Basic Skills Every Writer Must Possess Articles | Writing

By: Matthew Hick

Everyone thinks they can be a writer, but few have the talent or the persistence to actually become a professional freelancer. What does it take to make it in the writing biz? Here are a few of the traits that are absolutely necessary if you going to turn your dream of becoming a real writer into a reality:

Basic Grasp of the English Language
While it isn’t necessary to have a master’s degree in English to become a successful writer, you do need to have a basic grasp of the language and an understanding of grammar usage and punctuation. If you find your skills lacking in this area, take n English refresher course at your local community college and read a few writing how-to books to get you back on track.

Knowledge of the Business
While writing is an art form, it is also a business – or should be if you want to make a living at it. This requires learning what editors want – and how to give it to them. Do your research about each publication you contact. Know what style and tone they use and show the editor you approach that you can replicate their style with minimal effort.

Persistence
The writing life is full of disappointment and rejection. It is not uncommon to be rejected hundreds of times before your first sale, only to discover that the second and third sales take just as much hard work and persistence. If you don’t have the personality to stick it out and persevere, then this may not be the right career path for you.

A Willingness to Let Go of Your Work
Writers often believe that every word they put on paper should remain just as they wrote it for eternity. While it’s important to stick to your guns when you think an editor is changing the tone of your work too much, thus representing it or your sources unfairly, no writer should expect to see their work appear in a magazine just as they wrote it. Sometimes, you’ll barely recognize the piece, and you have to learn to live with that. After all, the magazine knows their readers best, and besides they own it now anyway, not you.

A Passion for the Work
The writing life often seems very romantic to the would-be artist: long days spent lounging in your pajamas “writing”; book signings; movie premieres; interviews on all the famous talk shows and so on. But, these accolades are for a select few, and without a true passion to write even the most famous among the writing world would grow tired of the long lonely hours spent churning out story after story with little praise or even acknowledgement. If you want to be a writer solely for the praise and money, then get out now!

A Strong Spine
As I said before, writers must live with constant rejection. It isn’t a career for the faint hearted and those who can’t stand for anyone to criticize their work – either deserved or not.