Creative writing is a rather broad term that can cover a variety of different genres, such as novels, short stories, or non-fiction. It can also refer to works that combine different types of writing—in other words, creative writing can be a rather flexible genre.
To succeed as a creative writer, you will need to put in the effort and be persistent. However, this is a rather tricky endeavor for many people, as it can be rather difficult to break into the field. Below, we will discuss the odds of succeeding in creative writing and offer some tips on how to improve your prospects of commercial success.
The Odds Of Succeeding As A Creative Writer
Let’s start by taking a look at the odds of succeeding as a creative writer. There are several variables that can affect your chances of becoming a professional creative writer, and we will discuss a few of them below.
The Setting You Are In
This might seem obvious, but it is crucial to point out that the setting you are in can have a significant impact on your ability to succeed as a creative writer. When you write fiction, you will need to bear in mind the kind of setting you are creating, as well as the atmosphere that you are aiming for. For instance, if you are writing historical fiction, you should make sure that the language you are using is appropriate for the time period you are covering. Sometimes, the most effective way to tell the story is through dialogue, rather than through the narrative of the story itself. If you are writing in a completely different setting—such as science fiction or fantasy—you can use your own unique vocabulary and grammatical structures to put your own spin on the story. Of course, there will be rules that you need to follow, such as the Golden Heading rule—never, ever use a title page, as this will break the illusion of authenticity that your readers should experience while reading your work.
The Genre You Are In
This refers to the genre you are trying to write in, which will greatly influence the kind of stories you can produce as well as how you need to approach them. Popular genres, such as thrillers or horror, will require you to put in the effort to make your stories more exciting, as these are always the kinds of stories that attract audiences and can lead to commercial success. Thrillers, for example, usually involve an intense pace that will keep your audience on the edge of their seats—hence the name!—while horror stories usually require a clever and intuitive use of the English language to instill a sense of dread in the minds of your readers. If you are writing non-fiction, you will need to make sure that the facts you are using to support your argument are accurate and reliable—this is especially important if you are writing for an academic audience.
Your Experience
Even if you have never written a word before, you can still aspire to be a professional creative writer. The good news is that, nowadays, with the internet making information accessible to almost everyone, the opportunity for previously undiscovered writers is at an all-time high. If you have a good idea for a novel but lack the necessary experience, you can always take a creative writing course to develop your skills and learn from more experienced colleagues. Even if you do not complete the course, you will have the opportunity to network with professionals in the field and gather valuable feedback that you can use to improve your work. Do not be discouraged if your work is not accepted initially—many experienced writers have gone through the same thing—as long as you keep at it, you will eventually succeed in your goal.
Tips For Improving Your Chances Of Succees As A Creative Writer
If you are determined to succeed as a creative writer, there are a few tips that you can follow to maximize your chances of being commercially viable. First, establish your credibility early on—most likely, you will need to publish something before you can actually be considered a professional in your field. Many reputable publications are available online, which you can use to build your audience and gain credibility. Second, when submitting your work for publication, make sure to follow the correct guidelines—this will also help you avoid any unpleasant surprises later on when editors and agents decide to reject your manuscript. Last, but not least, put in the effort to build a solid foundation of knowledge in your chosen field.
So, now that you are hopefully convinced that you can succeed as a creative writer, congratulations! You have all the necessary tools to be successful. In the next section, we will discuss some of the common pitfalls that new writers experience and how you can overcome them effectively.