Read This If You’re an Aspiring Writer
By Mary Kole
Mary Kole is a former literary agent, freelance editor, writing teacher, author of Writing Irresistible Kidlit, and IP developer for major publishers, with over a decade in the publishing industry.
If you are an aspiring writer who’s passionate about writing, you’ve come to the right place. This article contains practical advice on what you need to do to hone your craft and achieve your writing goals, from learning your craft and reading like a writer to joining a writing community, attending conferences, and building your author platform.
Learn and Polish Your Craft as an Aspiring Writer
Writing may come naturally to some, but the truth is, it takes hard work to master the art of writing. No matter how talented you are, you still need to hone your craft, whether you’re studying character development, plot, scene-setting, world-building, or writing style and voice. Take courses, attend workshops and learn from established authors and publishing professionals alike. You can also read extensively on the craft of writing to expand your knowledge and skills. Remember, practice makes perfect, so keep writing and experimenting with different writing styles and challenging yourself to learn, grow, and level up. Development doesn’t happen in theory, you actually have to take what you’re learning to the page.
Read Like an Aspiring Writer
Reading is as important as writing for any aspiring writer. Reading exposes you to different writing styles, helps you develop your own skills and perspective, and keeps your creativity flowing. When you read, don't just read for pleasure, study the writer's technique and approach. Which POV are they using? How are they weaving narrative timelines together? Analyze the storytelling, character development, and pacing in each book you read and see how you can apply it to your own writing. Don’t forget to read widely as an aspiring writer, either—inside and outside your chosen category and genre so you can see published authors in action. You never know where your next idea or technique might come from.
Learn the Publishing Market
Understanding the publishing market and landscape is crucial if you want to go from aspiring writer to published author. This is especially relevant if you want to work with a traditional publisher. You need to know what literary agents and publishers are looking for, which genres are in demand, and what the current publishing trends are. Keep tabs on publishing industry news, too, because you’ll also want to learn the business itself. Publishing is a constantly evolving industry, so stay updated by subscribing to newsletters. Check out the various Publishers Weekly and Publishers Lunch newsletter subscriptions (with free options) as a good starting point.
Join a Critique Group or Get Writing Notes from a Freelance Editor
Writing can be a solitary pursuit, but that doesn't mean you should always work in isolation. Joining a critique group or getting writing notes from a freelance editor can provide valuable feedback, help identify areas for improvement, and keep you motivated. As an aspiring writer, you are likely to see your own work through rose-colored glasses or have blind spots. Even though I work as a freelance editor, this advice isn’t meant to be biased. Third-party feedback, whether you pay for it or exchange critiques with a writing partner, is going to help you level up. A critique group can also provide a supportive community of like-minded individuals who share your passion for writing. You might want to check out my teaching and community resource, Thriving Writers.
Attend Writer's Conferences
Attending writer's conferences can be an excellent way to gain deeper insights into the publishing industry, connect with fellow aspiring writers, and learn from established authors and literary agents. You can attend workshops, pitch your work to gatekeepers, and participate in writing competitions. Conferences can be expensive, but the knowledge, connections, and opportunities you gain can be invaluable and open doors.
Writing can be a tough and sometimes lonely career, but with hard work, continued growth, dedication, and the right support system, you can achieve your goals. Whether you are just starting or have been writing for a while, there is always room for improvement. By honing your craft, reading like a writer, learning the publishing market and landscape, joining a writing community, attending conferences, and building your author platform, you can take steps in the right direction. Remember, success doesn't come overnight for an aspiring writer, so be patient, keep writing, and spend your time intentionally.
Ready to expand your writing and publishing knowledge? Covering a wide range of topics for all stages of the writing process, my books will help you navigate the publishing world and refine your craft. The publishing landscape is constantly evolving, and I’m always looking for new and innovative resources to help writers succeed.