Recently I was approached by someone who had written a historical fiction novel.
Like many unpublished authors, she felt uncomfortable thinking of herself as a "writer.
" "Writing is not a primary profession for me," she told me, "and I don't plan on making a giant profit off my story.
" My response to her was simply: "Why not!" When I hear writers say that writing is not their primary profession, I remind them it's never anyone's profession until they publish something.
Then-poof-you're a professional! Writing and publishing a book is an ambition shared by millions of book lovers, literature buffs, and creative-minded professionals.
And today, print-on-demand publishing makes it easier than ever to produce and market your own book.
Yet many writers lack the confidence and, quite often, the skills with which to see a book published.
As a writing coach and mentor, I come across many who have impactful things to say, yet lack the perseverance necessary to see a book through to publication.
Often it is merely a matter of recognizing that even the best writers need guidance and support.
How many times have we glossed over a writer's acknowledgments page, naively attributing a book's success to the unending wellspring of genius spouting from a single creative mind? Moreover, we tend to forget that writers are made, often self-made professionals.
To add value to your writing, it's important to establish a community of supporters who can help you along the path of becoming a published author.
One of these cherished supporters should be your writing coach.
The right coach will contribute invaluable insight into your writing, nurturing your writing's strengths, while helping you improve upon its weaknesses.
Ideally, you'll want someone who is an editor or writer by profession.
From there, a genuine interest in your manuscript is the primary ingredient for a happy match.
Finally, be prepared for constructive criticism.
Any writer who refuses editorial suggestion can hardly be a successful author.
By sharing your unfinished work, you will be opening more doors for your writing, for shaping your identity as a "writer," and for attracting the most desirable prize of all-myriads of interested and entertained readers.