As a child, you’re taught to avoid taking risks:
- “Never ride your bike without a helmet.”
- “Don’t talk to strangers.”
- “Never play with matches.”
By the time you enter high school, you’ve internalized hundreds of warnings:
- “Always buckle your seatbelt before driving.”
- “Don’t talk back to your teachers.”
- “Nothing good happens after midnight.”
While this well-meaning advice often proves practical and appropriate, the constant warnings create long-term consequences.
When you reach adulthood, these messages turn into limiting personal philosophies:
- “A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush.”
- “The grass is always greener on the other side of the fence.”
- “Slow and steady wins the race.”
Eventually, after absorbing decades of fear-based messages, you avoid all experiences without money-back guarantees.
You stop taking risks, and your progress stops.
You can’t seem to finish your novel, thinking “what if it’s terrible,” or “what if nobody buys it?”
You’re stuck at the same skill level, wondering how you could ever write the kind of prose you admire in others.
You’d rather avoid criticism, so you keep your work to yourself.
Avoiding risk seems like a natural inclination, and it’s culturally celebrated.
So, what’s the problem?
Writing requires risk at every stage of the game. Playing it safe means sitting on the sidelines, watching others learn, grow, and live out their best lives.
Risk-taking offers multiple benefits:
- Trying new things pushes you beyond your comfort zone. While scary at first, it’s essential for growth. Every time you expand your skill set, you increase your value as a writer.
- When you take risks, you learn to face your fears, becoming more comfortable with tricky situations. You also learn more about yourself and your unique capabilities.
- Taking a risk allows you to explore unfamiliar territory, such as a fresh writing genre or style. This helps you learn new storytelling methods, which will provide opportunities for honing your unique voice.
- There’s no greater teacher than experience. Every time you take a new risk, you learn from your mistakes. Put simply, increasing the number of mistakes offers greater learning opportunities.
- Putting yourself out there expands your visibility. It’s unavoidable. Embrace being seen (and judged) to stand out from the competition.
If you’re not making adequate progress, you’re not taking enough risks.
Let’s take a closer look.
Consider these eight recommendations for flexing your risk muscles.
Enter a Writing Contest
When was the last time you entered a writing contest?
High school?
Middle school?
So, what’s holding you back?
If you’re anything like me, you keep a backlog of finished and unfinished writing on your computer hard drive. If you’re old school, it’s aging in a drawer or gathering dust on a bookshelf.
I hate to think about the sheer volume of material I’ve written over the years. Much of it never sees the light of day.
Sound familiar?
Why not enter a writing contest?
You could find a home for those forgotten pieces, those poems, essays, and short stories you set aside months (or years) ago. You may even have a novel or two wasting away in those basement file cabinets.
Stephen King’s Carrie sat in a trashcan until his wife retrieved the pages and encouraged him to finish it.
Entering a contest offers multiple benefits:
- forcing you to finish your work,
- strengthening your risk-taking muscles,
- gaining valuable feedback,
- getting exposure in the marketplace,
- opening yourself to monetary and/or career rewards.
Contests can open doors for you, and they exist for countless categories, including journalism, fiction, short stories, poetry, memoir, full-length novels, blog posts, and more.
Submit Your Work for Publication in Literary Magazines and Journals
While you’re gathering materials for contests, consider submitting your work for publication. Today, thanks to the internet and social media, you have an unprecedented number of options.
Start researching literary journals in your target medium.
Literary magazines and journals launch innumerable careers.
And you don’t need a byline in The New Yorker, Harper’s, or The Paris Review to reap the benefits.
Literary journals provide wonderful opportunities for beginning and seasoned writers. After getting published, add the names of the periodicals to your resume. Highlight them on your bio, your website, and your marketing materials. Include them in your social media profiles across multiple channels.
Journals offer prestige as well as a quantifiable boost to your professional authority. Besides the status gains, each yes adds to your confidence level. Getting validation from a peer-reviewed journal shows you’re on the right track, that your spouse or best friend’s confidence is justified.
Imagine adding half a dozen literary journals to your LinkedIn profile!
Like writing contests, journals exist for countless genres and subgenres.
Find a Literary Agent
If you dream of a publishing deal with a Big Five publishing house (Penguin/Random House, Hachette Book Group, Harper Collins, Simon and Schuster, or Macmillan), you’re going to need an agent. Many mid-sized publishers require agents as well.
Like the music business, you’ll need an introduction from someone respected in the industry to act as a liaison. Agents work on a commission, so if you can find someone who believes in your work, the relationship benefits both parties.
If you want to traditionally publish, a good agent will work hard to secure the best deal for you. You’ll want a fair, equitable contract, and you’ll want to protect your rights in the short and long term. Agents will also handle difficult as well as everyday negotiations throughout your career with a publisher.
So, how do you, an unknown, unpublished author in small-town America, begin to find an agent?
Thanks to social media and the internet, you have lots of options.
The first step requires getting real about your product (your book) and figuring out how and where it fits into the marketplace. Get specific about the genre and its audience. Make a list of similar published books if you’re unsure. Research the genre and its subgenres.
Next, you’ll want to find agents who represent authors in your genre. There are many websites to help you with your research. Here are a few popular, free options:
Publishers Marketplace
Their member pages provide background information, submission guidelines, and contact information for literary agents. Begin your search here.
The Directory of Literary Agents
You’ll need to create an account to view the directory, but you’ll find lots of agents, their contact information, and instructions regarding how to query. If they’re not currently accepting submissions, they’ll indicate this clearly in their listing.
Poets and Writers Literary Agents Database
This database provides contact information for agents, submission guidelines, as well as the types of books they’re looking to represent.
After zeroing in on agents who represent authors in your genre, it’s time to submit a query letter. Please take this process seriously; you’ll want to make the best impression and show respect for the time and energy involved in carefully considering and responding to an author’s query.
For excellent advice, read Jane Friedman’s Complete Guide to Writing Query Letters. Jane’s an expert in the industry, and she won’t steer you wrong.
First-time author Ashley Allison found her agent on Twitter. Read her story “How to Find Your Agent in < 280 Characters” here.
Upgrade Your Skills
Have you always wanted to complete an MFA in creative writing? How about a bachelor’s in communications or journalism? If the traditional college route isn’t in the cards for you, don’t worry.
Options exist at every price point. Furthermore, time commitments vary as well.
Everywhere you turn, you’ll find diverse possibilities for honing your craft. Let’s begin with traditional avenues.
Traditional Education
Associate Degrees for Writers
Associate degree programs exist for English, journalism, media studies, film and theater, creative writing, communications, screenwriting, and many other options. Use your AA degree to deepen your knowledge, to test the waters for a bachelor’s degree, or to land an entry-level job in your industry.
Bachelor’s Degrees for Writers
Bachelor’s degree programs offer the greatest diversity, and they’re often required to work in professional writing capacities. Most colleges offer major concentrations in English, Communications, Journalism, Writing for Film and TV, among others.
Master’s Degree Programs for Writers
Master’s degree programs come in various forms. Some of the most common are the Master of Fine Arts (MFA) in Creative Writing, Master of Arts (MA) in English, and MA in Professional Writing.
An MFA in Creative Writing will focus on skills in a particular genre, such as fiction, poetry, nonfiction, or drama. These programs run for two to three years and involve writing workshops and critique sessions under the guidance of a professional writer or professor.
An MA in English focuses on literary analysis and theory, along with developing writing skills. It usually lasts two years, preparing students for careers in education, professional writing, or further academic study.
An MA in Professional Writing focuses on practical applications of writing in the workplace, including technical writing, grant writing, digital communication, and more. It’s typically a one to two-year program.
Admissions for these programs often require a bachelor’s degree, a high GPA, letters of recommendation, a statement of purpose, and a writing sample. Some may require GRE scores.
Check Out Online Writing Courses
Online, you’ll find countless options for writing courses. In addition to writing courses from accredited colleges and universities, you’ll find countless options for free and paid courses from online vendors.
Consider the following:
Coursera
Coursera offers a wide array of writing courses, both free and paid, from universities and institutions worldwide. The platform covers topics from creative writing to technical writing and academic writing. Paid courses often include a certification upon completion.
MasterClass
MasterClass offers paid courses taught by leading industry professionals, including renowned authors such as Margaret Atwood, Neil Gaiman, and James Patterson. These courses provide exclusive insights into the writing process of these world-class authors.
Udemy
Udemy is an online learning platform offering both free and paid courses in various disciplines, including writing. Courses range from fiction, non-fiction, business writing, to copywriting, and often include video lectures, resources, and assignments.
edX
edX, a platform created by Harvard and MIT, offers both free and paid courses from universities around the globe. You can take courses in essay writing, storytelling, grammar, and more. Some courses offer a verified certificate for a fee.
The Open University on FutureLearn
FutureLearn, in partnership with The Open University, offers a variety of free and paid online writing courses. These courses, often taught by university professors, can range from beginner to advanced levels, covering topics such as fiction writing, scriptwriting, and journalism. Some courses offer the option to purchase a certificate of achievement.
Read Books to Improve Your Writing Skills
If you don’t want to commit to an online course, you can learn from books. In addition to books focusing on the writing craft, investigate used college texts. These are the same titles used in college classrooms across the country.
Take on a Side Gig
As a writer, you’ve heard the popular adage “don’t quit your day job.” Whether well-meaning or spiteful, this maxim does little to bolster confidence in your hard-earned skill set.
At times, without realizing it, I’ve internalized the message, too.
Translation?
Writing is for dreamers; it’s a waste of time.
Ready for the truth?
For the last decade, I’ve made my living teaching writing. I spend each day immersed in language. I get to read, evaluate, and deconstruct the details of communication. I’ve taught high school English, but I’ve spent most of my career teaching college-level writing.
I love working on the front lines, experiencing writing from this unique vantage point. My students keep me on top of what’s happening, what’s working, what’s getting in the way.
While I help others hone their craft, I learn from the teaching process.
I’m living proof that there’s no single path to writing success.
Consider taking on a writing side gig to stay fresh in your field, to deepen your skills, and to earn some money.
The best part?
As a writer, you can earn money and still have ample time for your personal writing projects.
Common Side Gigs for Writers
Paraeducator
A para-educator is a teacher’s aide who works with students in a classroom setting. Sometimes called paraprofessionals or teaching assistants, para-educators work under the supervision of a licensed teacher, and their duties can vary depending on the needs of the students and the school district. However, common duties of a para-educator include working with small groups of students, helping individual students who need extra assistance, leading class activities, and supervising students during lunch or recess.
Although para-educators don’t need a teaching license, they must have at least 48 college credits or pass a state-approved para-educator examination. In some states, para-educators must also complete annual professional development courses.
Adjunct Professor
Adjunct professors typically teach one or two courses at a college or university per semester. They’re often part-time employees who hold other jobs, such as working in another field or teaching at multiple institutions. Pay varies, depending on the institution. Typically, these positions require a graduate-level college degree or a minimum of 18 graduate-level credits in your teaching discipline.
Copywriter
Copywriters create advertising and marketing materials. They craft compelling headlines, create original content, and produce catchy slogans. In short, they sell products and services through the power of persuasion. Most copywriters have a bachelor’s degree in English, Communications, or Advertising. Many also have experience working in the advertising or marketing industry before becoming a full-time copywriter.
While some copywriters work for ad agencies or marketing firms, many are self-employed and work from home, allowing them to set their own hours and take on as much or as little work as they want.
Editor
An editor oversees the final stages of production for a publication, including reviewing and making changes to the content, as well as working with designers to ensure the finished product meets the editorial standards. Editors need persuasive communication skills, an eye for detail, and the ability to work under pressure.
Here are four of the most common types of editors:
- Copy editors are responsible for catching grammar mistakes, typos, and other errors in a piece of writing. They often work with writers to help improve the overall clarity and quality of their work.
- Developmental editors focus on the bigger picture, such as the structure of a piece or the development of characters. They often work with writers to help them flesh out their ideas and make them more coherent.
- Line editors focus on the smaller details, such as sentence structure and word choice. They often work with writers to help them fine-tune their writing, making it more precise and effective.
- Proofreaders review copy for errors in grammar, punctuation, and spelling. In addition, they check for typos and inconsistencies. Proofreading is the last step in the editing process before publication.
Editors typically hold a degree in English, Journalism, or Communications. Some organizations may require a master’s degree or experience in a specific field. Most editors learn their skills through on-the-job training. Many start out as assistants to more experienced editors.
Ghost Writer
Ghostwriting is the process of creating custom content for a client. The client provides the writer with specific guidelines, and the writer creates the content accordingly. Ghostwriters create articles, blog posts, and/or full-length books. Many celebrities, politicians, and corporate executives hire ghostwriters to write their autobiographies and memoirs.
A ghostwriter will write a contract project in whole or in part. The contract between parties determines the level of a ghostwriter’s involvement. In some cases, the ghostwriter may simply edit and polish someone else’s work. The level of involvement dictates how much the ghostwriter charges.
Freelance Writer
Like ghostwriting, freelance writing is a type of contract work without a long-term commitment to a specific publication. Freelancers write for magazines, newspapers, and online publications. The biggest benefit of freelance writing is the flexibility it offers in terms of topic and schedule. With the right connections, experience, and talent, a seasoned freelance writer can make six figures.
Find a Mentor
Finding a writing mentor can prove invaluable for developing your craft and navigating a writing career. A mentor can provide personalized advice, critique your work, and connect you with opportunities you might not otherwise find.
Here’s a guide for finding a writing mentor online and offline:
Networking in Writing Circles
Attend local writing workshops, book clubs, seminars, or writing festivals to meet experienced writers who might be open to a mentorship. Engage in conversation, express interest in their work, and ask insightful questions to establish rapport.
Writing Courses and MFA Programs
Enroll in writing courses, creative writing programs, or Master of Fine Arts (MFA) programs to find qualified mentors. These programs often pair students with faculty mentors as part of the curriculum. This route requires substantial time and financial investment, but it can be worthwhile to improve your skills under the guidance of a seasoned writer.
Online Communities
Join online communities for writers on platforms like Reddit (subreddits like r/writing, r/writers), Facebook groups, LinkedIn, or Discord servers. These communities often include writers of varying experience levels willing to exchange feedback and mentorship. Keep in mind that not everyone in these communities will have the experience or the willingness to serve as a mentor, so be patient and respectful in your search.
Writing Contests and Mentorship Programs
Many literary journals, organizations, and online platforms run writing contests or mentorship programs that pair emerging writers with mentors. Examples include the Association of Writers & Writing Programs (AWP) Writer to Writer Mentorship Program and the WoMentoring Project. These programs can be competitive, so show your best work when applying.
Online Platforms
Websites like MasterClass, Coursera, or Udemy offer courses taught by established authors who share their knowledge and experiences. While this isn’t mentorship in the traditional sense, these platforms can offer a wealth of wisdom from some of the greatest writers in the world.
Professional Writing Organizations
Professional writing organizations often provide opportunities for mentorship among their members. Organizations such as the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI), the Horror Writers Association (HWA), and Romance Writers of America (RWA) have mentorship programs where new writers can learn from more experienced writers.
Literary Agents and Editors
Sometimes, literary agents and editors mentor writers they work with, especially if they see potential in their work. If you have a chance to connect with agents or editors, express your interest in mentorship.
Self-Publish Your Work
Have you considered self-publishing?
Today, thanks to digital technologies, self-publishing is accessible and widely accepted. You can publish work in varied formats, such as eBooks, print-on-demand books, and audiobooks. You can also publish on several platforms, including Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP), Smashwords, Lulu, and others.
Self-Publishing Benefits
Here are five key benefits of self-publishing:
You Control the Creative Process
Self-publishing allows you to maintain complete control over your work. You’ll have the final word on the content, cover design, book layout, and pricing. The freedom to make all creative decisions means the book can accurately reflect your artistic vision.
You Receive Higher Royalties
Traditional publishing houses typically offer authors between 10-15% royalties. In contrast, self-published authors can earn up to 70% royalties on eBooks on platforms like Amazon KDP. This higher profit margin means that even with fewer sales, you can still earn a significant income.
Your Book Becomes Available Immediately
Traditional publishing can be a long, tedious process, often taking months to years before your book arrives in bookstores. With self-publishing, you can publish instantly, making it available to readers worldwide.
You Have Access to a Global Market
Online self-publishing platforms enable you to distribute books globally. With eBooks and print-on-demand, you can reach readers in different countries without the hassles of international distribution agreements.
You Can Publish in Any Niche
Self-publishing allows you to write for niche audiences that traditional publishers might decide against because they’re too small or risky. You can cater to specific types of readers, creating an engaged readership.
Self-publishing democratizes the publishing process, providing authors with an accessible, cost-effective, and uncomplicated method to share their work. It offers creative control, higher royalties, speed, global reach, and the opportunity to address niche markets. While it demands the author to take on multiple roles, the rewards can be substantial and gratifying.
Consider Starting Over
Writing requires starting over.
Think about it.
Every day, you begin a new page.
Eventually, you’ll find yourself stuck.
You’ll cling to a book idea that isn’t working out.
You’ll wait too long for inspiration. You’ll wait too long to find a solution for a flawed story.
Too often, writers don’t advance because they’re afraid to go back to the beginning.
Starting over shows commitment to yourself, to your craft; it doesn’t mean you’ve given up or failed on a prior project.
Sometimes, you need to scrap an existing piece. If it’s not going anywhere, you may discover a solution, and that solution requires starting over at the beginning, with a new plot structure, a new character, or a new angle.
This happened a lot for me as an undergraduate.
I’d draft an essay, giving it everything I had. After letting it sit for a few days, I’d discover I could strengthen it by starting over, by refocusing the whole piece. And guess what? It was far easier than trying to bring the weak, meandering version to fruition.
When reality speaks to you, trust it. Sometimes, you’ll get a hunch–a quiet little nudge, saying, “this section can’t work” or “this character doesn’t work.” Click To TweetWhen reality speaks to you, trust it. Sometimes, you’ll get a hunch–a quiet little nudge, saying, “this section can’t work” or “this character doesn’t work.” When you hear that still, small voice, listen to it. There’s only one way to go: forward.
As writers, our books are like children. We can’t bear the thought of abandoning one of them. Try to shift your perspective. Detach a bit. Pretend you’re sending your child off to summer camp or boarding school, giving you time and headspace to raise your other children. When they return, and they do, you’ll find yourself ready to tackle the problems that rendered you stuck in the first place.
Consider the awesome power of taking risks.
Are ready to take the next leap in your writing journey?
Join the conversation below.
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