If you want to write for a living then the first thing you need to do is take yourself seriously, because if you do that then others will believe you are serious about your career as well.
It you treat your writing like a career then it will become one (it just might take awhile.)
Step One: Decide.
Decide if you want writing as a career. Decide that it’s worth your time, effort, and occasionally money.
Step two: Set Goals.
Goals are important. They are like your road map to your life. Even tiny goals like, do the dishes, take the dog for a walk, write 500 words are goals worth setting.
Step three: Track and Achieve your goals.
Setting goals is great, but you have to follow through and complete them. If you were never a goal setter, then start small and work your way up.
Step four: Connect and Learn
Connect with other writers. Join a critique group, attend a conference, go to workshops, do what you can to build a network and you will learn a lot in the process. It’s important to not just learn how to better your writing and submit correctly, but also learn about the industry-the business of publishing, the marketing of books. It’s good to know what’s going on and how it will affect you.
Step five: Read
Yes, read. Read books in your market so you know where your book falls. Read books on writing to improve your prose. Read submission guidelines (more than once) when you submit your work. Read to support your industry and other writers just like you.
Step six: Never give up.
If you are truly passionate about what you are doing, don’t give up. Believe in yourself, even when it seems impossible. If you listen to others who tell you your dream is a “pipe dream” then that is all it will ever be, but if you listen to yourself, believe in yourself, and put in the effort to further yourself, then you really can take a “pipe dream” and turn it into a dream career.
It was in 2007 when I finally decided to take myself seriously as a writer. One of the first things I did was go to the Willamette Writer’s Conference. Then, I joined a critique group. Since then I have met wonderful people, improved my writing, learned about the industry, and had a few nibbles on my book. I am still writing and still submitting and will keep doing so because I believe in myself and my dream.