The lessons I have learned as a writer.

The lessons I have learned as a writer....

Write what you believe in.

Even if you want to write a popular genre write it the way you want to write it. Don't conform to fit a mold. There are already many stories out there doing that, be different. Open yourself up to risk in your work and most of all believe in every word that you put down, because they all meant something at one time.

Enjoy it.

What is writing if you don't enjoy it? It's nothing. If you can't enjoy your writing you shouldnt be writing. Yeah, there are always going to be times in your work where you want to skip over a scene or chapter and move on, but finding a way to enjoy what you do will make it so much easier. You can't take life so seriously all the time. There is room to be fun, to be silly with your words. Try it some time.

Always learn more.

Always, always always learn something new about writing. Find new ways to describe scenes, people, feelings. Sometimes all it takes is stepping back and watching a movie to pick up something new you can use in writing, or listening to music. Watch how people move, speak, act in different situations. Watch soap operas to understand drama. Read another author's book. Read a genre you wouldn't normally read. Just do something to gain a new skill toward writing. It makes the world of a difference.

Be you

Nobody writes like you. Sure we all have our favorite authors, but that doesn't mean we have to be them.

Close your eyes to the negative.

There is nothing you can do if somebody doesn't like your book. Remember, you don't always like everything you read either. Don't take it personal, move on. And if you have to dwell on it, at least try to pull something positive from it, or learn from it. Or better yet, don't worry about it. It is the way of the world, some people will try and pull you down, this happens some times as a writer, all you can do is deal with it the best way you know how. And remember all negatives are NOT someone attacking you viciously. Sometimes it's the cold hard truth, sometimes it's just simply not their cup of tea. Whatever the case may be you have to learn to grow a thick skin or you will never get anywhere. You can't live your life as a writer with pent up rage every time things don't go your way. Enjoy the times that they do, and brush off the times that they don't. You will feel a whole lot better for it. And remember your not the only one feeling this way, take a moment to remind yourself when you start to feel down.

Grow a thick skin

I wear my thick skin proudly. I have weathered the storm and made it out on the other side. We all go through that time in our writing life where we feel like we have been kicked in the teeth one way or another. But eventually you grow that thick skin and you feel invincible. You'll know it when it happens.

Always find new avenues

Do your research. As an indie you can never stop finding new ways to dive into writing, promoting and networking. Keep at it everyday if you need to. Hoard it all like those people on the show and use every tool you find, the more you reach out the better things will be for you in all ways.

Don't be stingy

I think all of us know someone else in the same boat as we are. Share what you learn with them, don't be a stingy jerk! Your not going to make it to the finish line because you hold all the tips and tricks, your going to feel a lot better sharing what you know with people just like you. Try it, you'll like it.

Offer up yourself, but also stay closed.

No matter how big or small your success is with writing, be human. Don't become to good to talk with readers and authors. We are all people. Just don't stretch yourself so thin that you end up not doing what you came to the party for, and that's writing books.

Feel for others.

There is going to be controversy. And some people want to jump on the bandwagon. Don't do this please. Take the time to put your self in that author's shoes before you decide to judge them. You might find out they are not as bad as the world wants to make them out to be. Or you might simply understand them and relate to them. Feel for others because one day you might find yourself in their shoes.

We are all the same.

It doesn't matter what we write, or how good we do it. We all have the desire to write. We all love it. Remember we are all the same, mingle with all types of writers because they all have something to teach you one way or another. Don't be a snob, it's tacky.

Try new things

Wander away from paranormal. Try something new, if you write mystery, maybe mix it up somehow, do something different one way or another, sometimes it helps. It's like a breath of fresh air. If you never wrote a steamy sex scene but enjoy reading them, try it. You might discover your really good at it. If your writing is more serious, try some humor. If you write in first person, try third. Just try something new. Do it already!