If you were to apprentice as a plumber, there would be certain tools you’ll need, right? A wrench, perhaps. Pipe, maybe. In my case, wader boots. Similarly, a writer who aspires to a long and fruitful publishing career will need a few things, whether that person hopes and plans to become a novelist, columnist, or something else.
And yes, yes, I know, some smart aleck in the blogosphere has already suggested “pen, paper, computer, and printer.” Maybe even “brain, fingers, keyboard.” I get it. Very clever. But I’m talking about other tools of the trade that, surprisingly, many aspiring and developing writers ignore or neglect. I’ve even been surprised on occasion to discover that writers of a more sophisticated and accomplished ilk (such as those who use the word “ilk” from time to time) lack some of the following. But at least in one writer’s long and varied career (mine), the following have proved their worth many times over:
A library card
Once upon a time, people borrowed books from institutions called libraries. They also received research help from the reference desk. And sometimes even perused wonderful used-book sales once or twice a year. Those practices still exist, and libraries have expanded the services they offer. I no longer have the research desk on my speed dial (remember speed dial?), but I use my library card to borrow ebooks and audiobooks on apps such as Hoopla and Libby.
A website
Many people make the mistake of thinking they’ll launch a website for their writing after their debut book is released. That’s a mistake. A quality author website doesn’t have to be expensive or extensive, but it can help to promote your writing and expand your tribe.
A professional head shot
Yes, you could have your aunt take your photo on your smart phone and use it as a head shot, but don’t. I beg you. A good writer deserves a good head shot, for use not only on the back covers of all of the books you’ll be selling and publishing but also for your book proposals’ author section, website, blog, social media, speaking-engagement announcements, article blurbs, and so on.
A professional email address
I still regularly encourage excellent writers to ditch the AOL or Yahoo email address for something that makes a professional impression. And I’m always surprised when I encounter someone who has a website (such as bobhostetler.com) but still uses a Gmail address for their writing. It’s not hard to “point” your email through your website address.
A business card
It’s also not hard or expensive to produce a professional business card for your writing ministry (ideally with your head shot—see above—on it). I’ve used various services, including local print shops and Moo.com.
A filing system
Do you have a file cabinet? Or a box for your files? Something else? If you haven’t discovered it already, you will soon: A writer who is producing ideas and copy and proposals and manuscripts and contracts and bank statements and tax returns and so on needs some place to put those things. Some place they can be quickly and easily found in the future. Some place besides the grocery bag at the back of your closet. You know who you are.
A to-do list
I wrote a little about this item in my post “Stop Procrastinating—Right Now.” So I won’t go on at length in this post. But the tasks a productive writer must accomplish are so numerous and varied (first draft, second draft, proofreading, editing, reviewing edits, cashing huge checks, etc.) that a to-do list of some kind is essential.
A reminder method
The busier you become as a writer, the more difficult it is to remember everything. Did I make those corrections? Did I call her back? What was that phrase I wanted to remember for my WIP? Some writers use the “reminders” function on their phone. Others plaster Post-It notes on their computer screen. I use my bullet journal and a “bring-up” file, also called a “tickler file” by some (explained in detail in this post). For certain reminders, I also set occasional alarms on my phone to jog my memory.
What about you? Agree? Disagree? Have something else (or better) to add to the list? Let me know in the comments, and you could win the illegible Post-It note that was in my “bring-up file” this morning.
I don’t have a real website
(unless you count my blog)
and the only pic in site
is one taken of my dog.
There’s no need for a business card,
for cows are all I meet,
and so I’m hoist on my petard
if I stroll down Writers’ Street,
but I’m no writer, anyway;
can’t say just what I am
as with rhyming words I play,
so I’ll knock back a wee dram,
then finding back, pat myself on it,
and pen for ye another sonnet.
One other tool that I use frequently is the phrase “I’m working.” I say this to my husband, who is retired and shares a home office with me. If I don’t say it at the beginning of a session, he peppers me with questions and comments and requests to do just one little task. This boundary is very hard to practice for both of us, but my alternative is doing my writing in the cold basement, which neither one of us wants.
I feel like the “rich young ruler” who asked Jesus, “What do I need to be perfect?” I have almost all the 8 essentials except a professional email address. You mentioned a tie to my website. Could you tell me more?
Rosemary, most websites also offer you the choice to add an email address. Check with your hosting company (like HostGator, Doteasy, etc.) and you’ll see if your hosting package also gives you email addresses. Then you can devise your own email that will use your website as the point of origin. For example (and this is totally made up!): author@authorfirstlastname.com. That way, when people are emailing you, they see your name and website name as part of your email address. It also cuts down on spam because you’re not using one of the popular gmail, yahoo, hotmail, or other free email accounts as the point of origin. Hope that helps!
Rosemary, what Sarah said. 🙂
At this point I inly have free WordPress for my website. Not sure if they offer an email address??
Yes. Yes. Yes. Good advice, Bob. I’m spending several days organizing a mound of paper—looked like a snow-covered mountain in my office—into organized and accessible files. Indeed. I know who I am, and I’ve vowed never again. 🙏🏻
One other tool I would add is scrivener. I write (non-fiction only) in Word, but I organize in Scrivener. All my 3×5 cards are electronic. All the websites I’ve searched are organized and easily re-visited. All the research is grouped by chapter and easily reorganized if I rearrange the manuscript.
Some would ask, “Why not just draft in Scrivener?” Because it starts getting more complicated. Maybe some day—especially since you can export into Word—but not yet.
Could you expound upon the professional email? Which ones do you suggest?
Thanks for timely advice as I’m cleaning out file boxes of old ms.
Sally
See Sarah’s comment, above.
Great ideas, Bob! Thank you. Hmmm … but if I point my email through my website … what about all of those business cards I would have to then change, ha!
I never said the writing life isn’t complicated.
Thank you for wise advice, sprinkled with humor.
Solid list! Very true.
Terrific post Bob! Thank you!
I have 7.5 out of 8…the filing system…. for when you are writing a historical novel…you want to find your sources easily ..I got there but painful.
I would also say ProWriting, a terrific tool for the last edit.
I have a question about headshots. Basically, I’m wondering: Do I have to have my headshot in my book? I’m an adult living at home. My father has untreated anxiety problems and is EXTREMELY concerned about privacy. He’s often talked about how, when he writes the next great American novel (which he’s never actually started, btw), he’d use a pen name, not put his face out there, and basically write in total anonymity. I’m a writer myself and have actually started, completed, and self-edited multiple stories which I fully intend to get traditionally published. While I’m not personally concerned about it, and I personally understand that it can be helpful for readers to have a face to put to an author’s name, I also suspect that when I reach the point of my work being published, my dad would be a lot less anxious and worried about privacy if my face wasn’t on every single book. So, are publishers okay with it if you’d prefer not to have a headshot on your book?
The headshot on a published is just one of many uses for a headshot. It could be a fatal hindrance to an author’s platform if he or she doesn’t use every platform tool possible (including headshots on website, blog, press releases, social media, speaking-engagement announcements, article blurbs, etc.). For that reason, masking an author’s identity or appearance is pretty rare, though there are other ways to protect one’s identity and personal information.
Thanks for the response. I completely understand and agree. To be frank, I don’t think my father’s ever going to finish a novel for any of this to be an issue for him. I hope that doesn’t sound harsh. It’s simply a fact that he tends to say he wants to do certain things, but never commits to them, and writing fiction is one of those things. (Full disclosure: He doesn’t even read fiction. I’ve honestly never been sure why he’s stuck on wanting to write it “someday.”) I, on the other hand, am already working to build my platform in what ways I know how and am able to do, and I show my face online when and where appropriate. The key here being that my dad isn’t on social media and never will be, so it’s an out-of-sight-out-of-mind situation. I asked about the headshot on a book specifically because he would naturally see it on a book when I say, “Hey look, I got published” and hand him the book. But it may come down to just doing it and waiting out his bout of anxiety (mom will help talk him through it) until he comes to terms with the fact that this is how one goes about being an author these days. I’ll cross that bridge when I come to it because my stories are too important to me to let dad’s anxieties stand in the way. But if you ever wanted to write an article about those other ways to protect your identity and personal information as a modern day author, I’d love to see it. Having that kind of information that I could share with him could be helpful in getting him to understand the situation better.🙂
Hi E.F. Thank you for your question. I added my thoughts and questions … in a response on the website for all to see, I hope.
Jan Rogers Wimberley
This is a blessings! Thans and God bless you.
Just checking with others for opinions….
How do we make ourselves of no reputation … do headshots come in as a worldly way of promoting ourselves?
Is our writing and publishing dependent on knowing what we look like or the quality of our craft?
Speaking only for myself, I tend to think that someone as homely as me is super safe in using a headshot; no one has ever equated my headshot with sinful self-promotion. It’s only the pretty authors who have to worry about such things.
We follow the example of our Savior. Philipians 2:7. “He made himself of no reputation and took upon him the form of a servant[…]” If we come at things like headshots with an attitude of “I’m gorgeous, love me and buy my books,” then that would definitely qualify as sinful pride. But God made humans to desire connection, with each other and with Him. It’s a completely natural phenomenon to want to see a face so that (especially these days) we know the words we’re reading came from a human, not a computer. So, instead of thinking of headshots as an opportunity to self promote, we can shift our attitudes to see it as an opportunity to connect and form relationships. When we have a relationship with our readers, we have a stronger opportunity to make ourselves Christ-like servants to them, to minister to them, and point them to Christ.
Thank you for your insightful response. E.F. Buckles on the head shot question.
Additionally, you could give your dad your published book, and take off the paper cover if you use a head shot. Only if it is a hard cover, of course. AND, why are you waiting if you have multiple stories written — please share them with the world.
I do well on all but the filing system. I will have that up and running with pleasure and a much more organized window shelve where EVERYTHING currently resides 😀
Thanks!
I’m often amazed how many writers aren’t library regulars. Do they know this place has FREE books??
How did you know about that grocery sack in the back of my closet???
{Sigh} An ongoing lack of organization–my besetting sin. 🙁
Thanks for the encouraging words and direction.