Kara Stefanowich – 10 Tips for becoming a writer @Karakazoo

7:00 AM | Labels: Guest Post, Kara Stefanowich

10 Tips for becoming a writer

I would not be so presumptuous to say that I’m any smarter than the next writer, but if you’re just starting out as a writer, I may have some tips.

1.) If you are interested in getting a Literary Agent and being published professionally, I hope you either have written the most brilliant book of the century, or have the patience of a Saint. There is a ton of competition out there and if you don’t do your research on the Agents you submit to and the Publisher you’re trying to land, then you may be wasting a lot of time and money. So do your research and be patient.

2.) Make 100% sure you have done your Query Letter, Synopsis and Author Biography correctly because those are the first things that Agents, Publishers and Marketing companies look at before they ever bother to read your book. So if you mess those up, forget about getting anywhere with your book.

3.) Have as many people you know, including English teachers/professors read your manuscript before throwing yourself to the wolves. Believe me, it helps.

4.) If you plan on self publishing don’t bother to give yourself a deadline and do as much research on every aspect of self publishing as you can. It will take longer than you think.

5.) Get yourself a Staples Reward Card. You have no idea how much money I’ve saved on paper this year. I managed to get 2 cases and 2 reams of paper for FREE, so far. Check for online coupons.

6.) EDIT, EDIT, EDIT and EDIT again. Then maybe a few more times.

7.) If at all possible, hire yourself a professional editor. You will be very thankful you did.

8.) Always learn from your mistakes.

9.) Be prepared for both good and bad feedback/reviews. We all get both. Even us OCD perfectionists.

10.) LEARN TO FORMAT!!! See this last one? Number 10? Yep, bad formatting. Couldn’t get that first word ‘LEARN’ to back up to the 10. No idea why. Good luck!