An Old Song
Years ago I took a magazine writing course from a teacher who was the rarest of his kind – he was not only a superb teacher he was an excellent practitioner of his craft. He led us through a series of exercises which included the writing of a query letter to a magazine publisher. I remember being very excited when – as a result of that in-class exercise – I sold my first article. The penny had dropped. People actually would pay me for my words. And in that moment, it was the beginning of the end of my toiling on the dark side.
Now the road from magazine writing to freelance speech writing was long and circuitous. But I still remember that teacher’s class and the passion he had for his craft and how he could instill in us a similar passion. I also remember looking around the class one day and wondering how many of the students – there were about 22 of us – would actually take his advice – his expert advice – and apply it for themselves.
I have since been a teacher myself for many years teaching both the craft of speech writing and giving courses on professional readiness and on finding work. On the first day I always look around and wonder how many of my students will apply the practical skills that I try to teach them. Actually the skills are the easy part to learn. The hard part is infecting them with a sense of excitement in possibilities.
I can know within days who is going to make it in the short term and who is not. There is a certain look in the eye. I see a passion or a hunger or a curiosity or a fear. When they exhibit any one of these traits alone, or in combination, I know “this one ‘gets it’ and this other one doesn’t and isn’t going to make it -
at least not yet.” I also know that it isn’t necessarily the most talented writers/students who will succeed. It is those who are persistent, proactive, and professional and passionate that will do well.
So if you aren’t succeeding in your writing career I ask you why not? You don’t even have to take a class. There are excellent books on marketing for writers. (If you go to my web site you’ll find some recommendations.) So it isn’t as if there is a dearth of information out there.
So let me repeat those four “P.” words. If you are persistent, proactive, passionate and professional there is no way you can’t succeed in making not just a good living – but a very good living as a professional nonfiction writer. First find your passion. Take some proactive marketing steps so that your name gets known. Be persistent. And when you get work make sure you are professional and deliver the goods.
It is as simple as that. And as hard as that.