Six things I've learned as a struggling writer

Deciding to be a writer is just about one of the dumbest things you could ever do. There are no guarantees with anything. You could write the best damn book in the world and if you can't get it in the hands of the right people, it means nothing.

The writing process is filled with sleep deprivation, heartache, and the struggle to learn what is good writing. I've had my fair share of rejections, setbacks, and manuscript rewrites.
So here are a few of the things I've learned that may help you on your journey:

1. Don't just start writing a novel. Start by teaching yourself the elements of a book, and learn how to write well first. Write short stories before attempting a novel. Teaching your self the basics beforehand will save a lot of time during the editing process.

2. Editing is harder than writing. You've completed your manuscript and you're super proud of yourself, and you should be. But don't start celebrating yet because the hard work has just begun. Edit, then edit again, and then edit just a bit more. Get rid of those cliches. Round out those characters. Make that small town feel real. It takes work, but once you get it right, it's worth it. 

3. Read and write everyday. Now I know what you're thinking, if I'm writing and editing all the time how could I possibly have time to read? Well you better find the time, because without reading you won't have the tools to know what makes good writing. Read across genres and read books on writing, like The Elements of Style and Writing Tools by Roy Peter Clark. And you know to write everyday because that's how you get better, it's how you hone your craft. You won't get better if you don't practice. And if you think your writing's already good enough, it's probably shit. 

4. Share your writing with fellow writers. If you write in a vacuum, you won't get better. You can't see everything that's wrong with your writing, and close friends and family can't either. Meet other writers through workshops or by joining a critique group. It might be uncomfortable at first, but it will teach you to handle criticism. Everyone has room for improvement.

5. There will be rejection. Get used to that idea. Let that sink in, and know that there will be many people who don't like what you've written, or who would have done it differently. Fuck those people. This is where belief in yourself becomes crucial. If someone offers some constructive criticism, then by all means listen, but if they're just saying that what you've written isn't right for them or they simply don't like it, then cry for a bit, and move on. Get over it as quickly as possible because there's more work to be done and lots more rejection to be had. 

6. Never give up. This is your dream, and even though it's a stupid, completely unrealistic dream, there exists something in you that wants to write. Don't deny that part of yourself, feed it as often as you can and just keep hoping for the best. That big publishing contract isn't out there for everyone, but that doesn't mean it isn't out there for you. Work hard and it could happen. You just have to keep trying.

Love,

Kris