What Makes a Writer

By Sophfronia Scott

Lately I’ve been thinking about what makes a writer. I get emails with questions about how to put a manuscript together or what to put into a query letter or how to get editing services.

But I hear very little about the writing itself. Sometimes I get questions I can’t answer because I need to know more about what the person has written so far. When I ask, nine times out of ten the person has written little or nothing. They’re out there putting the proverbial cart before the horse.

Please don’t forget: whatever your book, whatever you want to create, you must address the writing. Maybe your book is fiction, maybe it’s non-fiction. Maybe you know you can’t write a word—and that’s good too! At least you know your first task is to find someone to get your ideas down on paper for you.

But one way or another, your book must be written before anything can happen. (If you’re seeking to get published traditionally, you’ll have to write a book proposal, not the whole book, but even then you need to submit sample chapters.) Nothing else matters at this point. I encourage you to find the writer in you. What makes a writer? Well, here’s the list I came up with. I’ll add to it as time goes on. Let me know what you think should be on the list!

1.    Knowing you must finish what you write. Not finishing guarantees you won’t publish.
2.    The desire to read as much as you can so you’re constantly learning what’s possible with language.
3.    Knowing there’s a world of potential in what you’re about to write.
4.    Understanding the magic is in the details–and a detail is more than just naming the brand of a car or a shirt.
5.    Understanding this is a craft and the editor is not the bad guy (or girl).
6.    There’s a story inside of you dying to get out–and you know you’ll absolutely love it when it’s done.
7.    Knowing the work is good because you made someone feel something, not just because someone told you it was good.
8.    Knowing that re-writing is just as much a part of your job as writing.
9.    Understanding that words are magic and a willingness to strive to find the right ones.
10. The ability to trust that you can create something new and bring amazing work into the world.
11. The desire for that moment of connection when the reader sees in your work a feeling they didn’t have words for before.
12. Awareness & recognition of moments of grace, beauty & horror, and the desire to render them in print.

© 2010 Sophfronia Scott

Sophfronia Scott is Executive Editor of the Done For You Writing & Publishing Company. Learn what a difference being a published author can make for your business. Get your FREE audio CD, “How to Succeed in Business By Becoming a Bestselling Author” and your FREE online writing and book publishing tips at www.DoneForYouWriting.com.

"Think Like an Entrepreneur" Book Signing Today!

Date: Saturday, October 16, 2010
Time: 1:00 - 3:00 PM

Borders Books Princeton
601 Nassau Park Blvd. (Off of Rt 1)
Princeton, NJ 08540
609.514.0040


Meet author, Deborah A. Bailey at the book signing for "Think Like an Entrepreneur: Transforming Your Career and Taking Charge of Your Life."  

For directions and more information: http://www.borders.com/online/store/StoreDetailView_131

Can't make it to the signing?

Find out more and read an excerpt here:  http://www.dbaileycoach.com/thinkentrepreneurbook.html

"Being an Entrepreneur your journey is often YOU, alone, with many decisions and feelings. "Think Like an Entrepreneur: Transforming Your Career and Taking Charge of Your Life" supports you and your next steps to live your dream" - Susan Vernicek, Founder and Owner of Identity Magazine 

This book is for you if you want:

    * Guidance on reinventing your career in spite of what may be going on in the economy
    * A blueprint for moving from employee to entrepreneur directly from someone who has experienced it
    * Clear steps for managing fear of failure and self doubt
    * Motivation to pick you up (and point you in the right direction) when you're facing the emotional and mental challenges that come with making life changes
    * To know how to think like an entrepreneur so that you can constantly increase your income and your opportunities!

"Along with an entrepreneur class in high school, "Think Like an Entrepreneur: Transforming Your Career and Taking Charge of Your Life" should be required reading. So many people choose a career based on making other people happy only to find that years down the road they are miserable. Imagine what the world would be like if everyone had the courage to begin their career following their dreams."  - Julie Barnes, writer, aspiring artist and author of "So You Want to Start a Business...Now What?"

How to Edit a Book

By Sophfronia Scott

Editing is a very necessary, yet most maligned step in book publishing. But, as I shared with my students in a recent Business Book Bootcamp class, I believe this comes from both fear and a misunderstanding of the editing process. Editing is the step that makes your book shine, so don't skip it even if the prospect of someone else handling your work has you clutching your manuscript with numb fingers! If you don't hire someone else to do it, you should know how to completely review your book with a critical eye. Here are the 3 levels of editing you'll want to work your way through:

1.) Editing for Content
This is where you'll question whether or not the book "works". Is the material communicated well? Is it organized properly? Are there any missing parts or unintentional repetitions?

2.) Editing for Length
No one wants to carry around War and Peace, so make sure your book isn't any longer than it needs to be.

3.) Copyediting (also considered line editing or proofreading)
This level of editing involves checking punctuation, spelling, grammar and usage as well as cross-references and consistency in how you use key terms.

If you carefully progress through these levels you should end up with a publishable manuscript. Yes, it's a lot of work, but you'll find in the end it's worth it to achieve a book you can be proud of. One last bit of advice: be willing to let go of your work. I know it's hard to cut when you've worked so diligently to produce the words. But in the words of Cornish writer Sir Arthur Quiller-Couch (1863-1944), you must be willing to "murder your darlings" and, I say, be confident that more will come again.

© 2010 Sophfronia Scott

Sophfronia Scott is Executive Editor of the Done For You Writing & Publishing Company. Learn what a difference being a published author can make for your business. Get your FREE audio CD, "How to Succeed in Business By Becoming a Bestselling Author" and your FREE online writing and book publishing tips at www.DoneForYouWriting.com.

Author Carol Hoenig at Borders on August 21st

Join Women Entrepreneurs Radio show guest, author and publishing consultant Carol Hoenig at Borders in Saratoga Springs, NY. She'll be discussing her journey as a writer and answering questions about publishing.

Date: Saturday, August 21, 2010

Time: 2:00 PM

Location: Borders
395 Broadway
Saratoga Springs, NY 12866

Telephone: 518-583-1200 (Borders)

Email: carolhoenig@carolhoenig.com

"How to Publish, Promote and Profit From Your Book in 2010"

Presented by Deborah A. Bailey

DATE: Tuesday, April 13, 2010
TIME: 8:00 p.m Eastern time
FEE: No charge

Writing a book is the main way to position yourself as an expert in your industry. But just writing a book isn't enough.

You also have to know what to do next...

Publishing - traditional or self publishing?
Promotions - how do you get your book into the hands of your target market?
Profiting - can you really make money with a book?

I've just written a book, "Think Like an Entrepreneur: Transforming Your Career and Taking Charge of Your Life" and within two weeks of completing it, I was booked for:

• an appearance on the Fox News Strategy Room national news program,


• three radio show interviews


• an assignment to write articles for Careerbuilder

All of that and my book hasn't even been published yet!

If you're a solopreneur you won't have the huge budget to put into producing and promoting your book. That's why you have to focus on how to leverage your expertise and use that to build demand.

In this teleclass I'll reveal what today's author has to create your media platform - using tools that you may already be working with.

Here's part of what you'll gain when you join the call:

* How you can get INSTANT media attention - but only if you have THIS

* Why you'll have to wait up to TWO years for your book to be published if you get a contract with a traditional publisher

* Which social media tool is still under the radar but is HEAVILY used by celebrities, entertainers and authors

* How your book can REALLY make you money - if you do THIS

* The TWO things you must include in your book - otherwise your book won't be taken seriously!

Reserve your "seat" NOW so that you can be sure to have a place on the call. (If you can't make the call, the recording will be available for 3 days after the teleclass.)

Register here today: http://www.dbaileycoach.com/Workshops.html

"See" you on the call!