DiAnn Mills @diannmills
"Expect An Adverture"
We writers are well over a
month into our 2020 writing resolutions and goals. Some may have abandoned their
dreams when their objectives seemed impossible. We writers can’t survive in the
publishing world without a consistent approach to enhancing our writing
careers.
How can we work effectively
and efficiently in our writing, social media, marketing, promotion, branding,
and all our other responsibilities? Does your “how-to” outweigh the “want-to”?
The following seven tips will
not only enhance your career but are also simple to understand and follow.
1. Organization
No matter how painful the
process, find a method to organize your business and professional life. Your
preference may be a physical calendar or journal. If this appeals to you,
color-coding entries may spark your enthusiasm to promptly track due dates, happenings,
and events entered in a timely manner. Others use an online calendar to manage
professional and personal scheduling. If organizing is difficult for you,
enlist the assistance of someone you trust.
2. Priorities
Not all of us work in the
same way. Neither do we have the same priorities regarding our faith, family, a
possible outside job(s), and our writing. Be realistic and understand the
schedule that works best. Some writers have eight hours a day to devote to
their writing career, while others may have one hour or only the weekend.
3. Balance
The writing life is not all
about sitting in front of the computer. Educating ourselves in the craft,
social media, marketing, branding, and meeting reader needs is part of our careers.
Balance the time needed to complete these vital tasks while ensuring the majority
of our time is spent on our writing craft.
4. Optimism
Sporting a positive attitude
about managing our careers means we are optimistic about finding solutions to
our problems and questions. We seek, we find, and we share what we learn to
others so they can enhance their writing careers.
5. Network
The work of a writer is
basically a solo career. That’s why so many creative people are introverts. I’m
one of them, and I’m perfectly content in my writing world. However, writers
need to crawl out of their caves and mingle with other writers, family,
friends, organizations, and even strangers! How can we write and communicate
wisely with others if we aren’t actively involved beyond our laptops? Know
what’s going on in the world; we live here.
6. Professionalism
The first requirement of a
professional writer is to think and act as a professional. This means we need
to get involved in a writing group and participate. Physical and online groups
are available to suit our individual needs. We search for the one(s) that fit
into our schedules, priorities, genre, personalities, and needs. We attend writers’ conferences to
learn and meet other professionals face-to-face. We read and re-read the how-to books, articles, and blogs. We are
proud to be writers!
7. Pray
Writers who spend time asking
God what He has purposed for our writing are happier and successful in His
plan. When we listen to wise counsel and look for His answers all around us, we
understand our writing careers are not about us but about Him.
How are you enhancing your
writing career?
DiAnn Mills is a bestselling author who believes her readers should expect an adventure. She weaves memorable characters with unpredictable plots to create action-packed, suspense-filled novels. DiAnn believes every breath of life is someone’s story, so why not capture those moments and create a thrilling adventure? Her titles have appeared on the CBA and ECPA bestseller lists; won two Christy Awards; and been finalists for the RITA, Daphne Du Maurier, Inspirational Readers’ Choice, and Carol award contests. DiAnn is a founding board member of the American Christian Fiction Writers, a member of Advanced Writers and Speakers Association, Mystery Writers of America, Sisters in Crime, and International Thriller Writers. She is the director of The Blue Ridge Mountain Christian Writers Conference, Mountainside Marketing Conference, and the Mountainside Novelist Retreat with social media specialist Edie Melson where she continues her passion of helping other writers be successful. She speaks to various groups and teaches writing workshops around the country. DiAnn has been termed a coffee snob and roasts her own coffee beans. She’s an avid reader, loves to cook, and believes her grandchildren are the smartest kids in the universe. She and her husband live in sunny Houston, Texas. DiAnn is very active online and would love to connect with readers on: Facebook, Twitter, or any of the social media platforms listed at diannmills.com 
Excellent advises. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteThank you for reading it!
DeleteThank you for affirming multi-selling authors also struggle with the "want to." Persistence wins!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Sally. Persistence - and dogged determination - keeps the writer in the game.
DeleteThank you DiAnn for sharing clear, organized, and achievable goals for writers. Several of the goals you suggested I am trying to implement in this new year. These include professionalism and prayer. You affirmed my desire to set aside time every morning to hone my writing skills and reminded me prayer is what I need to do first. Blessings to you!
ReplyDeleteSandy, I'm so pleased to have offered you something you could use. Prayer is the key or we'd all give up.
DeleteDiAnn thank you for sharing these seven steps. I have read them three times to determine the one I need the most work on. I have to admit organization came out number 1 for me. So thank you for bringing these to our attention. I think for sure I will be putting emphasis on getting myself organized.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Susan! So many writers fail to understand I'm organized but I'm a panster when it comes to writing.
DeleteGreat! I start my marketing during the book writing process. Thanks for the website!
ReplyDeleteGreat tips! Prayer is definitely the key.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Patricia - Prayer unlocks every area of our lives.
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