What is the secret that really separates writers who make a living with their writing and those that don’t?

It’s simple: Those writers who write, finish and publish their work.

I’ve learned that what separates the wannabe’s from the pro’s are those writers who are actually committed to writing. Those that actually publish their books and share their work with the world.

Honestly, it’s so super simple, and yet(as I’ve found) one of the hardest things for people who dream of writing to do.

It’s been a struggle for me too.

Every day I battle resistance to win it to get words on the page.

One of my biggest struggles has been overcoming perfectionism. The fact that I need to rewrite this sentence, phrase or entire scene. I believed all the lies that if you really want to write something wonderful you have to edit it about 50 times until it’s finally ready.

However, lately as I’ve been reading through Dean Wesley Smith’s tips on writing on his blog, I’ve had a lightbulb moment. I realized I’ve been overthinking – and overdoing – this rewriting bit.

My aha moment was that the reason that I kept rewriting was actually based in fear. I continued to rewrite whatever current story I was working on, because I was afraid of finishing.

My real fear was that of finishing and getting it out there into the world for readers to look at my words and tell me they hated my story. 

This insight has been a major breakthrough for me in my writing.  Read on to learn about Heinlein’s rules for making it as a writer.

I hope these tips help you get unstuck in your writing process too…

Heinlein’s 5 Simple Rules for Writers

Heinlein, who was a science fiction writers in the 1940’s, 1950’s and 1960’s, wrote his rules for making it as a writer.

It was a half business, half craft sort of list, but these rules will help many writers get unstuck.

Even though the following rules don’t seem like conventional wisdom, I was willing to try it as it came highly recommended by Dean Wesley Smith who has been successfully writing and publishing for 40 years. I have a lot of respect for writers who have gone the distance and continued to write for that long.

Posted below, is a list of what I’ve learned about Heinlein’s 5 rules for writers and those who want to build a writing business.

 

Rule #1. You Must Write:

This means you need to actually write. This is not about organizing your desk. This isn’t about outlining(which can be part of writing but that’s not considered new words on the page). This is not experimenting with different software. This is not podcasting or writing a blogpost either.

The short and long of it is, this is actually about putting your butt in chair and writing new words on the page. Writing freehand in a notebook or writing on your computer.

You must write.

It’s a simple truth that for every word you add to the page, the closer you are to finishing your work.

This isn’t rocket science, but I’ve learned that for most people this is the hardest thing to do… for me too.

As a writer that means you’ve got to schedule your writing time. Make time to write. Pros actually do the work. That’s the difference between amateurs and pros.

This is the part that I’ve struggled with too… so I’m learning how to schedule my time better 🙂

 

Rule #2. You must finish what you start.

Okay I’ll ask: How many projects do you have on your hard drive right now that are unfinished?

If you’re anything like me, you have at least one or two books unfinished on your computer. (I have two books that I haven’t touched in 5 years… ouch!).

I’ve discovered that what happens when you finish what you started, it unlocks something in you to help you continue to finish whatever you start.

It’s like this invisible barrier comes down and says “I can start a book and finish it. I’ve done it. So now I can do it again!”

Sidenote: This is the great thing about NaNoWriMo every November that inspires/motivates people to write a novel in 30 days.

This doesn’t mean that every book is easy. Quite the opposite. In most cases, every book or blog article has it’s own challenges. But still, there is something amazing about finishing what you start(At some point I will go finish those two books that are still sitting there on my computer!).

Just as an encouragement: There is no perfect book. So just write and finish it!

 

Rule #3. Refrain from Rewriting, except for editorial demand. 

This rule is hard for me, quite honestly. This is where my perfectionism kicks into overdrive.

And quite honestly, this is where most writers – especially most writers who have never finished or published anything will disagree.

I’ve learned that rewriting our book over and over again doesn’t help us.

Dean Wesley Smith in this blogpost, says that what happens when we rewrite over and over again(totally taking out what’s there and redoing your work), is you are removing your voice. As writers we think our voice is boring, so we get rid of it. Dean Wesley Smith says that our voice is the part that is most critical to leave in our stories. Our voice is like a magnet that draws readers to our work, so it’s important not to toss it away.

There are many bestselling authors who do not rewrite: 

• Lee Child does not rewrite.
• Michael Connelly does not rewrite.
• Stephen King does not rewrite.

One thing that Dean Wesley Smith says in the above blogpost that really struck a chord with me is: when you are writing your first draft you are staying in creative voice, which is super important. If you begin to rewrite – taking out what’s there and redoing your work – you revert to critical voice and that’s when you’re writing/storytelling becomes dull and lifeless.

When you write that first draft and you’re going fast, you have this character and setting, that’s your most creative subconscious voice. That’s where you tap into that creativity; that art part of you. It’s the most pure. Not really sure where it comes from, but that art part of you just comes out of you.

You don’t want to mess with that voice.

In rewriting, often what happens is you come back and start rewriting in critical voice and as you rewrite you change the vibe and the voice of the story. Don’t do it.

It’s your voice that makes your book unique.

Write your book and make it as clean as possible by the time you get to the end of the draft.

Then only rewrite for editorial demand. When you send it off to a beta reader or editor, they may suggest changing a few things. However, if you don’t agree with their suggestions, then don’t do it.

You’re in control of what gets changed in your book.

I encourage you not to rewrite your book to death. Rewriting will take out your original story thoughts. Rewriting will take out your voice. Rewriting will make it dull.

This is what I’ve decided to try as I’m finishing up my first novel in my pen name romance. I’m not going to rewrite, instead I’m cycling back as I write the story, to make my first draft as clean as possible.

I encourage you to try this… you might discover that it really gives you more freedom to write and your natural voice will shine through your story<3

 

Rule #4. You must put your work on the market. 

This is the hardest rule and many times one of the scariest things to do.

One of my biggest questions when I’ve published my books is: what if nobody reads it?

However the flip side of that question is: what’s the worst that could happen?

It’s just some words and some time spent. Sure you might get a few bad reviews, but that’s part of the learning process. No one will come to your house and physically harm you because you wrote a book that only a few people read.

You can always go write another book. Don’t live and die by the one book you wrote and published(that’s something that I need to remind myself regularly).

The exciting part of writing and self-publishing is that more than any other time in history, your books will be evergreen and last beyond your lifetime. Your children(or whoever you leave in your will) will get royalties from your books for 70 years after you die.

Indie publishing gives you this incredible virtual bookshelf with Amazon, Kobo, Apple, Google Play and other digital retailers.

You have all these different bookshelves. Some people will love it, some won’t. But over time the readers will find your backlist of books and will start to read other books you’ve written.

I encourage you to publish your stories. It’s not hard to do.

It’s simple to get your books out there. If you want to learn simple steps on how to do that, read my free eBook here.

Get excited about the fact that you wrote and self-published your book. There’s something magical about publishing your own stories and having it out there in the world that will inspire you to “do it again.”

Stop rewriting and polishing and get it out there.

Rule #5. You must keep it on the market until it sells.

When you write and publish your book and share it with the world, then you must let it sit there on the virtual bookshelf until it sells.

If it doesn’t sell at all in the first few weeks, then it might be possible that you need a new book cover or a new blurb. You can always take it down and redo the book cover and book description, but then put your book back up there.

As authors, it’s important to think long term.

There are some authors who are trying to game the system and are not looking to grow their writing craft and they are not focussed on a long-term career.

However, if you want to write a lot of books and be in this for the long haul…

• you need to keep writing.
• you need to keep finishing.
• you need to stop rewriting.
• you need to publish your book.
• you need to keep your book up there until it sells.

Then do it all over again.

There are a lot of writers who write, but they don’t repeat the above 5 step process.

Since you’re reading this, I’m confident that: you are one of the writers who wants to develop a regular writing habit; You are a writer who wants to learn your writing craft; you are a writer who is thinking long-term about your writing career.

For myself, Heinlein’s 5 rules for writers have really changed how I think about writing and self-publishing my books.

I still have the fear of:  I don’t know if this is ready... but there is something about writing and continuing to learn about writing and self-publishing that helps me believe I will grow to be a better writer as I keep practicing and putting my words out there.

I encourage you to apply Heinlein’s rules to your writing adventure.

You need to write. Finish what you start. Stop rewriting your book until it’s a polished stone. Publish your work. Keep it up there until it sells and then repeat.

You’ll be amazed at what you can get done in a year. This is what I’m aiming for too… let’s do this together!

Most of all, have lots of fun doing this! Write the stories you love, and bring happiness to more and more readers. 🙂

 

Which of Heinlein’s writing rules do you find the most challenging and why?  Please do share in the comments below, I’d love to hear your thoughts!