Tools of Being a Writer: For Freelance and Fiction Writers

All writers need to work on their "tools" on a daily basis. It can be as hard as starting a new project or as easy as putting one more page together. This article will detail the tools a writer will need in order to make it a career.

Drive

All successful people have a drive that makes them what they are. The drive can come from in inborn dream or troubles in a 9-5 job. A writer will need the ability to sit at the writing desk every day and putting the words together. Sometimes a beginning novelist will need more drive than a freelance writer working on a 1,000 word article; this is because novelists have a much harder time seeing their work in print. To achieve success something needs to click: There has to be a force inside the writer to continue.

The Idea

Every story starts with an idea even if it is one written in a newspaper. We all have the ideas to keep us writing for years, but finding the ones with the most power is the key. Choosing an idea is much like sifting through dirt for gold: Some of it may look promising but underneath is just another plain rock.

The Story

Eventually writing down the story will come if the writer persists. The first writings will often be more of a learning experience than ones that will bring in money. The writer will find out which sorts of writing they enjoy working on the most, and avoid the ones they do not. Soon the stories will reach publishable form, but this is only part of becoming a writer.

Rejection

All writers face it and loathe it. Dealing with rejection is about the writer having thick skin. If you doubt your chances you need to work on your drive. The fact is many writers are slow and meticulous, and perhaps only put out a story every few months. Others work on one article or short story a day. Both have a shot if they can deal with rejection in the right manner. By continuing to write the writer increases their odds more than anything. Many will quit and that will lessen the odds for those who have not.

Success

Eventually the success will come for a writer who has drive and knows how to deal with rejection. Success can be a burden even though it feels good. The writer may think the process of writing will be easier, but often it will not. The writer could sulk in their success and doubt they have the drive to continue. It may be odd to think that success can do this, but it can.

The Life

Eventually the writer will cope with the successes and rejections. The road is an interesting one for those who continue. The writer can experience countless successes or perhaps be content with the few they receive. What will never change is the countless parts of life that seem to be just waiting to be written about