Among the steps necessary to grow as a writer , you’ll want to:

• Read as many books on the craft as you can get your hands on, starting with with my favorites .

• Spend time writing—maybe even take a journalism class or online writing course.

• Avoid starting with a book. Beginning your writing career with a book is like enrolling in graduate school when you should be in kindergarten. You have a lot to learn first.

You don’t have to be published to be a writer. You’re a writer if you’re writing—working at it, learning, progressing.

You don’t have to be published to be a writer. You’re a writer if you’re writing—working at it, learning, progressing.

It doesn’t matter if you’re a novice.

It doesn’t matter if you’re a novice.

Every writer you can name began unknown and unpublished.

Every writer you can name began unknown and unpublished.

You’ll find more than enough reasons to give up. Determine to write no matter what.

Study, research, grow, develop a thick skin, work hard, accept editing and input—painful as they can be, and learn to become an aggressive, even ferocious self-editor

Get your seat in the chair every day and get words on the page. They won’t all be perfect, but writing is the only way to get better at it.

Would you believe I still work at honing my writing skills every day?

I believe that if I’m not growing, I’m stagnating. Writers who think they have arrived get lazy and become obsolete.

When you begin pitching your work to agents and publishers , they’ll look you up on the Internet.

Your website becomes your calling card, your portfolio, and it also allows you to begin building the following you need to become a full time writer.

Do you volunteer with an organization that could use writing help? Is your local newspaper looking for content?

Opportunities, paid and unpaid, can give you valuable experience.

Be willing to do what nobody else will do.

Meet people in your community. Get involved. Volunteer. Build relationships.

Introduce yourself and get to know writers who you admire.

Gaining experience isn’t just about writing; it’s about building relationships. The more people you know, the more opportunities will come your way.