What can I do to be a better Author?
What is life as an author really like? I look at my life and sometimes try to compare it to other authors and ask myself, am I doing this right? What can I do to be a better author?
I often wonder -
Should I be writing more?
Should I be marketing more?
Should I be reading more?
Should I be learning more?
Is there a right way to be an author I ask myself and as I reflect, I want to share my thoughts. Perhaps you have often wondered this exact same thing.
So here are my reflections -
1. All authors are different and rightly so. Yes there are some general principles to being an author but there cannot be a uniformity in the applications. Authors reserve the right to be individualistic in their approach.
2. There are so many different types of authors, writing in different genres, it won't be wise to try to be like anyone but yourself and stay true to who you are and what you write.
3. Yes, you can be inspired by other authors. You can learn from their lives, from what they have done that seems to work, especially looking to those who have achieved something you strive for, but inspire is the word, not copy.
4. I believe that all writers should be readers and read widely, it helps, it should be part of every authors lifestyle. But not in a way that is onerous or laborious, one that can be enjoyable, little and often is better than nothing at all.
5. Self Discipline - if I was going to preach about being an author, I would include this as a gospel. But it is not always easy. Are there any handy tips? Some people say it is best to write at the same time everyday, I have tried this, doesn't seem to work for me, perhaps I should try harder and this should be the crux of disciple.
6. Learn the craft - there is an art to writing, and we can and should be life long learners. We owe it to our readers to give them the best of us and not settle for mediocrity.
Although all authors are different, there are some things in which we can be the same. I am keen to learn from others, perhaps share some tips in the comments of other things we can do to be better authors.
Wife of one, mother of three.
www.amandabedzrah.com
Comments
I'm not good with discipline and tend to leave final submissions to the last minute. Today I just received a reminder that a submission is due on the 20th Nov! I do, however, find that the monthly writing of AE blogs has been a good habit to get into.
This is also good for the craft. I have a blog idea like my recent one about 'a day in the life', then I write the whole first draft, put it on the site, and edit and edit and edit until it looks totally unlike how it started.
Hope that's of some interest, from Peter