Tips on writing and craft from DiAnn Mills <\/p>\n

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January 2021 is the time to cast aside writing fears and move forward in your writing plans. A writing project has stalked you for weeks, months, and even years. You\u2019ve dreamed about putting thoughts into words for so long, it\u2019s become your go-to past time. Your heart aches with the passion to arrange words into sentences, paragraphs, pages, chapters, and maybe a book. The thought has nipped at your waking and sleeping hours until you\u2019re determined to make this year different from all the others: this year you will embrace the writing life.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

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But you\u2019re afraid. Beginning means setting out on a journey of the soul. The writer must rip the painful scars from her heart to bleed life experiences onto paper. What if you fail? What if the longing is a disguise for failure?<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

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Is there value in believing you have what it takes to become a professional writer? I\u2019m here to say yes! If the drive refuses to unchain you, the calling is real.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

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How do we ever know if an endeavor is worth the price unless we choose to chase the outrageous and risk defeat? I remember the sleepless nights, thinking about my desire to write and yet paralyzed with the thought. The first step is to release the chains preventing progress. <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

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The publishing world can be a scary place\u2014I\u2019m right there with you. Sometimes we writers feel like a tiny fish in a huge pond. We forget every big fish was once small. We all have to grow our skills, our brands, and our self-confidence to succeed in reaching dreams and goals.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

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What if you took a leap of faith into the unknown? What might happen? <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

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1. Embrace the decision to be a writer. The gift is a calling. Don\u2019t take the magnificence lightly. <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

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   1. Choose to learn the craft. Allot time every day to study the how-to books. Research online learning and choose what blogs, podcasts, and webinars fill your needs. <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

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      1. Analyze the many blogs available for the writer and the world of publishing. Select and follow those that are consistently professional, with respected authors and information.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

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         1. Invest in a highly respected writer\u2019s conference. <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

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            1. Evaluate current writing groups, online and live. Commit to participate. <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

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               1. Create an \u201cIdea\u201d folder for every project. Writing ideas come from the world around us\u2014from blogs to articles to books. <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

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                  1. Develop an author bio in various lengths.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

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                     1. Invest in a professional headshot. Keep it current.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

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                        1. Understand your priorities and stick by them. Life is filled with interruptions, and only we can decide which distractions are important and which are merely annoyances.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

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                           1. Establish a budget for your writing career; include a website, marketing, promotion, how-to books, reading, electronics, business expenses, and other miscellaneous expenditures. <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

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                              1. Prepare professional writing goals, ones that are attainable but require effort.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

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                                 1. List the writing projects that need research and calendar the work effort.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

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                                    1. Place readers above yourself. We write to address their needs. Discover those who crave what you have to offer.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

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                                       1. Prepare to enter the world of social media with a plan to work smart and develop a brand and platform. Focus your efforts where a minimum amount of time will achieve maximum impact.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

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                                          1. Vow to never stop reading and studying how to improve your writing career.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

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                                             1. Share what you learn with a serious writer. Pay the craft forward.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

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                                                1. Never give up on your writing dreams.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

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                                                   Dear writer, being frightened is a good thing, especially if we\u2019re able to harness the power of fear into a strength that helps us be successful. <\/span><\/span>So be afraid, writer. It will serve you. <\/span><\/span>What writing fears chase you?<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

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