Tips From Award Winning Authors

By Katrina Wheeler


Award winning authors will be the first to tell you that literary success is not easy to attain. Anyone thinking of joining these ranks should prepare for some hard work and rejection along the way. Here are a few tips you should definitely consider along your journey.

It is important to write every day. Writing skills are like any muscle that needs to be trained and strengthened. Any successful athlete or musician will tell you, their training schedule to achieve their goals is taxing. Similarly, a good writer needs to work as hard to train their writing muscle and improve their abilities.

There are many methods and techniques that can be used to hone in on your art. These can be learnt by attending classes, receiving feedback and trying various methods till you find one that works best. If attending classes is not an option, then read books. This will introduce you to various tones and language styles, which is vital to identifying your own unique voice.

While exposing your work to the world is not an easy task, its vital for success. When deciding to publish with a big publisher, remember that the process is somewhat out of your hands. So, make sure you choose a publisher and editor that you trust and who shares your vision. They should be constructive, open and encouraging.

On the other hand, self-publishing is an option that more and more authors are considering. This option essentially cuts out the middle man. In this option, the author is responsible for all aspects including writing, editing, and book design. There are many platforms that can be used to publish your own novel or story. It also means control over distribution, PR and marketing.

In the publishing industry, rejection is real. As any successful author can tell you, you will hear the word "no" many times before you hear "yes." This cannot be avoided, it is just one of the many lessons you learn on the way to achieving success. Successful writers who got to where they are never gave up on the dream. If it truly is your dream, you need determination, perseverance and a very thick skin.

There are many competitions that cater to emerging writers, poets and journalists. Enter as any competitions as you can. This is a great opportunity to get comments and feedback on your work, particularly from the judges who are often active members of the publishing industry. Besides helping you get your name out, some contests have paid prizes which may be a great incentive to keep moving forward.

If you are a writer looking to reach the level of award winning authors, you must be willing to work hard, prepare yourself for the reality of failures and be ready for success. Luck also plays a part being a success. Sometimes it's just a combination of hard work and being ready at the right place and time.




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