Whether you are a hobbyist or a professional writer, you’ll know that penning your magnum opus isn’t as easy as it sounds. Most writers often have a great idea in their minds, but they struggle to express it how they want when it comes to putting words on a page. So if you’re an aspiring writer who cannot wait to publish their first great novel, you’re not alone. But great things take time. At least that’s the advice celebrated author Steven Nickodemski has to share with you.
A published author who penned and self-published his memoir, The Marginalized Passenger, Steven’s work received great acclaim from readers and critics. Of course, most writers would happily accept a successful release under their belt, but he didn’t want his memoir to be his only contribution to the literary world. Instead, he always wanted to follow in the footsteps of his idols, Stephen King and Truman Capote. Hence, Steven has turned his attention to writing psychological thrillers.
Steven Nickodemski advises taking things easy and being kind to yourself if you still haven’t published your first great novel, even if you’re getting into middle age. After all, literary darlings like Frank McCourt and Richard Adams didn’t publish their first novels until they were already fifty. Similarly, you can take solace in the fact that Charles Bukowski was still working in a post office until he was fifty, especially if you fancy yourself as an author of dirty realism.
The good news is that Steven has several tips to help you excel as an aspiring writer. Firstly, he recommends learning the importance of time management. It’s something that has troubled Steven for a long time. Becoming a full-time writer means treating writing as a career. Thus, you must learn to balance writing with other commitments in life. However, this doesn’t mean sacrificing hobbies or social life because it’ll inadvertently affect your writing.
The writer also emphasizes becoming organized because it’ll help you maintain a streamlined approach to your work. He recommends creating an organizational system that allows you to manage projects, deadlines, and workflow effectively. More importantly, Steven also recommends creating a network of writers and editors. Writing can be a solitary business. Obtaining feedback and support from others in the industry can help you endure the more trying times. He also believes attending conferences and writing workshops is critical for aspiring writers.
Many aspiring writers are so obsessed with writing novels that they overlook the importance of developing their writing skills. The simplest way to become a better writer is to write more. As a result, consistent practice is crucial. Steven also believes the internet is a writer’s friend and recommends reading blogs on writing techniques and taking online classes to hone your craft. He also recommends aspiring writers find fellow writers with similar interests and communicate with them to exchange ideas.
However, at the end of the day, it’s important to remember that all great things take time. Writing a book is like planting a seed in your garden. You can’t expect it to blossom into a tree overnight. Likewise, great things take time and aren’t accomplished overnight. He also emphasizes the importance of setting realistic expectations and leaving room for mistakes and setbacks. Your first, second, third, and maybe even fourth draft might not be the best. But they’re part of the learning process, contributing to your fifth draft being ready for publishing.
Undergoing these experiences is also why Steven advocates the importance of learning resilience because it’s an essential skill every author must master. Writers can easily get stuck in a rut and lose sight of their goals. Resilience is crucial because it pushes them past the most challenging times, allowing them to continue even when the going gets rough.
