Getting Started as a Writer
Before I get too far into today’s post, let me congratulate David Montgomery of Crime Fiction Dossier for a wonderful match-up during Blog Madness at John Hewitt’s Writer’s Resource Center. I was tickled to have made it as far as I did, and I’d have called the match the same way John called it.
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Photo by Chris Breeze
One of the questions I get asked most often in email is, “How do I get started as a writer?” I’m often at a loss to answer this question. I mean, everyone’s situation is different, you know?
Don’t get me wrong; I know what it takes to make it as an Internet writer. If I didn’t, I couldn’t have spent the last five years doing it. I can identify the skills you need to write effectively. I can point you to some places I’ve had success making money online with my writing. And, as you know, I can talk all day long about what NOT to do. But to outline a career path would be, to a degree, disingenuous.
Why? Well, I’ve told you all how it is that *I* became an Internet writer. It was quite by accident, actually. Now, I found out very quickly what I needed to do to be good at it, to increase my business, and to make an ever increasingly comfortable living at it. But as to the question of how best to get started, I think I’m at a bit of a loss sometimes.
So, I’ll put it to you. I’m curious about your stories. Whether you write full time or not, how and when did you get into writing? Did you fall into it like I did, or was it a calculated move? Did you always want to be a writer? What would you change about those early days as a writer, or are you still in them?
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I have always been a writer. Then the Internet came along and I thought, “Wow!”
So I started writing on the Internet. I got a job writing (among other things) for a web portal. In the meantime, I started blogging too.
I have blogged about the whole deal here:
http://www.vmohanty.com/2008/04/what-has-blogging-ever-done-for-me.html
VMs last blog post..Dealing with Introverts and Extroverts
I am a baby. Not making a single penny. I have made money as a corporate writer in business communications, marketing and editing but wanted out of the corporate world. I am enjoying blogging about inspirational and motivational writing and am writing fictional writing at home on the side privately.
I would love to make money on line but frankly don’t want to write how-to’s on how to blog or how to sell cabbage or whatever…so I am reading and watching and learning. I find it all fascinating.
And yes, I have always wanted to be a writer and always have been a writer. I have always written, almost every day. I wrote my first-unpublished- novel when I was in 7th grade. Getting paid for writing has been an off and on thing.
Wendi Kellys last blog post..The Garden Gate
I started writing for the fun of it as a child who got bored in public school. It was a way to entertain myself between the time I got the subject at hand and the rest of the class finished asking questions.
I kicked around the idea of trying to write for a living in high school when it came time to begin thinking about what I was going to do with my life, but my mother thought it was the dumbest idea in the world. I listened to her and went for a degree in the sciences first off until I discovered I’m far too much of a butterfingers to work in a lab. From there, I swapped majors to English, which is the closest thing you can get to Journalism as a major where I went to college. I worked on staff at a local newspaper and did some freelancing in college. Then I moved on to a local radio station, as an assistant, and I learned how to write spot scripts.
Now, I’m staying home with my children and back to writing what I want through blogs and fiction. I even manage to get a story through the slush piles every now and again.
I held a corporate job for more than a decade. A company reorganization and an office move two cities over had me accepting a leaving package - with gratitude. Corporate jobs aren’t fun and no more commute.
I worked in horses (my second love in life) for five years and finally up and quit when the stable began slacking off on safety with little kids.
A cold winter ahead, no job, a low economy area and two kids to feed with a house to heat… I held the welfare application in hand.
Then Harry said, “Why don’t you see about writing jobs on the Internet? You write well… there must be something.”
The rest is history.
@ Vijay - Welcome! Thank you for linking to your story. It amazes me how many opportunities there are for writers on the Internet, especially when compared to traditional journalism like you discuss on your blog.
@ Wendi - Sell cabbage?!? I LOVE it. I also love your inspirational/motivational approach to blogging. Keep it up over there. What sort of fiction are you writing?
@ Tekaran Lady - Welcome! I’m glad you stopped in. Thanks for tweeting the post, too. Now that you mention it, I remember writing silly stories in Geometry because I was bored out of my mind, too. I hadn’t thought about that in a long time, honestly. I think I still have some of them in the basement, I may have to do some digging tonight. They’re always good for a laugh.
@ James - Seems like we’ve alluded to this before, but I think sometimes that you and I have led parallel lives. Minus the horses and Harry, of course.
@Bob,
OK I quess Cabbage was a bit random, but it seems if you aren’t going to teach how to blog or how to write, the next best advice is go find some random niche and go market that. I don’t want to. I am rebellious enough to want to do what I want to do.
Right now, I have two writings in the works. It wasn’t supposed to be that way, but one popped into my head right in the middle of the other. One is an Adult Fiction- woman-life changing journey type story and the other a teen story that popped into my head. I have teens right now, so it’s a current mind-set.
I believe in the write where you are at approach. So that’s where I happen to be I guess…
Wendi Kellys last blog post..The Garden Gate
I started writing for assignments and then for fun in elementary school and later edited the high school newspaper. Then I studied journalism in college, worked on newspapers and magazines, and lately landed a pleasant, good-paying job as a tech writer.
So for me, it’s been a calculated move. But it’s not because writing is the only thing I love — far from it. I’m equally fascinated by science, math, physics, IT topics, knitting and other crafts, and a million other things. I just happened to be good at writing early on, and I wanted to do something I enjoyed as a career.
Plus, I am insatiably curious, and journalism let me ask all kinds of questions of all kinds of people for years. :o)
I’ll be interested to see what kinds of writing career paths show up here!
@ Wendi - Like I said, I LOVED the cabbage. Here’s to hoping you finish the teen novel before your teens fly the coop!
You’re right, to some degree, about niche. There are plenty of niches, but not all of them are marketable. My Dungeons and Dragons blog, for example, has a limited amount of marketability.
On the other hand, that blog has done something else for me: I’ve got 32 people signed up to play a D&D game with me at Gen Con this year, and so many people who couldn’t get in begging to play that I’m running one, if not two, extra games.
I’m not the first one to say it: A blog is a horrible way to make money. It’s a great way to get attention, however.
@ Carolyn - Thanks for sharing, and thanks for stopping in! I’ve been enjoying your blog for a while now.
I find that writing community, especially the Internet writing community, is a lot like the I.T. field was when I entered it in the 90s. There were a lot of folks who didn’t have formal education that just enjoyed computers, and sort of fell into an I.T. career. I think that Carolyn may be the exception that makes the rule.
Calculated move on my part. I entered writing contests in high school, and submitted short stories in college while working on a degree in technical writing. When I heard about the open call from Wizards of the Coast, I knew this was another step for me.
I stumbled into Internet writing. My blog was a way to share my experience of having a novel published for the first time. Then it became a marketing tool (and an unsuccessful one) for that novel. Now I’m learning more about how to better use it for future projects from Bob and others, and I’m dabbling with sites like Helium.
Kamerons last blog post..Another EWA lesson learned
One term of teaching English and Math at a junior high school was enough to drop-kick me into a freelance writing career. The rest of the story is mere detail… with a lot of mac-and-cheese in the early years!
@ Bob
Blogs are a great way of getting attention. I don’t know about making me any more marketable as a fiction writer, but one thing my blog is beginning to do is help separate me from the other A. B. England publishing in the market today. I like Swift as much as any other English major, but I’m not planning on devoting my life solely to scholarly writing just yet. I even show up on a Google search now and again these days.
Hi Bob - I’ve always wanted to write, since I can remember first being able to. I didn’t write anything for money until the late 90’s, when I sold some pieces of non-fiction.
Then I got my own website (a free one) and sold my own travel eguide on there.
I then got dragged into other things - eg. business, although, I had many attempts at novel writing. In my businesses, I got to write sales letters, which kept me writing - even though it wasn’t the type of writing I wanted to do. And it made me money.
Now, I’m in the process of gradually winding up my business to concentrate more time on writing and I’m also hoping to move to Australia.
I hope this isn’t too long - but you did ask.
@ Kam - I hate to admit it, but I never went back into your blog archives (until today, I just started) to follow the publishing part of your story. I’d just read the book, liked it, and stumbled on your blog when I was starting my D&D blog. At any rate, thank you for sharing your experiences there (and here, of course. Any budding novelist should read your account.
@ RJL - I subbed in a junior high once. Once. Never again.
@ Tek Lady - I enjoy scholarly writing. There’s just no money in it, unless you’ve got your PhD. Unfortunately for me, they’re only allowing young folks to get those these days.
@ Cath - I never knew your story. Thanks so much for sharing. I’ve enjoyed your blog for a long time, it’s cool to see how it came into being.
Oh, and a comment on my blog can rarely be too long.
Oh, and I’ll bite. Why Australia?
In fifth grade, a friend of mine wrote and illustrated a book about a mouse that was a secret agent. Since he got time out of class to work on the book, I decided to become a writer too.
Thirty years later, his book is still in the school library. I never finished mine, but I still like ditching class to scribble.
How Not To Writes last blog post..The Long Run
Bob,
Told you I’d come back! Well, I was always good at writing. I got English awards in grade school and high school. Then decided to become an engineer to “make money” and “get a good job”.
Surprise, surprise - engineers write a lot. But I was writing for other people, stuff I wasn’t interested in writing (still am doing that full time days). Boooorrring…
Anyway, my wife and I have had an interesting few years. We lost a child, then had our first, then had triplets. My wife had thyroid cancer. I worked for a company that stopped paying me for a time. So we’ve had some really interesting experiences.
My wife’s mother always said, “your life is a book” (to her). I had told a lot of people our story (there is a *lot* more to it), and on New Year’s Day 2007 (very early, around 12:30 am after my wife had gone to bed), I started writing the story. When I write it, it is a release. I cry sometimes when I write it.
I also started writing other stuff. I liked the productivity and life change topics, so I was writing about that. Then I thought, “I should blog” and I read posts from quite a few of the people we hang out with now encouraging new people to start.
My goal is to make writing my career someday. I’ll never know if I can do it unless I try. I’m working at that right now, on the side. Slow and steady wins the race.
No matter how many times I fail, I’ll keep trying. And in the process, I intend to write some kick ass stuff and meet some great people - like you.
Sorry I haven’t dropped by for a bit - been reading you religiously though.
Good stuff today Bob.
-Brett
Brett Legrees last blog post..do something crazy.
I’ve been a writer since I got an A my excellent use of a simile in grade 2 (”Slow as a turtle”, in case you were wondering). Since then, I’ve always loved writing.
I wrote my first novel when I was 17. It’s gathering dust in a filing cabinet because I didn’t have the guts to let it go. Still don’t.
No matter which path I decided to take in life, I always came back to writing.
The ability to create is addictive.
I’m not an expert, but I think the first step to making money as a writer, is to just do it. Stop talking about becoming a writer, and just thinking about writing, and dive right in.
I’ve wasted too many years not being a writer. I don’t want to waste any more.
Bob, great topic! I’ve always been a writer but pursued a corporate career path in Healthcare. After my husband passed away, I knew that I did not want to go back to Corporate America. I researched, wrote business plans, met with SBA experts and read more books on various businesses than I can remember. After coming very close to starting a Pet Sitting business I read a book about Writing for Business. *thunk* I thought, I love to write, let’s do that…and three years later, here I am.
Karen Swims last blog post..Getting to the Starting Line - What Running Taught Me About Goals and Wants
@ HNTW - That one takes the cake. I think a lot of writers start trying to get out of the corporate world - cutting class as an adult, I suppose? Of course, I started writing in grad school. I didn’t go on for my PhD after I got my master’s… maybe writing is to blame? Hmmm…
@ Brett - thank you. Your comment reminds me why I read your blog religiously, too. You’ve got spirit, my friend. That will serve you well on your own writing journey.
@ Pamela - Get shopping that thing out to publishers. It’s time to let it go. Don’t be so selfish; the rest of us could gain quite a bit from reading it, I reckon. At any rate, you make a good case. I like the idea of “diving right in.” Writing is about taking action now.
I also like this: “I’ve wasted too many years not being a writer. I don’t want to waste any more.” There’s nothing I can add to it. Good form.
@ Karen - We were posting simultaneously, it would seem! I, for one, am glad you’re not watching someone’s Chihuahua today.
@ Bob - and thank *you*, I appreciate your words. I look to your writing for inspiration as you’ve been down a lot of the roads I am about to travel… it looks like a big challenge for sure, but that makes it all the more fun.
Brett Legrees last blog post..do something crazy.
Bob,
I appreciate this post and all that you do here to encourage writers. I’m not even in the starting out phase, more the contemplation phase. The idea of exploring internet writing has been rattling around in my head, but I keep hitting a roadblock when it comes to actually knowing how to get started. I’m going to delve into your archives and keep reading here.
Bob,
Thank you for your kind words. I’m glad I could contribute.
I’m going to take the book out of the filing cabinet and seriously consider following through. Finally.
I started out as a freelance write by accident, seems like most of us do. Anyway, I first started a blog and started writing my thoughts on it. People subscribed, networking possibilities went off the roof and of course money started trickling in from here and there. One day one my friends suggested that I should give paid writing a try. Well, I did and it has been a wonderful journey since then.
The main thing that drives me to write is - it is the perfect means to share what you have to say. You can’t find everybody to listen to your stories or your views and ideas but if you are on the web and can write effectively, there is a pretty good probability. I have been writing for a while and I love every minute of it
Ritus last blog post..Keeping You Updated
Oh, very good questions, Bob!
How/when did I get into writing? That happened at the ripe old age of 8 or 9. But paid writing happened when I was maybe 28. I didn’t quite fall into it, but it was an odd entrance - I won the Bad Writing Contest the Pittsburgh Press held. That’s sort of like saying “Yay! Hey, wait a minute…”
From the time I hit high school, I knew I was writing material. I had teachers telling me so. My mother told me so, but she should, right?
If I could change one thing about my early days, it would be to have more confidence. That’s the toughest part of writing when you’re first starting out - trusting yourself to do it. Once you start valuing your own opinion as much as others’, you’re there.
@ Brett - I’m blushing. I think you’ve got a man-crush.
@ Mary - Thank you. Please don’t hesitate to leave a comment or ask a question any time. It’s why I’m here.
@ Pamela - Very cool. Let us know how it turns out, won’t you? Count me in for one pre-order.
@ Ritu - Thanks for stopping in! It’s been neat to watch your GhostBlogging site get off the ground, I look forward to seeing what’s next.
@ Lori - That’s hilarious! What are the criteria for the Bad Writing Contest, if yo don’t mind me asking? You’re right about confidence, too. That’s why Joanna Young at Confident Writing is doing so well. It’s tough but critical to success.
@Bob - the secret’s out
seriously though have you seen the “man crush” t-shirts Tim Ferriss was selling at his blog? Awesome. I need one, I totally “man crush” Tim Ferriss.
Brett Legrees last blog post..why blogging for profit is like collecting underpants.
I so enjoy your blog Bob. I have been a lurker here for a while and this question has drawn me out!
Having been a freelance ghostwriter for the last 7 years I have now declared it time to start writing for myself, to add my name to my work. It may not sound such a big deal but for me it is.
In line with many others, I started to write at a very young age but the attitude of a violent father left me with the need to hide my written work. As I am now well into middle age I feel ashamed to make such an admission - ashamed that I have let my story affect me for so long.
Of course, the anonymity of working as a ghostwriter has played into my story beautifully.
I think the community you have built here, so quickly, is wonderful and I love to observe the Twitter banter between you and the Men with Pens. That’s always sure to raise a smile in the morning.
Thank you for your words, your advice and guidance - they have been instrumental in unlocking a part of me that I thought might have been lost for ever.
Donetta
I’m not making money from my blog yet.
My writing started as journalling and then moved on to sorting out my thoughts on a topic.
The only writing I’ve made money from was a book that a friend and I did called Living Authentically. This was to explain my approach and help start a business doing retreats. This didn’t work out but it was great to do. I hope to put it out again when I have a bit of money to throw at those people who put your book on line for you if you send them the PDF or whatever (there’s a few of them). You can read it for free at the moment at http://www.livingauthentically.org/PDF.
Evans last blog post..Finding Your Archetype for Joy
Great discussion here
I worked for a trillion dollar company for almost ten years and they treated their employees like garbage so when I went on maternity leave in 2004 I vowed to find a way not to go back. I had a year of mat leave to figure it out.
I was lucky enough that the company changed hands and the employer made a critical HR error which got me a small severance package. What I received was not anywhere near what I deserved after all they put me through but I got out and kept my promise to myself as I waddled out at 8 months pregnant never to set foot in that building again.
I always wanted to to be a writer but never thought about internet writing. I was trying to find a way to earn at home so I could stay with the baby (I had endured some daycare nightmares with my older child) and was thinking about taking a transcription course because I type at 85 wpm but knew that wouldn’t make me happy.
I stumbled onto a blog community that was like a big happy place where everyone was best friends called writingup.com and met a few freelance writers who talked on their blogs about their freelance writing careers. I decided to blog stalk a few successful writers and do everything they said. I still haven’t quite met my old corporate salary but my happiness factor is 100 times higher!
Dana Princes last blog post..Canadian English: A US and UK Hybrid
@Brett - Those shirts are awesome. I’ve got to get one.
@Donetta - Thank you for coming out of the proverbial woodwork to share your tale! It was a big deal for me, too, to do less and less ghostwriting and more of my own stuff. As to the MWP banter on Twitter - I give James all the credit there. He’s a social genius. I just come along for the ride.
Your last sentence is the reason for this blog, Donetta. I’m so glad you shared it. I genuinely want to help writers achieve their dreams. At the end of the day, that’s my one goal here. Everything else is secondary. No, not everything I write helps every Internet writer, but if I can help a couple of folks out in even the smallest way they it was worth it to me.
@ Evan - Do what you love and the money will follow. As to your book, there are plenty of self-publishing options you could look into. I don’t have a heck of a lot of experience with them, but I think some of the other folks here might.
@ Dana - Thanks for commenting. So many Internet writers’ stories start with fleeing a corporate environment, it’s a bit spooky. I love the fact that, as a small business owner, I can be flexible and take off at 2:00 on a Friday afternoon to go watch my kid’s play at school, or have a late breakfast with my wife. Yeah, it means I work on Saturday, but that’s all right.
Oh, and I like your term “blog stalk.” That’s a new one by me.
Bob,
I’m glad you liked the shirt. It comes with a complimentary invitation to Tim’s *secret Fight Club* too.
(What’s that Tyler? The first rule? Uh-oh…)
I like the new RSS button Bob. Looking sharp!
@ Brett - I’m going to have to get one, seriously.
@ John - Thanks! I’m slowly making some of the changes that you and Men with Pens have suggested. (Too bad this post wasn’t up during the last round of Blog madness, eh? My biggest comment post yet.) I’m thoroughly dedicated to my writing, to the point where I just neglect some of the asthetic and organizational issues.
@ James - Speaking of asthetics and whatnot, did you see I dropped both AdSense and Top Links? Didja? DIDJA? ARE YOU HAPPY NOW?!?
@Bob,
I made changes to my site based on the ones they suggested to you. Dropped all the clouds out of the sky. I learn from watching others.
Wendi Kellys last blog post..Having Faith
@ Bob - White space is beautiful. Now, if I can just get you to ditch Entrecard…
@ Wendi - that’s a nice safe way to do it. That’s how I picked my theme, actually.
@ James - You just like that your name as top commenter is above the fold now. Don’t tell me you didn’t notice that one
I figure it’s a good thing for me. Keeps you coming back on days I run out of true James bait out of fear that Brett will overtake you. Heck, I leave it to you to build your community AND mine.
My experience with Entrecard has actually been relatively positive. I’m getting better quality (if not quantity) hits than you describe getting for MWP, for some reason. I’m also getting a heck of a lot more incoming than outgoing.
On top of that, I like Entrecard, like StumbleUpon, for it’s intended use - finding other blogs in my niche. Jury’s still out, but it’s looking like it might be a keeper.
Banner’s next. I’m still being wishy-washy about it. I know I need to have it professionally done and won’t be able to do that until August or so, which means I’m hesitant to screw with it much for now.
@Bob,
You and I can each get a shirt, take our photos and with Photoshop we can do a post on Fight Club
I try, and try, and try, but I can’t outdo the Comment King… LOL
Brett Legrees last blog post..why blogging for profit is like collecting underpants.