Three Things Writers Should Get

As the girl who grew up asking her dad for spiral notebooks, I’m always happy to talk shop with writers in the making.

Periodically, I post some tips or interesting items for writers. Today’s take on that bullets three things you might want to “get” in the journey.

1. Get Words

Writer Mara Purl explains how there is a code to language choice.  “I learned after rejection that there were some publishing elements that were important and missing. Every field has some language and that was rapidly evolving. I always thought I was a fiction writer but really I was writing women’s fiction. Then I began studying displays at book shows and in bookstores. I learned that my book covers did not speak the language of the women’s fiction code. I learned about developing a vision for my brand and each decision I made for my books were art projects designed to make sure they fit the genre and they would catch the eye of the buyer of women’s fiction.”

2. Get Friends

Have you heard the warm and fuzzy story behind February House, a house rented by magazine editor George Davis? He conceptualized the idea of having a live-in writer’s salon that recruited Auden, Gypsy Rose Lee, Richard Wright and even a couple composers like Paul Bowles and Benjamin Britten who were banished to the basement to work. All of them produced some pretty innovative works…and, maybe most of all, got. their. projects. finished. Moral of the story: when you surround yourself with creatives, lo and behold, it helps.

3. Get Creative

BookTour.Com recently announced it’s closing its doors. The reason? Authors aren’t doing professional book tours anymore. Instead, author events are moving toward “multi-disciplinary pageants with the book at the center”. Translation? If you’re selling a cookbook, host a cooking class. If you’re pushing a how-to for crafters, stage a window display art exhibit. Writing about your childhood growing up on a farm? Do a reading at an apple orchard. Best idea wins.

{Note from Sarah: There’s a whole smorgasboard of posts on writing HERE. Or, if you are you wanting to start writing your own book? Here are some free resources to help you on your way}

{I also answer questions from aspiring writers at sarahraymondcunningham (at) gmail (dot) com. If you’re looking to hire out some writing work, I do take select editing, ghostwriting and proposal development jobs. Hit me up at the same email to see if I’m free.}