The Single Best Writing Tip Every Freelancer Needs to Know
July 29, 2008 by Deb Ng
Filed under Freelance Writing
by Candidate #10
There are massive amounts of writing advice and tips for being a better writer across the Internet. Do this. Do that. Try this way. No, this way is better. Is there a single writing tip that makes the difference?
Yes. Yes, I think there is.
Sifting through the dos and don’ts to find the right way or the best advice can be confusing. New writers hop on board with dreams and aspirations, hopeful that they can actually turn their love into something grand.
It’s fantastic. Opportunity abounds. Everyone is an equal. The barrier are stripped away. Anyone can succeed – that is, if they believe.
No one single tip can make you better if you don’t believe in yourself. You’re going to try this and that, and you’re going to form opinions and take stances. Is your way best? Maybe. Maybe not. It doesn’t matter.
What does matter is that no matter what you try, no matter which advice you listen to, you believe in yourself. You’re going to stumble and falter. You’re going to have moments of doubt and irritation. You’re going to write fantastic work and you’re going to write some pretty awful stuff, too.
It doesn’t matter.
If you believe in yourself, you will achieve success. It’s as simple as that.
I can’t argue with any of this. If you don’t believe in yourself, you’ll never succeed.
I totally believe in myself….however I’m having a hard time getting national magazines to see things my way. I currently write for 2 local magazines and want to not only get a national mag but also to get a book published. Any suggestions on how to accomplish either of these? I’ve emailed editors, look all the time on job boards (this one, mediabistro, etc) but so far, nothing. As for the book publishing, I don’t have a clue where to start with that one.
Thanks!
I agree, as well. But, I actually think a grasp of grammar and spelling are just as important. I still remember my neighbor’s son coming to me with a paper he was certain would get him an A in his freshman high school course. I had to shoot him down, sadly, because it was obvious he had no grasp of grammar or spelling to the point of words like “nayber,” “koff” and really sadly, “skool.”
As much as I hate to say it, if you really can’t spell–or at least know how to use a spellcheck program–or know the basic rules of grammar, you’re in the wrong business.
@Lisa – I’m not a big fan of self-publishing books, but it can work. On that note, make sure your book is as great as you think it is. I’ll be brutally honest, but of the self-published books I’ve read and reviewed, ones that authors swore would be best sellers and they couldn’t understand why publishers were not “getting it,” well only a handful have really been quality in my eyes. Often, you’ll get an honest review of your work from a stranger than you will a friend or family member. Just keep that in mind.
As I said, I’ve seen it happen both ways. You’ve probably heard of Chris Paolini (Eragon.) If not, read up on him. He was a teen when he wrote Eragon and not one publishing company would touch it. He finally saved up the money and had his book self-published with his parents’ company and promoted it himself. It just happened that author Carl Hiasson’s stepson picked up a copy and loved it, so he handed it to his step-dad. Carl Hiasson was equally impressed and approached his publisher who immediately signed Paolini. He’s become incredibly famous, Eragon went on to become a blockbuster movie, and all of that from a self-published novel.
The problem is that bigger publishers receive so many queries and manuscripts that many often get lost in the shuffle or never seen at all.
As far as magaiznes, drop the e-mail, use the phone. Some don’t use freelancers. I only use e-mail after talking to someone on the phone first. It works.
Believing in yourself is critical, but it’s not enough to succeed. With so many people out there wanting to be writers, you have to be good at what you do. I’m not knocking your post, but I think we have to careful with this kind of message. Like Ann G. said, you need grammar and spelling skills and, I would argue, a natural flair for words and language that can never really be taught or learned. You might think you’re the next Hemingway, but if you never finished “skool,” nobody is going to take you seriously.
Krista,
I have to disagree with your last part. Not having finished my bachelor’s degree, I find that I still have plenty of work. I’m working towards finishing my degree, but it really has no bearing on what I write, so I think it’s possible for writers to find work without the degree. That said, specialized niches probably do require that someone has at least finished theirs, and have been practicing in their related fields for a certain period of time.
Because writing is so prolific, it is unfair to say that someone who has not finished school will not be taken seriously. Experience counts for a lot in many cases.
As for the post, I agree that believing in yourself is very important, but I’m not sure that I agree it is the single most important piece of advice I’d give to an aspiring writer.
Interesting responses. I would think believing in yourself is first – because if one doesn’t believe in one’s ability one won’t do what’s necessary to acquire the skills to succeed.
@Krista – My highest degree is from high school. I never finished and I think I did ok.
Oops. I should have read my post more carefully. I was actually borrowing a word from Ann G.’s post regarding the importance of proper spelling and grammar. She stated that she read someone’s essay and they had spelled school “skool.” What I meant was that if you believe in yourself, but can’t spell properly (i.e. “skool”) nobody will take you seriously.
No offence to anyone who hasn’t finished college. That’s totally not what I was getting at.
I also find it interesting that people assumed I was referring to university, as I never stated that in my post. Hmmm
Interesting comments. What’s important to note is that I never said that if you believe, you will succeed *as a writer*. But you will succeed, I guarantee that.
You may take courses. Finish school. Pick up a textbook and learn. Try something writing-related, like managing a writing team. Build a blog. Sell admin services instead of writing. You might suck at blogging but rock at website copy (and no, they aren’t the same).
If you don’t believe in yourself, then *nothing* that you do will be a success. There is always belief to achieve any goal, even if you go back as far as toddlers learning to walk.
Good stuff, keep it coming!
While I’ll agree that belief in self, or confidence, is critical, I would also venture that one should always look to improve (don’t be overconfident).