Achieving Success as a Writer

Not necessarily ‘the’ path, but certainly ‘a’ path

I’m sharing …

Some ways to refine your writing skills. Some ways to be happy as you do.

I promise …

A bit about satisfaction and joy. Something on one’s motivations for writing, whatever they may be. A few dollars and sense worth about money. The sketch of a road map for the future, both short term and long term. Maybe more.

I’m satisfied with my progress as a writer. That satisfaction realization is a journey and will continue to be, for as long as I write. My overall happiness as a writer rests on these pillars.

Skill progression

Motivations for writing

Recognition that writing, like all of life, is a journey, not a destination

Money — that’s in the mix somewhere too

Skill progression

Practice makes perfect. Trite but true.

To “practice makes perfect” I would add “vision,” “goals,” and “input from others.” This will make “perfect” still easier to attain.

Yes, it’s important to write often. Do it on schedule and in a way that works for you, but do it.

While engaged in the craft of writing be mindful of what you are trying to achieve, and advance toward that goal.

I’m currently trying to be pithier and funnier. Every time I write something that lends itself to working toward that goal I do. I’ve tried my hand at poetry and even extreme poetry — haiku. I’ve thought about taking a song-writing class or doing stand-up. Both terrifying to me, but sure to either kill me or move me toward saying more with less and/or doing it in a comedic way.

• No person is an island. Let others in.
• Form an online writers group.
• Read the work of many, many, many others. Notice what they do well and what they still need to work on.
• Respond to comments, even negative ones. Comment on the stories of others.
• Read with intention. Seek out lines, paragraphs, words, phrases that resonate with you. Keep a file of those items and add to it often.
• Edit your stuff, mercilessly. Don’t stop that activity once a story of yours has been published. Return to your old stories and change them up. You can do it endlessly. I’ve found everything from simple typos to gross misstatements of facts in stories I’ve published long ago … and changed them.

Always, always, always seek to improve. Be mindful of your strengths, but more importantly, never be blind to your weaknesses. Nothing good is ever written, only rewritten, and often re-rewritten.

Motivations for writing

Have some.

Think about them repeatedly and in a focused manner.

Do that while you write and while you don’t (that’ll pretty much take up all your waking — and some sleeping — hours).

My current writing propellants are: joy, community and response, with a dash of experimentation and growth thrown in for good measure.

I’ve commented about these writing drivers here …

and here …

I find joy in writing. It’s fun. When it’s not I stop. If if ever feels like work and nothing else, I’ll put it down (that day will likely never come).

I enjoy being in a community of writers.

Reader responses, of all kinds, fire my jets.

As a devotee of lifelong learning, experimentation and growth is a necessary part of what I do.

Continually ask yourself what drives you to write. This may, and probably will, shift over time. Think about it. Feel it. Use those writing drivers to bring yourself joy and satisfaction as you advance your craft.

It’s a journey

With millions of words in English and countless more in all the world’s languages layered in with an infinite array of thoughts and feelings how can one possibly reach a final writing destination?

Enjoy that journey while you’re on it and realize that your writing, like your photos and some memories will provide you a kind of afterlife. When you no longer exist, your words and your images and the recollections of you in the minds of others will extend your “life” beyond your physical existence.

That’s powerful stuff. So, enjoy the journey. Make it a good one and continue it for as long as you can, here and beyond.

Life is a journey. So is your writing life. Recognize the truth of that. Enjoy both.

Money

I won’t refuse rewards if they come my way as a result of my legit efforts, but, bottom line, I won’t and don’t write for the sole purpose of improving my financial bottom line.

I’ve always held that money should follow one’s passions — if it’s meant to be — not lead them. Pursue your passions always, and money will follow as a natural consequence, if that is what is intended.

Chasing money as a writer and as a primary reason for writing is fraught with peril. This is true for a wide variety of reasons. Whatever you earn will never seem like enough, no matter the loot pile you manage to rake in. True in writing, and in other pursuits. There’s no inherent joy or satisfaction to be gained by writing simply to make money. If you work at any ordinary job you’ll probably generate more income there than you will as a writer while expending the same amount of time and effort. And, you are HIGHLY unlikely to ever make serious life-changing, or even life-sustaining, money, consistently as a writer. So, you’ll likely be in a constant state of misery.

Try to let it all go, the cash questing as a primary driver.

Just write and publish and edit and learn and commune with others, and laugh and smile while you do it. If money is somewhere on your list of drivers so be it. If you must, gravitate toward writing stories that you think will earn you something. But perhaps do it as a venture, an adventure, an experiment, and see if it works. Keep the joy and the potential for happiness, permanent happiness, firmly rooted in your quest.

Thank you for reading. If you have thoughts to share with me I’d love to hear them. Michael Burg, MD and [email protected]