How to Live Like a Writer in 5 Easy Steps
1) You should read. Read grammar books for fun. Read fiction in a different genre. Read
magazines about writing and publishing. Read book reviews to find other things you might like to read.
2) You should write. Set an every day goal for writing, pages or time; but don't beat yourself
up if you don't make it, just try again the next day. Keep record of your progress; it may expose trends
in your writing cycles and allow you to gauge realistic deadlines.
3) You should prioritize. Find a happy medium between writing and other obligations like cleaning
and family. If it ain't on fire or screaming, it can wait a half an hour while you whip out one more page.
4) You should edit. Finishing draft one is a huge step, but draft one is not done. Draft five
may not even be done. Go to a critique group; get comments from trusted friends; grab a red pen and be
ruthless.
5. You should submit. Sure, you'll probably be rejected at first; but what if you're not? It's
not going to get published sitting on your desk. Besides, publishing is only a part of being a writer.
Kat Brokaw works as a writer/editor for a
national insurance company, focusing on member materials that maintain health literacy
standards. She lives in Southern California with her daughter and private menagerie.
Her work has been published in a variety of local and national forums. She is currently
working on an adult single-title fantasy novel.
Unless otherwise noted, all text on this site is
the original work of Kat Brokaw and protected by copyright law.
Original background art “Sky Lady” © 2006 Kaide Brokaw.
Thank you.