How do I Start Writing Professionally?

For many people(myself included), writing is a passion. Though I am a relative newcomer to the scene, writing can be and has been a profitable venture.

Many people often wonder; "How can I get started as a professional writer?" By Using the tips provided below, you will be well on your way to easing into your new job as a professional writer.

Tip One: Identify your style

There are plenty of ways out there to make money writing. The first step to doing it is to identify what you want to write. Some people are excellent journalists, but lousy novelists. Some people love to write poetry, while others would rather write research papers. There are many different types of writing, and if you want to do it for the long haul, try to pick something that you think you can stay interested in. Some of you may already have that figured out and are probably wishing I would just shut the hell up. In that case, go to tip two.

Tip Two: Start Writing!

Write every day, whether you have something to write about or not. This is the oldest and most often heard piece of advice for aspiring writers, and for a reason. You may think you're hot stuff when it comes to writing, and maybe you really are, but there are thousands of people out there that are most likely just as good as you. If you want to be better than them, you have to write... a lot. It only takes a few manuscript rejections and/or marked up drafts to realize that you're not as awesome as you thought. Practice makes perfect. Actually no, that's impossible. Practice does make Very Good though.

Tip Three: Take Notes

Yes cliche, that writer sitting in the park jotting notes in his notebook about amusing passers by. Cliche? Guess what. That guy is a better writer than you! That's right.

As I said before, this stuff is all cliche for a reason. You would not believe how many times I've sat and tried to remember that great idea I had two hours ago, only to end in an epic fail. A notebook on your person at all times is a must for any writer. Whether it be to take notes about a story idea, a character, or to jot down possible interview questions for an upcoming article, the notebook(not the movie) is invaluable. You never know when an idea will strike, so you must always be ready.

Tip Four: Get Schooled

A lot of writers shoot themselves in the feet, or possibly lower calf to ankle region, by assuming that they already know everything there is to know about writing. Again, if you think this, you probably should get a tourniquet, some whiskey, a knife, and a blowtorch, because that bullet is not going to remove itself. The best and fastest way to learn about writing is, in my opinion, to buy a book. Think about it, you are trying to sell your writing, so the best way to learn is from someone that obviously has already done so.

WARNING

Do not take everything you read in books as gospel, unless the book you are reading happens to be the bible.

There is a lot of great info in books, but if some of that info clashes with your personal style, then don't use it. The trick is to find a balance. You need to take some of the info in without letting it influence your writing too much.

This was kind of a long post but believe me, there is much more that can be said about this topic. Follow these tips and you will be on your way to writing professionally.

P. S. I am not a medical doctor. If you really shoot yourself, or anyone else, in the foot, or any other part of the body, It is probably best to ignore it and pretend like nothing happened. It will probably just work itself out. Good Luck!