As I’ve taken on writing coaching clients these past few months, it’s been really interesting to talk with aspiring writers, and watch as they try to wrap their heads around the business of writing. I’ve found that most folks only need a very little help when it comes to the technical side of writing. Most of my coaching clients wind up learning a lot in two specific areas.
How the Writing Business Works
I recall, before I started writing for money, how I had this very distinct image of the professional writer. Like most people, I thought of the novelist. I pictured a cabin in the woods, overlooking a crystal clear lake, with a dedicated artist furiously banging away on her keyboard, creating the next bestseller.
It’s funny, because that image really isn’t what most writers’ lives are like. Oh, sure, there are some successful novelists who live that way. But most of the people who make their living from writing do it in a home office, at their kitchen table, or at a local coffee shop. In my case, it’s all three.
So, one of the things that happens in my coaching is that the illusory wall comes down. My clients get a chance to look behind the scenes, to see what the writing life is really like. I’ll walk them through a particular project, from start to finish. And more often than not, their reaction is one of surprise as they see that the writing business is a lot like many other small businesses.
The Characteristics of a Successful Writer
The other thing my clients often experience first-hand is a realization of what it takes to be a successful writer. They learn things about themselves, about what it would really take to make their living by writing. While working on a project together, one of my coaching clients described it this way:
Before this project, I would sit and write as my schedule allowed, and if I did not feel like producing much, I did not. This project made me realize that when there is time, there must be productivity. For me, transitioning from working a “day job” to being a productive writer is about being able to “turn on” the switch when I have the time to sit at the computer, focus on results, and produce.
And that, truly, is one of the first lessons you learn when you begin writing professionally. Back when I worked as a Network Administrator, I could blow off a Friday afternoon if I wanted to, usually with very little consequence. Today, if I blow off work time it has to be made up, and sooner rather than later. While it’s true I have more flexibility working for myself than I did when I worked for someone else, I also have to take things more seriously.
5 comments ↓
“I pictured a cabin in the woods, overlooking a crystal clear lake, with a dedicated artist furiously banging away on her keyboard, creating the next bestseller.”
I still have that exact image in my head, but now I imagine the “cabin” as part of the revising and refining process. It’s great to be alone while you perfect your piece, but I’ve come to realize that writing is impossible when I add total isolation to the mix. Writing comes from life.
It’s probably just my own experience, but I find the longer I’m alone, the less inspired I am to write anything.
Thanks for sharing your own experience.
Pamela Weirs last blog post..We Should Always Market Like There’s a Recession
My time are of paramount importance. If I’m not writing for a client, I’m writing for myself, but I never allow the minutes to get murdered. Writing is my job and I try not to slack.
Writer Dads last blog post..Meet Cindy, My Wife
Bob, that cabin in the woods image is the one I close my eyes and dream of when I need a new source of inspiration. Except the cabin is more like a split level town home with a home office to rival Donald Trump’s.
You are so right about the writing life and I know that your clients benefit greatly from your deep expertise and your caring nature. Thanks Bob for sharing the lessons here.
Karen Swims last blog post..Butterfly Wings
When I write business reviews, I always think about how my client visualize his company. For me it’s my obligation to boost his business and somehow create good impression in his company.
I think there is a slight variation here. Please correct me if I am wrong. A professional writer is not someone who writes bits and piece articles for a pay. A professional writer ( or shall we call them as ‘orginal writer’) is someone gifted and taken up writing full-time and can make a happy living by writing a few books in his life-time. A professional writer is not a commissioned writer. S/he writes whatever they feel like. Whereas, when you are commissioned for writing with a purpose by company or individual, you are a ‘commissioned writer’ ( or there may be a better phrase for this ). For example, a famous novelist with best sellers is a ‘Professional writer’. If a film studio, decides to make it into a film, they hire a few screenplay writers who does the necessary screen adaptation work without much freedom. They are ‘commissioned writers’.
As I said earlier, please correct me if I am wrong.
Leave a Comment