Becoming a Writer:
What Kind of Writer Are You?

I hear lots of people say that becoming a writer is hard.

I'm sorry. I have to laugh. Being a writer is EASY! Being a good writer
is harder.

You have so many choices when you write that your first task is going to be looking at the wide variety of careers and choosing one to fit you and your talents or desires.

So here are a few things to consider when becoming a writer.


Will That Be Fiction or Non-Fiction With Your Order?

I fell into writing fiction. Almost literally.

No, it wasn't the first thing I wrote, but it bit me early and never let go.

So, your first decision when becoming a writer is fiction, non-fiction...
or both?

I write both. I used to write more fiction than non, but in recent years, that's changed. Not because of financial need, either. But because I enjoy doing both.

Yes, novels are still first in my keep-me-sane pasttimes, but writing web pages like this one, and sharing what I've learned with others have both become important to me, too.

So, let's look at fiction, first.


Little - or Big - White Lies

You do have choices here. There are novels (of course), novellas, short stories and even poetry, which gets lumped into fiction for lack of a
better place.

Novels come in as many "shades" as colors do. Every genre has a dozen sub-genres attached to it these days, and more being "discovered" daily. But not everyone is cut out for the labor-intensive job of writing - and rewriting - novels.

Novellas are one option. Instead of being something in the neighborhood of 75,000 words or more, a novella runs nearer 17,000 to 40,000 words. That translates into 55 to 130 pages, more or less.

That's less than half of the typical novel, which tends to be 350 pages or so. (Mine tend to be closer to 400.)

Want shorter still? Try short stories. These are usually no more than ten pages, sometimes as short as one (also known as flash fiction). I can't personally say I have lots of experience there, because I never manage to write anything short that doesn't feel like a first chapter to something much longer. Oh well.

Poetry is a favorite choice for many writers, though you'll find it one of the most difficult things to sell in any quantity. But It's great for teaching you how to choose just the right word to convey your meaning in brief.

If you have financial considerations bugging you while you're choosing your venue, keep in mind you can write and sell short stories much more quickly than novels. Not that such concerns stop us diehard novelists.


The Whole Truth

Okay, let's look at non-fiction now.

Becoming a writer of the non-fiction persuasion is a lot more involved than you might think, too. Do you want to be a travel writer? A journalist?

Do you love technical stuff and want to write manuals and guides for it? How about copywriting? You can write print ads, web pages, sales brochures and much more if you want to do this type of writing.

Or maybe you want to write how to books, or other full length non-fiction.

One thing I can tell you, is non-fiction tends to pay better than fiction, unless you can write best-selling fiction.

Me, I don't care about the pay (yet), and have worked at everything from copywriting to writing full length books.

As far as non-fiction goes, I'll try whatever I enjoy most that helps others at the same time. If it makes me money, that's a bonus. (No, I'm not independently wealthy, I just don't have to have more income right this minute. If it comes in, I welcome it with open arms!)

So, if non-fiction tickles your fancy more than fiction, explore all the ways you can write it.


Making Cents With Your Obsession

You've heard me say in several places on this site how the money doesn't matter to me. I'll confess: I'd love to make mountains of money writing, but I know better than to let that lack stop me from writing anyway.

Why? You won't get anywhere if all you're after is money.

I know. That sounds like nonsense, but it's not. The harder you feel you need money (even if it's a dire need), the harder it is to MAKE it. Really.

If you change your thought patterns and feelings (and it's quite the chore, believe me!), you'll have a lot more success. You can want the money as long as you don't feel frantic about needing it. It'll come. (And you can call me crazy if you want, but I've proved it to myself a couple of times in the last twelve months, so I'm beginning to BELIEVE.)

As I said above, non-fiction pays - better, easier, faster - than fiction, usually. But if fiction is all you can stand to write, don't let the lack of
pay stop you. Write. Write some more. Let it mellow and rewrite it.
Several times.

Then look for venues to sell it, and be stubborn about trying again and again. Plenty of now-famous authors were rejected a hundred times or more before they were published.

Keep in mind you'll likely work odd hours because inspiration strikes when it's good and ready, not when you ask it to. Don't forget to write something nearly every day, but don't expect every day to hand you inspiration, either. It won't necessarily.

Just remember, becoming a writer is easy. You just write. Becoming a great one is a longer road, but definitely worth the trip.