7 Practical Steps to Becoming a Writer
If you're ready to turn your passion for writing into a full-time career, this article is for you. We’ll break down 7 actionable steps to help you kickstart your professional writing journey.
1. Create a solid writing routine?
Finding the time to write in a jam-packed schedule is the first hurdle for almost every aspiring author. Countless talented writers never make it past this obstacle, but those who do are already halfway to ‘making it’? — all you have to do is make writing a regular habit.
Here are a few tips for establishing a writing habit:
Make writing a priority. If you want to be a professional writer, set non-negotiable time in your calendar for writing and arrange your other commitments around it.?
Define your writing goals. Whether it’s a daily number of words or completing a task in a set number of days, goals help break larger projects into manageable chunks — so you’ll be less overwhelmed and more likely to knuckle down and write.
Identify your ideal writing times. Do you tend to get the most done right after waking up in the morning, or during the quiet hours of the evening? Figure out your windows of productivity and capitalize on them.??
However, no matter how watertight your writing routines are, every author can benefit from a helping hand to perform at their best and become an even better writer. Thankfully, there are some apps for that.
2. Use writing tools to improve your output?
If you want to become a full-time writer, you need to equip yourself with the right environment and the best writing tools.?
Different tools can impact your output in different ways: for example, online whiteboards like Miro can help you visually sketch out your book’s outline and character bios, and help you define the mood of your world-building. Tools like Grammarly can identify and fix typos and grammatical errors, whereas browser blockers like Cold Turkey can help to minimize distractions and stay productive.?
When it comes to using professional writing software, you could use tools like Reedsy Studio to enjoy smooth collaborative editing, keep track of your word count goals, and format your book for distribution.?
Finally, workspace tools like ergonomic chairs and standing desks can also largely influence the quality and proficiency of your writing (we also hear that houseplants can boost creativity, but don’t quote us on that).
But, before you get too comfortable in your writing nook surrounded by all your lovely tools, you may want to consider going back to class…
3. Take classes to pick up credentials
The relevance or necessity of academic credentials to become a successful writer largely depends on the type of writing job you want. While ‘novelist’ or creative writer might be what most people think of when they imagine a writing career, that's not the only way to earn your living as a professional writer. Here are a few alternative options to consider:
The options are plentiful. But if you think you’ll need academic credentials, check out our blog post for a deeper dive into different degrees and certificates you can consider.
4. Seek opportunities to publish your work
Once you’ve produced work that you’re proud of, it’s time to start seeking opportunities to publish it. Countless print and online publications eagerly accept work from budding writers. Submitting to these places will give you the opportunity to build your portfolio, and provide you with valuable experience in tailoring your writing to specific outlets.
Fiction
If you’re an aspiring fiction writer, follow the likes of Ursula K. Le Guin and Ernest Hemingway, and get your foot in the door by submitting your short stories to magazines and contests. Here are a few places where you can do just that:
To ensure your t’s and i's are all properly crossed and dotted, here is a submissions checklist that’s sure to keep you straight!
Make the process of writing your first novel easier by using a story template like this one.
Nonfiction
Nonfiction writers have ample opportunity to get their byline out in the world too. If there’s a particular niche you’re interested in, start by putting together a list of relevant publications. Most websites will have a submission section with guidelines for submitting a piece.?
Follow specific editors on Twitter to keep up with when magazines are accepting pitches. They will usually tweet when their inbox is open (and what they’re looking for in a pitch) — plus many of them are open to questions. If you don't know where to find them, look for names via magazine websites, the publication’s LinkedIn page, or simply use the Twitter search function. Editors of magazines usually tell you who they are in their Twitter bio!
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Put your pitches and deadlines in a calendar
Next, get your ‘pitching calendar’ organized by listing the outlets you want to write for, your premise for each pitch, and any deadlines to keep in mind. You might also want to make note of any feedback you receive. For instance, an outlet might let you know that your piece wasn’t right for them “at this time,” or they might clarify what they’re looking for in more specific terms.?
Here are a few resources that connect writers with publications looking for submissions:
Consider self-publishing
If you have a book idea you can’t stop thinking about (or are searching for inspiration ) and your goal is to see it materialized, then you might want to consider self-publishing. Getting your book out into the world is easier than it’s ever been, and we’ve detailed the whole process in another guide. Plus, you can do it in your own time.?
Though some traditionally published household names nab hundreds of thousands in advances, those are the outliers. Many more self-published authors make a living from their writing than their traditionally published counterparts: this report found that the number of indie authors earning five to six figures per year from book sales was much higher than the number of Big 5 authors earning the same.?
If you’re still on the fence about which publishing route to take, why not take this one-minute quiz to find out for sure which option is the most viable for you?
Once you start to get a few publications under your belt, it’s time to put them together in a nicely bundled portfolio that shows the world (and potential clients) what you’re capable of.?
5. Create a strong portfolio
Besides maintaining an active social media presence and sharing your latest pieces on platforms like Twitter and LinkedIn , your personal website is your calling card. It will ensure that when editors, agents, or publishers look you up (and they will), they can immediately find your writing portfolio — and see that you’re dedicated to your career . Here’s how to put together a portfolio that attracts clients:
Create a website
To create your own website, you must first register a domain name on services like GoDaddy or Namecheap (e.g. authorname.com ), or sign up for a free site with services like WordPress, Wix, or SquareSpace (e.g. authorname.wordpress.com ) 一 although the first option is more professional. If you're not too confident in your tech skills, consider hiring a professional web designer who can help you build a website that stands out.
Use a portfolio site
If you don’t want to spend too much time designing a website, you can always turn to a trusted portfolio site. All you need to do is create an account with them and input your personal information. Here are a few popular options:
Perfect your website
Your author website should reflect your personality, list your credentials, and most importantly — show your work.?
There are different ways to present your portfolio: you could divide your writing into different niches like Jennifer Fernandez , or you could go for a concise bio that packs a punch in terms of insight into your professional background as in Alice Driver ’s portfolio. For author websites, it’s key to give visitors a clear route to buying any books you’ve published (check Austin Kleon ’s example).?
Once your website is live, it might take a while for word of mouth to spread and for job opportunities to come your way. So, while you get the ball rolling, consider reaching out to organizations that could help you support your dream (read: paying the bills!).
6. Apply for writing grants?
Until you manage to write professionally full-time, a writing grant can help you finish those big, time-consuming projects on your hands, acting as a buffer when actual income is patchy.?
Here’s a reliable list of grants for you to peruse — some will have no stipulations regarding what the money is spent on, and others will be for specific reasons, like traveling to a writers’ retreat or conference. There are also many grants specifically intended to help marginalized communities get a leg up in the industry. Make sure you check out our video guide for some helpful advice on making a successful application.
Whether or not your career will benefit from scoring a grant, you’ll soon learn that if you want to reach new literary heights and establish yourself as a writer, you’ll need the help of other professionals in the space.
7. Collaborate with professional editors
As soon as your budget allows for it, aim to collaborate with professional editors to improve your craft, acquire industry knowledge, and land ambitious projects.?
An editor’s bread and butter is to revise your work so that it’s ready for the big stage, from spotting plot holes, improving text quality, and examining your manuscript for inconsistencies before its release. More than that, working with an editor will teach you about the ins and outs of the publishing industry — including the all-important standards and best practices of the literary world.?
Finding a good editor is always a type of collaboration worth investing in if you want to speed up your development and make a leap forward in your journey to become a professional writer.