Writing is just a hobby… how many times have you heard this before?
This is an expression that has been ingrained in the minds of many, creating the idea that writing is indeed ‘just a hobby’.
But I will argue differently.
Yes, it is a hobby.
An interest that many of us have and use as a form of expression and to speak about our life experiences.
You might jot down your deepest thoughts and feelings in your diary, in your journal or even on your computer, and then put these works away. This is fine.
But, writing is more than this; it is not ‘just a hobby’. It can be a successful career, and in order to prove that you need to write with the intention of getting your written work published.
To do this, find your… voice, as ‘they’ call it in the writing world. Write to get your work published, so when you speak about the ‘writing world’, you can change the word they to we.
Your love story, for example, can be turned into a published masterpiece.
One day, you could be sulking and crying about a lover who left you, and then boom, the next day, you are an established author with millions and millions in your pocket.
Wow, isn’t this the dream? If it was this easy, then dinosaurs still exist. Like any career, it will take hard work and the ability to deal with certain challenges.
Write by following the rules, but also by bending them. Be creative, be unique and add your own personal style to your text.
Always have the mindset of getting published. Don’t throw your written work away somewhere once you are done with it.
Literature does not belong under your bed covered in dust and dirt; it does not belong squashed and thrown away in a box or bag, and it certainly does not belong in the bin.
One novel is all it takes to make your mark, but stories don’t fall from the sky. They are created by people who have the intention of contributing something to the world.
So write your story to share it, and keep that thought of ‘can I make money from this?’ at bay.
If you become consumed with what the outcome might be, you will never write a good narrative, but if you focus purely on your writing and work towards getting it published, the rewards should follow.
I’m sure of it! Many others did it around the world, we can, too. So you must write with the intention of getting published.
If you want to make writing your career, then consider it a career and not just a hobby.
Research, email and phone.
Do everything you possibly can to get your foot in the door and publish your work.
Whether it’s a novel, short story, poem or any other genre of literature, get your work published.
HAVE YOUR SAY
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