A Writer's Perspective

Step By Step
September 9, 2006

Being a writer is more than a casual ramble along the writing road. To succeed, you need to pursue specific goals—goals that get you writing, submitting, and networking.

Several years ago I ventured back onto the writing road after life required a few detours. Here’s a recap of my first few steps.

FIRST STEP: I joined the Christian Writers Guild
(http://www.christianwritersguild.com/).

I already had some experience and some success as a writer. The Guild provided two things: Deadlines and a mentor. I had to write because assignments were due every two weeks. Meanwhile, the mentor taught me to write better by avoiding clichés, trite endings, and confusing prose.

SECOND STEP: I attended a writers conference.

At my first conference I didn't pitch anything to an editor. Instead, I took along some completed articles and met with other successful writers. My main question was: Does this work? In a sense, I was asking, "Can I write?" It was essential to get feedback from someone who wasn't a friend or a relative—who had no reason to coddle my ego. Just as important, I also took time to pray about stepping back onto the writing road.

THIRD STEP: I joined a writers group.

Those first two actions felt like baby steps. It was time for a giant step. And so, I got involved with a weekly writers group. Once again, I had deadlines for submitting articles for critique. Other members provided much-needed feedback. (See my archived column The Eyes Have It for more reasons to be in a writers group.)

I put one foot in front of the other and progressed along the writing road. I attended more conferences and pitched more articles. Eighteen months ago, I took another giant step and pitched a book idea. My book entitled BABY CHANGES EVERTHING: Embracing and Preparing for Motherhood after 35 will be published by Revell in 2007.

But enough about me.

Where are you on the writing road? Where do you want to be? And what are you going to do to get there?

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