How to Stand Out as a Professional Writer

DiAnn Mills

A professional writer stands out like a shining star on a moonless night. No need to ask if the person is a professional writer because we know their status by the way they react and respond to others.


· We see the way they carry themselves.

· We hear their wisdom and insight.

· We taste their sweet way of explaining literary techniques.

· We smell the fresh scent of vitality and energy in their mannerisms.

· We feel their warmth to all levels and genres of writers.


How can we writers emulate our heroes and heroines of the writing and publishing world?


Professional Writers are Active on Social Media

They recognize readers are why we write. Writers focus on followers who are interested in what the writer has to offer. Social media isn’t an opportunity to push our books but help others.



Professional Writers are Relational

They are real people. The writer we see in public appearances is the same person in a face-to-face meeting.



Professional Writers are Sincere

They believe in helping serious writers by passing along writing tips, instruction, and encouragement.



Professional Writers Care About Their Health

These people aim high with proper nutrition, exercise, and regular medical and dental checkups—a mindset that a healthy body fuels a healthy mind.



Professional Writers Look the Part

They dress their role in public. My husband laughs at me, but I refuse to walk the half block to our mailbox without decent clothes, makeup, and my hair in a stylish manner. We never know who will see us or judge our writing based on how good or not-so-good that we look.



Professional Writers Never Stop Learning

Not a day goes by without these writers sharpening their craft, social media skills, marketing, and learning more about themselves.



Professional Writers Practice Priorities

They protect God, family, friendship responsibilities, and then writing.



Professional Writers Understand the Creative Soul

They too live in a world where creativity is how we worship and experience life. Many writers simply observe their surroundings. They feel deeply so they can express their emotions onto the written page and share them with others.



Professional Writers Write

They spend time diligently working their craft. They don’t talk about writing; they schedule when to do it.



A writing career is not for the faint-hearted. Professionalism is critical in every aspect of their lives. What other characteristics surfaced in your mind?

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.


Visit DiAnn Mills at https://diannmills.com/, https://www.facebook.com/diannmills, https://twitter.com/diannmills