedule by getting comfortable with a little more dirt. No, you don’t have to become like one of those houses on Hoarders, but see if you can get by with a bit less cleaning. Change the sheets less often. Give the counters a quick wipe down instead of a deep scrubbing every week. Let the vacuuming go for another day. Chances are that even if you clean a bit less, you still won’t end up living in complete filth.

Get rid of the little “Time Wasters”

While we’re all guilty of wasting large chunks of time on things like TV and the internet, we all also have smaller time wasters that we might not even notice. Things like constant phone calls or social media updates, errands, solicitors, and inefficient daily chores all eat up our time. There are lots of ways to streamline your daily life, however. Look at your daily routine and figure out how you can make things more efficient.

Schedule the time

If you work better when everything is scheduled down to the minute, then be sure to schedule your writing time. Make it a recurring event on your calendar. If you see it there everyday as something that has to be done, you may be less likely to blow it off.

Depend on it

When you depend on the income from your writing to pay the bills, it gets pretty darn easy to find the time to write. While I’m not saying that you should quit your day job if you have one (starvation and eviction aren’t appealing options), at least try to act like you need to get paid from your writing. Set a long term goal like a great vacation or a new car and then try to fund it with only money you make writing. “Needing” that money will suddenly make writing a priority for you.

Use those random hours

Lunch hour. Your commute on the bus. The kid is napping. You’re waiting for Junior’s basketball practice to end. Waiting at the airport for a friend to arrive. Waiting in the doctor’s office or for your car to be repaired. We all have chunks of time in our day that are kind of random. With all of the mobile technologies available (and even good old pen and paper), there’s no reason these times can’t be used to eke out a few words.

Get your family on board

Talk to your kids, spouse, or partner and explain how important writing is to you. Explain that you need their help to cut down on interruptions and deal with things around the house. You don’t have to dump everything on them, but get them to help you with daily chores, let your spouse help with transportation for the kids, and make them understand that writing time can only be interrupted for life threatening emergencies. Set expectations up front and be grateful when they help out. Your family may be more receptive to helping you if they feel like their contribution is valued.

Stop multitasking

You think you’re being productive by writing and doing something else at the same time, but really you’re doing neither task well. Studies have shown that your brain can’t really do two things at once; it only switches back and forth between activities, reducing your concentration on both activities. Multitasking is another word for half-assing your work. Instead of writing while you watch TV, cook dinner, surf the internet, or help the kids with their homework, do one or the other. If you choose writing, that time, however short it may be, will be more productive than twice the time spent trying to multitask.

Write in your head

If you find yourself with time where your mind can wander but you cannot physically write, write in your head. If you have a physical job that doesn’t require much brain power or you’re bored out of your mind at a conference, outline your stories and articles in your head. Then, when you do have time to write, you can make that time super productive because you’ve already got a draft worked out in your head.

Audit your activities

List everything that you do. Clubs, volunteer work, social obligations, church, activities at your kid’s school, your job/second job, recreational activities, etc. Now ask yourself how many of those things are sill fun, meaningful, necessary, or relevant to your life today. Drop anything that no longer holds value or interest for you. It’s surprising how many things we do just because we’ve always done them, not because they are still important or required. It may be painful to let some things go (and you may meet some resistance), but it’s for the best if they’re no longer worthwhile.

Delegate and outsource

If you have others in your family who can help with chores, delegate some activities. If there are other members of your group or club who can help organize an activity, get them working. If you have the money, pay other people to do things like lawn maintenance or housecleaning. You don’t have to do everything yourself.

The time to write is out there, you just have to take the initiative to capture it. We all have chunks of wasted time or silly obligations that we can cut out. We just have to identify them and then do the hard work of prioritizing writing over those other things.

(Photo courtesy of Toni Verdu Carbo)

>