Writing tips from best selling Texas author DiAnn Mills<\/p>\n

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We live in a comfortable society. But that can be dangerous for writers who choose complacency rather than pouring a steady stream of effort into their writing. Success happens when a writer\u2019s goal is to always move forward by improving craft, marketing, and professionalism. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

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Have you ever met a writer who expected and demanded results from readers, other writers, and those involved in the profession without doing their share of the work? It\u2019s a sad case of entitlement and can occur among writers of all levels. We cheer the ones who early on recognize a too-comfortable, smug, and self-satisfied attitude and change before rigor mortis appears in their writing career.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

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What are signs a writer may be headed toward a shattered professional life?<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

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1. My last book did well. I see no reason for me to fix what\u2019s not broken. I\u2019ll simply slap on a new title and tweak the current content. In fact, I\u2019ll make a template for this book project, and the rest of the manuscript will come.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

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   1. I\u2019m tired of social media. Honestly, interacting with my audience takes time. They can find someone else to answer their questions. Besides, I have no clue if they\u2019re even buying my book. The social media guideline that posting is \u201cnot about me\u201d didn\u2019t take into consideration my apparent success.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

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      1. If the publisher wants to edit my work, I\u2019m good with it. It takes too much time for me to edit and re-edit. What\u2019s important is my name on the cover.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

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         1. Attend a writing conference? Are you kidding? If I\u2019m not teaching at a writer\u2019s event, then I\u2019m not going. I already know it all.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

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            1. The last thing I intend to do is help another writer. What a waste of time. And what if I gave away my secrets to success and that writer sells more books than I have?<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

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               1. I\u2019m done with healthy eating and exercise stuff. All the hype about not being able to write well when our bodies are out of shape is just a lie. Bring on the burgers, fries, and milkshakes.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

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                  1. I\u2019m donating all my writing books. Not needed for someone of my caliber. Another thought is to sell them since I read and applied the information. <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

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                     1. Meeting deadlines is just for new writers. My publisher knows I deliver an excellent book when I\u2019m good and ready to send it in.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

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                        1. Career counseling? Who needs it? I\u2019m set with my brand. Readers will devour my books just because my name is on them.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

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                           1. Time to increase my advance and raise the percentages on my royalties. Better yet, where are my movie contracts?<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

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                              I hope you\u2019re laughing at the above ten danger signs of a complacent writer. Below are three signs of a successful writer.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

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                              • I pledge to daily increase my knowledge of the craft, marketing, social media, and the publishing industry.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n
                              • I pledge to reaching out to readers, provide information to better their lives, and create stories that entertain, inspire, and encourage them.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n
                              • I pledge to pay it forward to new and struggling writers so readers will continue to enjoy books long after I\u2019m gone.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

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                                I challenge you, dear writer, to strive for a career that increases your skills, invites new readers, and pays it forward to the next generation of writers.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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