You Can Become the Writer You Always Wanted To Be

There has never been a better time.

There has never been a better time in history to be a writer than right now.

This is the time to do it, whether you’re writing fiction, nonfiction, novels, scripts, ad copy, or travel blogs. If you’ve ever dreamed of becoming a writer, today is your day.

There are more opportunities for writers than ever, fewer hindrances, and more tools at your disposal. Your success is only limited by how much work you put into it.

Let’s break down why you can start your writing career today.

Demand For Content Has Never Been Higher

Content is king.

And it’s not just online, but we’ll start with the online world.

Kindle book sales keep getting higher as readers continue to devour content–usually fiction, but also books on self-help, business, how-to’s, history, and politics. Self-publishing on Kindle or other platforms is simple and has the potential to reach audiences much more extensive than your social circle.

Websites are looking for writers. These can include review and opinion sites, news sites, travel blogs, how-to pages, fiction, and more. The list is really endless. If you have a niche subject you’re somewhat of an expert in, you can find a place to write for.

You can also write SEO content for sites covering all sorts of topics, from business to cooking to construction.

Can you write scripts? Businesses are often looking for professional writers to script video presentations. Similarly, many YouTube presenters hire writers to help with their scripts.

A lot of this work can be found on job sites like Upwork, but you can also find calls for writers on Reddit, Craigslist, Facebook, Twitter, and forum pages for various niche interests.

Looking to write for print publications? They’re looking for writers, too. Regional magazines and newspapers are excellent places to try. I write for several regional magazines in Colorado. I live in Rhode Island. I’ve been to Colorado once in my life, and I never left the airport. But I have an internet connection and a phone, so I can write regional pieces and conduct local interviews from anywhere.

Or you could write for a local publication. Or submit work to an industry publication. While much of the writing world happens online these days, there are still plenty of print publications that need good writers.

Finally, you can also write for yourself. Whether it’s a blog or a book, no one is stopping you.

This brings me to…

Fewer Gatekeepers Are Getting In Your Way

If I wanted to publish a novel or collection of stories twenty or so years ago, I’d have to find a publisher who took un-agented manuscripts. Agents usually avoided taking on new, unpublished writers. It was a weird Catch-22.

Today, I could publish it myself or seek out any number of mini or micro presses if I didn’t feel like doing the work. The downside is that many small publishers don’t have the budget for a lot of advertising. On the other hand, online is relatively inexpensive, and many small publishers will help you with the social media push.

Ebook publishing makes it even easier for you to get a book out there. A book that can appeal to a particular audience has a good chance of earning a little something each month, which, added up over a year, can end up being a pretty sum. The more ebooks you publish, the more that sum adds up to.

I have friends writing urban fantasy, erotic, and alternate history in ebook form exclusively. They are doing rather well.

It didn’t happen overnight. It took some time to build their audiences, but over a few years, they’ve managed to make writing their primary source of income.

All without agents. All without traditional publishers.

All without gatekeepers.

You Have No Shortage of Tools Available

Once upon a time, if you wanted to be a writer, you needed some ink, a quill pen, and some costly paper. If you were among the most fortunate, you might have had access to a library or a classical education to draw upon. (You were probably also a white male.)

Nowadays, tools for writing are more widely available to anyone who wants them. If you can access a computer and an Internet connection, you can be a writer. You don’t even need to own them. One of my freelance writing mentors started writing how-to articles using what was freely available in a local library.

Once you have your computer and Internet connection, your other tools are only clicks away.

A lot of word processing programs are free. And you can go pretty far with the free versions of online grammar and spell-checking software. Mobile devices make it easy to write virtually anywhere. (Half of this piece was written on an iPhone using Google Docs.)

You can join any number of online communities that allow you to interact with other writers and give each other feedback. You can also meet other writers in meatspace. In my tiny state of Rhode Island, I know of six different writing groups that meet (Covid-permitting) at libraries and coffee shops in the area. I’m sure there are many more.

And, if all else fails, pens, ink, and paper still exist.

Some Quick Tips To Help You On Your Way

If you’re new to writing, here are a few simple suggestions to keep in mind:

• Make writing a daily habit if you can. Ten minutes a day is a good start, then try to build that up over time.
• Learn the basics of grammar and punctuation.
• Learn how to write a beginning, middle, and end.
• Explore topics and ideas that are new to you.
• Be yourself.
• Stick with it. Developing your skills as a writer will take time. Most people get better with practice. It’s hard to get worse.

It’s a Writer’s World

Whether you’re interested in writing novels, poetry, screenplays, blogs, self-help books, how-to’s, or whatever… there are limitless opportunities to do so professionally.

Some opportunities pay better than others, but the vast amount of opportunity means there’s room for everyone somewhere.

If you’re writing for fun, then all the better.

As activities go, writing is pretty inexpensive when you come right down to it. Anyone can do it.

With practice, anyone can do it well.

Say to yourself, “I’m a writer.”

Then go and be one.

Cheers!

About John Teehan

John lives in Rhode Island with his wife, son, and dog. He specializes in tech, health, business, parenting, pop culture, and gaming. Visit wordsbyjohn.net for more info and rates. Twitter: @WordsByJohn2