5 Habits of Successful Writers

When a new writer starts out on their writing adventure, there is usually one main question on their mind: "How do published authors write such good books?" I've often asked myself the same question as I've embarked on my own journey through the sometimes tiring and frustrating process of taking a golden idea and putting it through the roller-coaster ride of plotting, drafting, and editing. So how do published authors do it? Along my way, I have found a few things that all writers do to help them on their creative journey and that have helped me throughout mine.

      1. Successful writers read. 

Read anything and everything! Don't just stick to the genre you write- read anything you can get your hands on, but have fun with it. While likely not all reading material will be interesting to you (I've fallen asleep reading textbooks a time or two), it shouldn't be a chore to read– if it is, you've probably chosen the wrong profession. Reading really is the best way to develop your voice, get a feel for plot and character development, and most importantly, enjoy yourself!

      2. Successful writers ignore distractions. 

This one is an extremely challenging one, as any writer (myself included) can attest to. You're all motivated to write, so you sit down and open up your computer... and spend hours browsing Pinterest for writing pins. Or reading. Or napping. Distractions are an unavoidable part of life, and for some reason, they seems to run rampant during the time when you're supposed to be writing. How do you deal with them? It depends on what works for you. I have often employed the help of browser add-ons and extensions that block my time-draining websites and keep me focused on the task at hand. You might try setting a timer or working in an area you make solely for writing–whatever works for you. There are some distractions, too, that you just have to completely ignore. Yes, I'm talking about doubts. Everyone who dares to write will experience doubts at some point. Sometimes, they can feel insurmountable and make it seem useless to even try to write. "I can't write anything original–everything's already been taken." "I'm not great at writing." "I can't seem to make the words come out right on paper." Everyone has been there, and to quote one of the most optimistic characters of all time, you have to "just keep swimming!"– ignore your doubts, believe in you ability to write, and "just keep writing!"

      3. Successful writers are constantly learning their craft.  

Writing can sometimes feel like an overwhelming task– how do you possibly learn, remember, and apply all the elements that make up a well-written novel? Well, if there's one thing I've learned about writing, it's that I always have more to learn about writing. There is an unlimited number of resources out there to help you learn the nuances of writing: how-to books, seminars and conferences, blogs, websites, and even observing the different elements of writing in movies books.The writing conferences I've attended annually and the books and blogs I've pored over have been invaluable tools for helping me better my writing.  Learn all you can about writing and keep learning, because the more you know, the better you get. 

      4. Successful writers use outside help. 

Whether this comes in the form of a parent, friend, or critique group, this one is also an essential to improving your writing. I have a few choice critique partners that give me great, sometimes brutally honest feedback– which is exactly what you ought to look for in those you have examine your writing. Critics need to be able to give you a good balance of suggestions of things to improve on as well as compliments on what you did well, and in order to do get a good range for this, you will want people who are both writers and readers; writers can point out style and technical errors while regular readers are great at pointing out flaws and unbelievable bits.

      5. And finally... Successful writers write!   

I seriously cannot stress this one enough–every seasoned writer has heard this one time and again, and it really is the key to becoming a great writer and eventually a published author. As much as we sometimes wish that our books will magically finish themselves, they have to actually be written. So yes, as writers, we actually have to write, and when possible, strive to write every day. Writing is often compared to exercising; if you relapse in your routine, your muscles get weaker, but the more you work your creative muscles, the stronger they get. That's not to say that you won't still have rough patches when the words just don't come, but I've found that as you push through or even take a break from your work in progress and use writing prompts, the words start flowing again. Ultimately, if you make an effort to write at least a little, your writing will be all the better for it. The more you write, the better you'll get, so go out there and write your story!