Hello, I’m Laura and I’m a writer.
I write poetry, short stories, non-fiction and novels. Anyone who knows me knows I spin a lot of balls, juggle a lot of hats, wear a lot of plates.
Wait, I got things a little confused there. That happens.
So many of us, while getting started in writing, have a lot of responsibilities to work around. As well as a writer, I’m also a mum, a teacher, a workshop facilitator and app developer. But I try to write as much as possible. It’s hard, but the more time goes on, the more I realise how important it is to make the time for it.
It’s funny how much is involved in being a writer that doesn’t actually involve writing. I joke that I have a low boredom threshold. That’s probably just as well. To be a successful writer – whether you’re self-published or traditionally published, you have to do a lot of other things as well. Along with the writing, comes the editing. Any writer worth their salt also does a lot of reading (ideally among different genre and perhaps also writing and style guides). Then there’s the getting yourself and your work out there. Submissions to writing magazines, agents, publishers. Performance and networking events, workshops.
If you’re self-published, there’s learning how to market yourself: Amazon AMS, Bookbub ads, Facebook advertising. KickStarter is a surprisingly fun way to get the word out about new projects, I’m discovering. Feel free to have a peek at the KickStarter I set up as an example of what you can do:
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/figmentbooks/audio-book-creation-wellspring-and-magpie-mind
There’s always new things to learn! I’ll be reflecting as I go along, and sharing it with you in these e-mails.
Sometimes, yes, you feel you’re stretching yourself thin. It’s entirely possible that this isn’t the best or most effective way of being a writer. But it’s the way I’m doing it. It’s the way a lot of independent writers do it. If you want to give it a go, or if you’ve already started out, then I recommend you join Facebook groups for self-published writers. You’ll find your tribe. You’ll find support, encouragement and tips on all aspects of the industry.
I wouldn’t do it unless I loved it.
It’s fun. It’s exhilarating! And I’ve met a lot of interesting people on the way. Many of them have become friends.
Thanks for joining me on the journey.
Happy writing!
Laura
I write poetry, short stories, non-fiction and novels. Anyone who knows me knows I spin a lot of balls, juggle a lot of hats, wear a lot of plates.
Wait, I got things a little confused there. That happens.
So many of us, while getting started in writing, have a lot of responsibilities to work around. As well as a writer, I’m also a mum, a teacher, a workshop facilitator and app developer. But I try to write as much as possible. It’s hard, but the more time goes on, the more I realise how important it is to make the time for it.
It’s funny how much is involved in being a writer that doesn’t actually involve writing. I joke that I have a low boredom threshold. That’s probably just as well. To be a successful writer – whether you’re self-published or traditionally published, you have to do a lot of other things as well. Along with the writing, comes the editing. Any writer worth their salt also does a lot of reading (ideally among different genre and perhaps also writing and style guides). Then there’s the getting yourself and your work out there. Submissions to writing magazines, agents, publishers. Performance and networking events, workshops.
If you’re self-published, there’s learning how to market yourself: Amazon AMS, Bookbub ads, Facebook advertising. KickStarter is a surprisingly fun way to get the word out about new projects, I’m discovering. Feel free to have a peek at the KickStarter I set up as an example of what you can do:
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/figmentbooks/audio-book-creation-wellspring-and-magpie-mind
There’s always new things to learn! I’ll be reflecting as I go along, and sharing it with you in these e-mails.
Sometimes, yes, you feel you’re stretching yourself thin. It’s entirely possible that this isn’t the best or most effective way of being a writer. But it’s the way I’m doing it. It’s the way a lot of independent writers do it. If you want to give it a go, or if you’ve already started out, then I recommend you join Facebook groups for self-published writers. You’ll find your tribe. You’ll find support, encouragement and tips on all aspects of the industry.
I wouldn’t do it unless I loved it.
It’s fun. It’s exhilarating! And I’ve met a lot of interesting people on the way. Many of them have become friends.
Thanks for joining me on the journey.
Happy writing!
Laura
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