She Strengthens

The Unlikely Path to Becoming a Professional Writer

I’m often asked how I turned writing into a career, but the truth is, it wasn’t easy. It took a lot of hard work, determination, and a willingness to learn from my mistakes. I didn’t follow a traditional path, and I certainly didn’t have a roadmap to guide me. But I did have a passion for writing, and that’s what drove me to keep going.

Reading Widely and Often

To become a good writer, you need to be an avid reader. I read everything from novels to comic books, screenplays to shampoo labels. I devoured books that inspired me and ones that made me cringe. I read to understand different writing styles, to learn from others, and to improve my craft.

The Business of Writing

But writing isn’t just about putting words on paper; it’s also a business. You need to understand your audience, learn how to market yourself, and develop a thick skin. You’ll face rejection, criticism, and self-doubt, but you can’t let that hold you back. You need to be willing to take risks, to try new things, and to continuously improve.

Finding Your Voice

As a writer, you need to find your unique voice and tone. It’s what sets you apart from others and makes your writing authentic. It’s not about imitating someone else’s style; it’s about developing your own. And that takes time, practice, and patience.

The Grind of Writing

Writing isn’t always glamorous. In fact, most of the time, it’s hard work. You’ll spend hours researching, writing, and editing. You’ll face deadlines, tight schedules, and demanding clients. But if you’re passionate about writing, you’ll find a way to make it work.

Getting Paid to Write

So, how do you get paid to write? It’s not easy, but it’s possible. You need to be willing to take on different types of projects, to negotiate rates, and to believe in your worth. You need to understand that your writing has value, and that you deserve to be compensated for it.

The Most Important Thing

If I had to give one piece of advice to aspiring writers, it’s this: believe in yourself. Believe that you’re a writer, that your work has value, and that you deserve to be paid for it. If you don’t believe in yourself, no one else will. So, take a deep breath, be confident, and go for it.