NaNoWriMo Tip #1: Treat It Like a Career.

Posted on the 02 November 2011 by Josiebrown @JosieBrownCA

Happy National Novel Writing Month!

I've been blessed to have impressed enough book editors to have them bid, win, work with me and publish five novels and three non-fiction books. It's time to give back, and I'll be doing just that -- to you, and other aspiring authors -- for the next thirty days.

Stop by and read my one tip a day, during the month of November, as you tap tap tap out your daily writing goals, which (fingers crossed) puts you on firm footing with your novel.

My first tip: Treat writing as a career.

Why? Because those of us who call ourselves writers don't see it as a hobby.

It is a way of life.

The term "avocation" fits it well, yes. But so does the word "vocation." That's because writing is also our chosen career.

It can be yours, too -- if you choose to make it such.

Fate (zeitgeist, fairy dust, whatever) has a lot to do with any writer's success. But so does determination. That thing called inspiration happens to everyone--but not everyone puts in the hard work to take a high concept and develop into a full-length story that plays out page after page, and keep readers intrigued until the very last sentence. 

I truly believe that those of us who take the time and make the effort can be published. 

I believe that person is YOU.

If you think so, too, comment below as to why. What drives you to write?

All comments I receive between November 1 and November 30th (midnight PT) will be entered into a contest to receive all three of my books: The Baby Planner, Secret Lives of Husbands and Wives, and Impossibly Tongue-Tied.

Extra point if you friend me on Twitter (http://twitter.com/JosieBrownCA)

Extra point if you friend my on Facebook (http:www.facebook.com/JosieBrownAuthor) 

Happy writing, and welcome to the club,

-- Josie