katarzynaradzka

I’ve started thinking about my writing career in terms of the car gearbox. Before we start the car and make any movement we have to be put it in neutral, and as we begin to move forward, from first to second, to third, we begin to accelerate and move forward faster. That’s exactly what we want to do with our writing. Start slow and begin accelerating towards success, one gear at a time.

Neutral – you’re writing but it’s not going anywhere but hidden under a pile of books, magazines, and chocolate wrappers. You’re writing but you are your own audience. At this point, you want to start thinking about where you want to go in your writing career and what you’re going to do about it. Do you want to be a copywriter? Freelance writer for magazines and newspapers? Short story writer? Novelist? Or all of the above?

1^st Gear – At this point you’ve started testing the waters by sending out a couple of queries or stories here and there, but nothing too extraordinary. Your querying is regular but you are beginning to see the effects, the progress your effort is bringing in.

2^nd Gear – Your work is selling, your query sending has increased and you’re entering writing competitions. Here, you are finally starting the see your efforts being rewarded. At this stage you’re likely to have had a few pieces published and you’ve started your own website or blog.

3^rd Gear – Now, you are eager to call yourself a freelance writer, your writing is regularly getting published, your acceptance rate has gone up so you don’t have to send as many, you have a regular blog that keeps you in touch with your readers and editors and is growing at a gradual pace.

4^th Gear – Self promotion has become a regular part of your work week. At least once a week you find a new way to promote yourself, and you’re also getting a lot more acceptances which add to your promotion efforts.

5^th Gear – This is it. The place you want to get to. It’s where you’re self promotion is a daily effort not always directly from you. Your website or blog is getting a large regular readership, you have regular clients that provide you with a regular income and you no longer have to worry about where your next cheque is going to come from.

Which gear are you in?

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