Can I become an author? – Just follow the 5 rules! - By: JayaKumar Patchala

We have seen a lot of seemingly plain and uninspired authors get publishing contracts from publishers while other dazzling wordsmiths fail to to see their work in print even once.
According to Stanford psychology professor Carol Dweck, it is quite natural to question one’s talent. In his publication, Mind-set: The New Psychology of Success, research reports reveal that in academics, arts or trade, people who opine that talent has to be inborn fail to develop their potential to full extent and seldom recoup from early disappointments.
On the flip side, people who think that aptitude can be refined or developed, achieve a lot regardless of where they start from and also help their children or staff to absorb the same success spirit.
Here’s an example of how you can change your mind-set about ‘aptitude’ or ‘intelligence’. A set of children was told that like the rest of the body, brain muscles also develop with practice. In less than 2 months, their general grades improved from F’s to B’s.
So just get rid of the thought of whether you do or do not have talent. Instead, just learn the following set of skills:
1. Be sensible with the difference between words. When not sure, just grab a good dictionary and it will help you out. For example, a ‘cauldron’ is not a ‘kettle’. Always use the correct word wherever required. For example, you should know when to write ‘bravery’ and where to use ‘bravado’.
2. Understand the reader’s perspective. Does the reader get what you want to convey? If a reader doesn’t ‘get it’ then probably you should rewrite it. This advice may be hard for writers who are too passionate about their writing style. You may fail to see the reader’s perspective. Having a matter-of-fact approach towards writing may help.
3. Revise. Be prepared to put aside your writing for some time and take a fresh look at it again from a reader’s view-point). Revise the plot. Reorganize, rework and tell the story more lucidly.
4. Always keep your spelling and syntax right. Once your work is accepted for publication, an editor will go through your writing and save you from any major flaw. But editors prefer to work with those who try and maintain the required hygiene of professional writing.
5. Bounce back. In the profession of writing, you’re bound to face rejections. Don’t be too disappointed. To be a successful writer, you should have the capability of bouncing back from every setback. Don’t take these little rejections personally. Move on to the next publisher or your next writing project.
To be a professional writer, these 5 skills can do a lot than ‘talent’. So buckle up and work upon these basics. Adhere to these five principles and you’ll surely end up being a good writer. Just do it.

About the Author

Sunil K Poolani is CEO of Leadstart Publishing, A mumbai based book publishing company. website: http://www.leadstartcorp.com, email: info@leadstartcorp.com

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