by Diana Black
If what follows doesn’t resonate with you, then do whatever does. The important thing is to be writing and working on your craft every day. You’ll never take yourself seriously or be taken seriously by others if you don’t start thinking and acting like a professional.
Ideally, at any one time you should be taking actionable steps on a daily basis – with any or all of the following: stories in ‘Creative Preparation’ stage, stories ‘In Development’ – either in the vomit (first) draft stage or being rewritten and polished. And finally, stories in ‘Pitch/Marketing’ stage – you’re pitching it/them directly or researching and/or organizing to market in some way. Your daily workload will of course depend on how many you have and in what stage.
Stories in ‘Creative Preparation’ stage are ideas/concepts in rough-note form. No matter how outrageous/silly these notes might be, don’t discard them – ever – lock them in a drawer. People know you’re a writer and such is expected of writers and you are one aren’t you? They’ll not suspect you of being a serial killer but mark it ‘fiction’ if you have to. Always have a notebook handy – jot down ideas, characters, events etc. – immediately – wherever you happen to be and whenever they present themselves. You’ll think you’ll remember that stupendous idea later but chances are you won’t.
