Now that the holidays are over, it’s time for me to get back on track with my posts here at the NAF. I’m sorry I missed a couple of them, but given the season we just went through, I hope it’s understandable. I had more business to take care of than usual, which means that some things got put on the back burner.
As an author, it’s imperative to make time for the business side of writing as well as the art itself. Marketing, keeping up to date on your sales reports, and communicating with your peers (i.e. editors, publishers, agents, and other authors) are all musts when you step into the world of professional writing. When you’re writing for a hobby, you’re free to write whenever and wherever you like without having to put much thought into other things. But when you publish, you have to start treating your writing just like any other job: as work.
Now, this is not to say that writing can’t be fun. If it’s not fun, then something in the picture’s not right. But new responsibilities surface during the transition from writer to author. In order to be successful, you have to treat these obligations seriously. Sometimes, that means telling your loved ones that you have to spend time away from them. This can lead to some heartache, but usually family and friends are good about coming around.
Just make sure you can handle the obligations you signed on for. If at any time you find yourself unable to handle it all, find out where you can cut back. Remember, balance remains the key in most things. Find your balance, and success will not be far behind.
The New Authors Fellowship 