10 Proven Ways to Jumpstart Your Writing Career

A few times a year, someone I know - a friend, cousin, neighbor, dental hygienist, etc. -  confesses they’d like to write a book. They mention how they've heard about my upcoming release, The Truth About 5th Grade, co-written by me and Mark Parisi (summer 2024, HarperCollins). 

by Mark Parisi

Or they mention my award-winning books with Chronicle or one of the writing classes I teach.  

All ask the big "H" question - “how”. How do you write books and/or have a successful writing career?

I love sharing goals and dreams with friends, so the question is a huge compliment!

My most recent email sounded like this: 

Hey Kim! I know you are a writer, correct? I am thinking of writing a true life story. Any pointers you can give me? How do I go about presenting to a publisher? Is it best that I get a writer to assist me in my story? Any help/guidance would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

Here’s my evolving answer. I hope the following information is useful to you, too:

I'm happy to hear you're interested in writing a book. Good for you to ask questions early! When I decided I wanted to write, I spent a year creating a 60,000 word novel. After I finished, I read a book on craft and talked to experienced writers—that’s when I discovered the one-million things I did wrong, haha—oh well! The best thing I did was sitting my butt in a chair and getting started. Here are my recommendations:

1. BIC (butt in chair). Have a goal of how many words a day you plan to write and do it (by the way, word count is where it's at; not page count). Set aside a time every day to write and commit to that schedule. For me, it is first thing in the morning. One of my friends writes at night after everyone has gone to bed. 

2. Join an Organization. Join a genre-specific organization and participate in activities and events. I write children's books, so I joined the SCBWI (Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators). There are many organizations. It might take a bit of research for you to find the right fit (Romance Writers of America; History Writers of America, Science Fiction Writers of America, etc.).

3. Connect with Other Writers. Research to see if anyone in your area hosts a writers connection event (a writer get-together). When I lived in Colorado, I co-hosted a Connect for SCBWI members who lived in Boulder area. The other co-host and I picked a topic and moderated a group discussion. We covered novel structure, character development, craft book discussions, goal setting, etc. Now that I live in Phoenix, and I co-host a Write Night.

4. Read: Find craft blogs and read, read, read. My blog is geared toward children's book writers and readers. I post book recommendations, interviews with agents and editors, and writing tips. I like the SCBWI blog by Alice Pope, and several others such as Deborah Halverson's Dear Editor. I also like Adventures in Children’s Publishing, and one by Nathan Brandsford.  In addition to blogs, read craft books like SAVE THE CAT by Blake Snyder, or WIRED FOR STORY by Lisa Cron, or SCENE AND STRUCTURE by Jack Bickham, or THE BREAKOUT NOVELIST: Craft and Strategies for Career Fiction Writers by Donald Mass, or Everybody Writes: Your New and Improved Go-To Guide to Creating Ridiculously Good Content by Ann Handley.

5. Find or form a critiquing group. This is crucial! It takes a village to write a great book—your village starts with your critique group. A good critique partner tells you about your glows and grows. I like the sandwich method—that's when you begin by talking about what you specifically like and what works well and even why you think it works well; next you discuss what needs work and why (in your opinion); lastly, close with something specific and positive. If you can't find an in-person critiquing group, there are many on-line forums.

6. Social Media. Find a social media forum that fits your style and “follow” a focused base of people who are experts, consumers, and also novices in your field—through them, you can stay on top of what is relevant—i.e. conference chatter, or when is the so-and-so book award coming out, or when is Dear Editor giving away a free critique, or what's the latest in Publishers Marketplace, or what did so-and-so say this time.

7. Subscribe. Consider a subscription to Writer's Digest, Poets & Writers, or Publishers Marketplace. Subscribe to the free email offered by Publishers Lunch.

8. Attend a conference. The knowledge you'll gain at a conference will close the learning gap quickly (craft, formatting, word count, looking professional, how to, and more). Also attend a writing workshop, one that is craft and feedback focused.

9. Podcasts. Listen to Grammar Girl podcasts and become familiar with The Punctuation Guide, then forgive yourself for how many things you get wrong (but fix them).

10. READ read and read. Reading is important to mention a second time! Be a good literary citizen. Good writers need to be avid readers first, especially in the genre they want to write. It is bananas to me when someone says they want to write a children's book, yet all they read are adult books. The best writers are readers first.

Good luck! I look forward to seeing your name listed under New York Times Bestsellers.

A Fresh Perspective on How to Write a Query Letter

I’ve seen a lot of “Query Letter” posts, but none like the one Chuck from Writer's Digest features on his blog at Writers Unboxed. His article focuses specifically on writing that last paragraph—the bio section—of the query letter, and he gives a fresh perspective on the “do’s and don’ts”. It’s definitely worth a read:

See link: http://writerunboxed.com/2013/05/27/may-2013/comment-page-3/#comment-396428

HERE’S A QUICK LOOK AT THE COMPOSITION OF A QUERY:

There are many many many…many blog posts on how to write a query (I’ve listed several links at the bottom of this post) But if you’re craving a quick rundown, here we go:

I.                    Firstly, personalize your letter—Dear, Jen. NOT Dear, Agent.

II.                 Secondly, limit your query to one page. Have white space so it looks reader-friendly; and break it down to three simple paragraphs—the hook, the book, and the cook.

A.     Paragraph One (the hook):

Your first line can tell the agent why you queried them: Thank you for speaking at Big Sur in the Rockies. I blah blah blah w/you. Or: I enjoyed your interview on such-and-such blog and …

The next line is where you include your hook, title, genre and the word count of your book.  Please consider my 70,000 word count YA novel THE UNACCOUNTED. It's teenage Jason Bourne meets The Prisoner of Zenda.

(In addition to saying if your book is YA or Middle Grade, include if it is fantasy, magical realism, paranormal, science fiction etc. as relevant).

B.     Paragraph Two (the book):

Write a paragraph about your manuscript that reads like jacket flap copy (present an exciting glimpse of the story without giving up the ending). A jacket flap describes the story in such a gripping way that book store browsers slap down some cash to buy the book. Agents may use this copy to help present your book to a publishing house, so create a compelling and tight paragraph.

A.     Paragraph Three (the cook):

This is your biography, and nobody explains the “how’s” better than Chuck, so please visit his blog.

III.              Thirdly, be professional, know the business, be courteous, and close with your name and contact information. 

Good Luck!!! 

Bonus info:

The above “hook” was an actual pitch by David Lipsky and Darin Strauss's for THE UNACCOUNTED and this title will be available in bookstores winter 2013. 
More on "high concept" hooks, please visit my link about high concept hooks and pitches. 

 More discussion on queries can be found:

http://kimscritiquingcorner.blogspot.com/2012/01/dispelling-rumors-and-myths-about.html

How to write a query links:

Nathan Bransford

Query Shark (this is a great blog where writers can receive feedback)

Agent Query

Jill Corcoran

Mary Kole

Thirteen Reasons to Continue Pursuing Your Dreams

Lucky elephant can be purchased here

Have you spent years chasing the dream of seeing your book published?  2013 is NOT the year to give up; it's the year to rev up!

If you've tried to hook an agent or an editor without traction, don't take this as a sign to close shop and give up.  Instead take it as an invitation to try things in a different manner.

PART ONE: ideas on how you can get out the rut that has left you without a book deal;
PART TWO: thirteen motivational quotes on determination.

Consider adding the following to your arsenal of ideas:

• Join or start a critiquing group. You can start slow and join one of the many online critiquing groups, or you can take out an ad in a trade publication; 
• Attend a writer's conference.  The SCBWI offers local and international conferences for children's book writers. Mystery writers can enjoy a conference offered by MWA,  and Romance writers as well as many other genre specific writers can experience a great event through Writer's Digest annual conference;
• Participate in schmoozes.  Many writer's organizations offer free monthly or quarterly schmoozes.  Topics include: creating compelling characters; writing query letters; first pages; etc.;
• Read more books in your genre.  If you want to write books for middle grade readers, read more books in that genre;  
• Ask your local librarian what needs are not being fulfilled; 
• Read a current craft book;
• Attend a workshop; 
• Visit professional help sites like Dryden Books or The Purple Crayon to possibly engage in one of their service offerings; 
• Participate in a webinar.  Travel is expensive, whereas a webinar is an event in which you can participate from the comfort of your living room.  Google "writer's webinars" to find current listings;
• Subscribe to a trade magazine to keep your creativity juices pumping;
• Get business savvy and read blogs as well as Do's and Don't's Lists. There are a lot of blogs on how to write a query letter.  Make sure your query letter follows guidelines. Make sure your manuscript is professionally formatted and ensure your word count is appropriate for the genre (i.e. I doubt a publisher would consider a 3000 word picture book when the word count limit is generally 500-1000 words max);
• Participate in events to keep ideas fresh. For example you can visit Julie Hedlund's blog and learn how to participate in her 12x12 event for picture book writers.  Here you will receive critiques and attention from some of the top agents in the industry;
• Participate in online chat groups centered around your writing interest. Twitter offers great forums like #kidlitchat , #yalitchat and #indiechat. You simply set up a Twitter account, and enter #kidlitchat in the search to see when the chat groups meets (the kid lit group meets on Tuesday evenings at 6pm Pacific Time and 9 PM Eastern Standard Time);



Read books in your genre

• Don't give up. I can't believe that a dream would be placed in your heart if you were not meant to pursue it, so read the "perseverance" quotes below and stay motivated. This is your year!   

Participate in Julie Hedlund's event 12x12!!!

1.    Perseverance is the hard work you do after you get tired of doing the hard work you already did. - Newt Gingrich

2.    Others can stop you temporarily - you are the only one who can do it permanently. - Zig Ziglar

3.   Our greatest glory is not in never failing, but in rising up every time we fail. - Ralph Waldo Emerson

4.      The difference between the impossible and the possible lies in a man's determination.
- Tommy Lasorda

5.      The difference in winning and losing is most often not quitting. - Walt Disney

6.      The human spirit is stronger than anything that can happen to it. - C C Scott

7.      Constant dripping hollows out a stone. - Lucretius

8.      It's hard to beat a person that never gives up. - Babe Ruth

9.      The train to success usually runs on the track of determination. - Poh Yu Khing 

10.  If you have the will to win, you have achieved half your success; if you do not, you have achieved half your failure. - David Ambrose

11.    You may have to fight a battle more than once to win it. - Margaret Thatcher

12.  You've got to get up every morning with determination if you're going to go to bed with satisfaction. - George Lorimer

13. J.K. Rowling had twelve rejections, but she persevered…it’s when she tried her thirteenth  publishing house that she got her yes!