The Tortoise Website

The Tortoise Website
Click on image to go to Author website. "THE RACE IS NOT TO THE SWIFT." Eccl. 9:11

Tuesday, 12 November 2013

Work The Way Award Winning Authors Do

By Katrina Wheeler


The road to success for award winning authors is not a simple one. Anyone aiming to be in this number needs to be prepared to work extremely hard and rise over rejection. These tips are a great starting point to help you achieve those goals.

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.

If in doubt, publish it yourself. Authors don't always have to go the route of a big publisher. Self-publishing is available as an option and with many platforms emerging for new writers, it's one that more people are considering. This option essentially removes the middle man and places responsibility for all aspects of production on the author. This includes writing and editing the content; designing the book cover and layout; and controlling the distribution and marketing of the work.

Do not fear rejection letters. In the media and publishing industry, rejection is a reality. Even the most successful author went through a series of rejections before the acceptances start rolling in. This rite of passage is all part and parcel of the road to success. It's important not to give up the dream and keep trying.

Writing competitions are everywhere. Some are free, some not. Either way, you should try to enter as many competitions as you can. It's a terrific opportunity to get your work read by other people, particularly those active in the industry. A lot of the times, competition judges are writers, editors or publishers. This will potentially get you the access you would not ordinarily have, especially since finalists are often provided with valuable feedback and constructive criticism for growth purposes.

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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