Writer's Plan for Success

...about writing for publication, motorcycling, and faith.

A Beginning Writer’s Plan for Success

Dianne E. Butts

ü Choose 1 or a few ideas to pursue. Think and begin to write and organize your article, story, book.

ü Begin building your market files by sending for Writer’s Guidelines, Sample Copies, Theme Lists, and/or publisher’s catalogs.

ü Craft your manuscript to target market’s specifications.

ü Find half a dozen or more possible markets for each manuscript.

ü Query or Submit.

ü Begin next project(s). Toggle two projects. Let one rest while working on other. Then revise first while letting next one rest.

ü Build your inventory of products you have to sell.

ü After publication of First Rights articles, market reprints.

ü Keep as many plates spinning as you can comfortably.

ü Have your own place to work and keep your stuff

ü Make time for it regularly: even if it’s only 15 minutes a day, or one morning a week. People have done whole books in this way.

ü Remember writing is more than what you do when you put words on paper!

ü Set goals. Keep moving forward, however quickly or slowly.

ü Persist, persist, persist and persevere. Persevere. Persevere. If you do, you will be successful.

This page last updated Thursday January 22, 2009.