Act Like a Pro

If you want to publish, then treat writing like a job, not a hobby.

I’m wearing a blue hoodie, the sweats I just worked out in, and a beanie. It’s flippin’ cold in here. And I’m working. From an office, at home.

Most days, a pair of sweats and a sweatshirt are my work clothes. I don’t dress like a corporate professional. But, I act like one.

If you are serious about writing as a profession, I think you’d better act like one too.

The Writing Professional

Several of the full-time freelance writers I know dress for the job. They’ll pull on pressed clothes, comb their hair, and add makeup just as they would if they were going to someone else’s office.

During an interview on my other podcast, Polly Campbell, Simply Said, freelancer Sherry Beck Paprocki told me she is in the habit of getting up and putting her work clothes on as a way of priming her mind for the work ahead. 

Every writer I know has their own habits and processes, but those who make a career in writing, act like professionals when negotiating fees, managing edits, meeting deadlines, and handling the other business aspects. 

Professional Habits

No doubt, writers have reputations. Just watch the reactions when you tell people what you do for work. But, if you want a career and the kind of reputation that brings income and publishing opportunities, you must take the business—and the editors and experts you work with—seriously.

Here are some things to keep in mind—and if they’ve made this list, you can bet many writers have already gotten them wrong. Don’t be one of them.

Get the names right. In letters, during podcasts, when pitching. Know who you are talking to, and spell and pronounce the name correctly.

Don’t take yourself too seriously, but do take the job very seriously. Stay away from gimmicks, Dad jokes, and other amateur approaches in your pitches or communication.

Negotiate yes, argue no. If you get a contract, you’ll want to negotiate payment and rights. But, if the editor suggests changes—especially in an article for a magazine—ask for clarification, but do not dicker. If you are writing for a specific magazine or corporate market, you are providing a product to the editor and the readers they know. Give them the product they want.

Ask questions before you start the work. Be sure you understand the scope of the project, the ideas the editor would like to see incorporated in the piece; your deadlines; additional elements like art, the bio, and sidebars; and any other details you need answered before beginning the piece.

Be accountable. If you are struggling with a piece or worried about making a deadline, communicate early with the editor. Do not make excuses. Ask for what you need, and give them the information they need to plan their pages.

Be on time. Truth is, I’ve heard other authors and writers say different things about deadlines. But for me, I think you need to hit them. When you miss a deadline, it changes the workload for scores of other people and can even change the appearance of a publication. Don’t miss them. Keep your commitment to the best of your ability. And yes, authors say book deadlines are more flexible. That hasn’t been true for me. And, I haven’t missed one yet.

Write to the word count. I don’t care how brilliant your writing is, if an editor wants 1,000 words on the topic, hit that mark. Three hundred words, do it. Your job is to make the editor’s job easy. If they have to wade through too many words to make the piece work, you probably won’t get another chance.

Proofread your work. Fact-check and proofread. Make sure your piece is clean so the editor can trust your work. We’ve all made mistakes on the page, and it is such an icky feeling to see one make it to print. But you can do a lot to minimize this kind of sloppiness by triple-checking and getting a set of independent eyes on your work before sending it through to the editors. It’s not only the editor’s job to catch typos and mistakes, it’s your job too.

—p

What’s in the Desk?

On the Simply, Write w/Polly Campbell podcast, we discuss the writing craft and crafting of a writer’s life, but we also talk about our favorite pens, trinkets, and tools writers like to have around in the What’s in the Desk segment.

So, what’s in my desk today?

My glasses. Yep. I’m officially of the age where my vision is changing, and spending hours in front of the computer monitor is not helping. It can impact our vision in a big way. I’ve got computer glasses that help me see the monitor and take some stress off my eyes.

Pro tip from my ophthalmologist: Take a break every hour to rest your eyes. Focus on something in the distance, let your eyes relax and go fuzzy for a few minutes, then blink a few times and get back to work. This regular practice will help us stay focused. Get it?

What’s in your desk—or on your desk? What do you like to have around when you write? Drop me a comment or shoot me a pic, and I will include it in an upcoming newsletter.

The Authenticity of Author Rachael Herron

“I give away everything I learn,” says bestselling author Rachael Herron.

And that generosity combined with her authenticity and expertise makes the interview with Rachael Herron a great listen.

Herron is the author of more than two dozen traditional and self-published books including “Hush, Little Baby,” and she’s also the host of the popular podcast “Ink in Your Veins.”

During our conversation, we discussed why authenticity matters in life and on the page and the importance of setting boundaries to protect your writing time.

“No tears in the writer, no tears in the reader. No surprise in the writer, no surprise in the reader.”

—Robert Frost