Inspiration hits. The light bulb goes on. You’ve got a passion, and you pursue it. You see a need, and you fill it. There’s a question, and you answer it. You have a purpose, and you fulfill it. These all present great reasons to begin writing a nonfiction book. And most writers, when struck by a good idea and the…
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Writing Prompt 107 Write or modify your list of personal interests. A list of personal interests is just a formal way of saying hobbies. Why do you suppose it’s important to identify, list, and briefly describe extracurricular interests that have absolutely no bearing on the professional work you do as a writer? Hmmm. Before I answer that, think about the…
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This post is a blogged draft excerpt from The Author Training Manual (Writer’s Digest Books, March 2014). Read the previous blogged excerpt, here. Despite what you think, now might not be the right time to write and publish your book. It’s possible that you need to take some time to get more experience. Maybe you need six months to hone…
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Writing Prompt 106 Write or modify your professional resume. The professional resume is the single-most important tool in a writer’s arsenal, irrespective of the writer’s style or preferences. That means all writers, including those who specialize in fiction writing, need to create a professional resume. The resume is a straightforward to-the-point listing of a writer’s education, professional experience (jobs), and…
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Writing Prompt 105 Write your writer’s mission statement. Nonfiction writers should make it a point to have a written mission statement at their disposal at any given time. Having a mission statement offers two immediate benefits – – it helps the writer define his type of writing to himself and offers readers a good view of the writer’s professional expertise….
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