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Eight Tips to Get You in the 3%
By Unknown
Posted: 2020-01-23T03:54:00Z

We’re almost a month into the new year. How are your writing goals going?

Did I hear groans?

A lot of folks on a writing journey set ambitious goals, but then they fizzle out before they reach them. I’ve read that 97% of writers never finish the book they started. What gets in the way, and how can you make sure you’re in the 3%?

My name is Julie Hennrikus. I’m an author, and a very proud member of Sisters in Crime. I’m fairly certain that if I hadn’t joined this organization back in 2001, I would not be working on the copy edits of my 8th novel right now.

A year ago I started a company called Your Ladders. My mission is to help folks over the obstacles in their creative journey by helping them develop the confidence to continue. I do that through classes, webinars, and coaching.

Today I’d like to share Eight Tips to Get You in the 3%. Many of these tips are helpful for mid-career authors who feel stuck on their own writing journey.

  1. Claim the title of writer. I remember the first time I made some business cards that had “writer” as the title. I created them for a conference I was going to. My hands shook, and I felt sick. Who was I to call myself a writer? Well, I was someone who’d been taking classes for several years, who’d joined Sisters in Crime, and who had finished a (terrible) novel. No one is going to annoint you as a writer. You need to claim it for yourself.
  2. You are a lifelong apprentice. When you are on a writing journey, you never stop learning. Learning about your craft, learning about the business. Embrace that. Give yourself the gift of curiosity.
  3. Writing is hard work. This actually came as a surprise to me. When my first book was about to be published I saw Hallie Ephron at a meeting. She asked how it was going, and I told her I was struggling with the second book. She told me that every first draft was like putting a log through a meat grinder. The difference was that the more you wrote, the more confidence you built up that you can do it. She was right, though sometimes my confidence does wane a bit in the middle of the first draft.
  4. Make sure to enjoy the journey. The journey of a writer is a roller coaster ride that never ends until you get off the ride. Sometimes it’s a thrill. Sometimes it’s boring. Sometimes you want to vomit. Here’s the thing to remember. You have to enjoy the ride. Find joy on your journey. One way to do that is to celebrate every milestone. Don’t wait until you publish your novel. Celebrate the plotting, the drafts, the edits, the reaction of beta reader, the submission, the acceptance, and publication day.
  5. Small steps add up. Be consistent with your writing. There’s no “only”. “I only wrote 500 words” or “I only had an hour to write”. Every word you put down moves you along. Don’t wait until the timing is perfect to write, or to start. It’s never perfect. Perfectionism is a form of procrastination, and a block to success. Progress over perfection.
  6. Remember your why. Why did you want to write a book? How and when did the muse call you? It’s easy to forget the excitement you felt when you first started out on this journey, but try and remember it. Over time you may need to readjust your why, but never forget or discount it entirely.
  7. Think about the next steps in your writing career. Once you’re on the journey, and especially after you’ve been published, it’s very easy to get stuck in the weeds of producing the words without looking up and reexamining your path. Or to be comfortable on your journey and not prepared for a jolt in the ride, like your publisher going out of business or your series getting cancelled. Getting published is one thing, staying published is another. You’re not doing anything wrong when the business part takes a turn. But try and prepare yourself for those turns by looking a few steps ahead.
  8. Take creative leaps. One of the great things about folks on a creative journey, no matter what that journey, is that they get bored by sameness. But other blocks, like fear, imposter syndrome, lack of time or being burned out can keep you on your bored but trusted path. What creative leaps can you challenge yourself with this year? What is the book you want to write, but it scares you to try? How can you shake it up a bit? Now, I’m not saying that you should abandon your path if it’s going well. But I do suggest challenging yourself a bit. Figure out how to keep it fresh.

Calling yourself a writer is an act of bravery. Thank you for claiming that space, and for doing your work. Your creative energy matters. I believe that creative energy changes the world, which is why I do the work I do to support folks on their journey. If I can be of any help to you on yours, feel free to reach out at julie@yourladders.com, or visit www.YourLadders.com I also have a Facebook group called Awakening the Muse Within, and you’re welcome to join me there.

Here’s to ambitious writing goals and meeting them in 2020!

Julie Hennrikus writes under several names. As Julia Henry, she writes the Garden Squad series for Kensington. The third in the series, Digging up the Remains,  will come out in August 2020. As Julianne Holmes she wrote the Agatha nominated Clock Shop Mysteries for Berkley Prime Crime. As J.A. Hennrikus she writes the Theater Cop Mystery Series for Midnight Ink, and has published three short stories with Level Best Books. She blogs with the Wicked Authors and Killer Characters. She’s worked in the performing arts for over thirty years, and recently became a certified life coach who specializes in creativity coaching. @YourLadders @JHAuthors

 

 

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