Theory: The best motivation I know comes from other writers. I am a walking proof that is true. A million (thousand, several) years ago, I had a dream to be an author. So my very awesome friends gave me a special birthday gift one year: a dictionary, a thesaurus, and the money to register for a creative writing course at William & Mary. Their gift was so much more than they had imagined. Not because I became a famous American author, but I entered the author’s world. The instructor was a nonfiction writer. He not only had us write various and sundry articles and stories, he showed us how to tap into a niche and become successful. He was terrific, a no nonsense sort of fellow giving us the benefit of his experiences. I was hooked on nonfiction.
Flash forward a decade. My father’s friend was a writer and a surgeon and a rancher, a Renaissance man if I ever knew one. He got involved in a local writers’ club and invited me to join. Completely different experience, just as valuable. We met once a month, read our excerpts or short stories, critiqued each other, and enjoyed our instruction period which was usually a lecture followed by a Q&A with a successful local author. Here, I learned the value of having “connections.” Local authors taught me how to look for the unexpected or unexplained in a local legend and turn it into a gripping novel or mini documentary. They shared their publishing experiences. This group introduced me to writing seminars. The kind where real agents come, and highly successful authors are born.
Flash forward about five years ago. Someone invited me to participate in an online writers’ group. We met in cyberspace, talked and encouraged one another. Here I was given the opportunity to write for a blog. I was nervous and hesitant because it was new and different. Wouldn’t trade that experience for the world. I learned why blogging is so popular, why it reaches across miles and time zones, how it supports and sustains. And I got the benefit of professional expertise.
Flash forward to today. I am a successful nonfiction writer. I love taking technical information and organizing it in a way that any layman can “get” it. I have enormous respect for fiction writers. I have learned about writing rules, genre rules, and why you need to follow them; and when and if you can break them. I have read stories that should have been published, and stories that should not have seen the light of day.
Mostly, from the very first course I took all those years ago, I have learned a writer is not an island; we are part of a huge and growing community that will teach you, support you, encourage you, and show you to how to become that successful writer. Connections are important in every profession; perhaps vital in ours.
Get out there! Take courses, write for blogs, maintain a website, join writing clubs. The benefits will make you a well-rounded, known entity even before you get published.
Pssst: You can usually count on those groups of people to post reviews, buy your book, and give you the feedback you want . . . and need.
Terry Wagner is an Assistant Edtior at Xchyler. She has 16 years of fiction and non-fiction writing, editing, blogging and journalism experience. Her project, Mr. Gunn and Dr. Bohemia by Pete Ford is slated for release in November 2013