Sometimes we have to draw a line in the sand – with a pen.

When people learn – because I’m not exactly shy about it now – that I’m a writer the conversation usually goes one of two ways. 

1. They ask, directly or obliquely, how much money I make from books and freelancing.
2. They look for tips about how to start, how to continue, and how to get to the point where they can answer question one about themselves.

I still find it odd that people need to know about the money, in a way that doesn’t apply to any other profession. “So, tell me, how much does a plumber / club singer / courier / midwife / potter make these days?” I think it’s driven by a mixture of curiosity and hope. We, all of us, apparently have a book in us. Small wonder that we might want to know its probable value before we commit ourselves to the task. Similarly, for those who are already writers, whether published or not, there’s a yearning to know that we will – like the good characters in the stories we grew up with – get our just reward in the end. The truth is much more fluid than that, depending upon the writing, timing, luck, the market, and other factors. 

As to the second question, I could point you towards several leading lights in fiction and non-fiction who may help you on the path. Sinclair Macleod, Sue Louineau, Villayat Sunkmanitu  and Rebsie Fairholm all gave me valuable insights about self-publishing. Some of the many agents (especially Andrew Lownie) and publishers who rejected my submissions also gave the odd hint about how to do it better the next time. Jane Pollard taught me a great deal about structure and depth. When it comes to non-fiction I am indebted, latterly, to Jon Morrow, Sophie Lizard, Mridu Khullar Relph and Carol Tice. None of this is news to anyone who reads this blog regularly.

However, I have picked up one tip along the way that makes a HUGE difference to every writer. It’s not foolproof but, statistically speaking, it makes the greatest impact to improving your chances as a writer. Best of all, it’s only two words (initially…). Ready?

Do something.

Start the page. End the paragraph. Finish the paragraph. Complete the novel. Endure the first edit (and all the others). Submit the work. Pitch. Adapt. Improve. Promote. Hustle, if that’s your thing. Run a promotional campaign. Plan a strategy. Act on impulse. Write to other writers. Contact the TV folk. Sell yourself on radio.