If you’re serious about writing and publishing your memoir, make a commitment to learning the art and craft of each skill necessary.
Consider yourself a student. Devote at least a couple of years to learning how to write, and then how to publish.
Join a writing group. Network.
Read the best books.
Attend writing conferences.
Develop a system for collecting information you know you’ll need in the future.
For example, I have dozens of folders saved on my computer for skills such as writing good dialog. I have ten pages of links and notes on dialog alone!
I have at least that many pages devoted to dozens hundreds of other topics including:
- audience
- author bio (how to write one)
- beta readers
- book descriptions
- chapter titles
- Chicago Manual of Style
- clarity
- copyright info
- covers for books
- critique
- details describing people
- editing topics and resources
- formatting
- grammar
. . . and dozens of other topics.
And here’s another bit of advice: Follow the best blogs.
Recently Anne R. Allen shared a great resource listing the top 100 writing blogs. I have learned from many of them and recommend you look into them, too—they’ll help you grow as a writer. And Anne R. Allen consistently offers rich resources, too. Follow her on Facebook.
And pray! Commit yourself and your writing to God. Ask for His help in practical, specific ways. And watch what He does.
God has often surprised me in answer to such prayers. For example, this morning He brought me a huge help to solve an overwhelming problem with formatting my manuscript for publication. WoooHooo!
If you’re serious about writing and publishing your memoir,
learn the art and craft of each skill necessary.
You can do it!
You must do it!
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