Sell your Writing Checklist: Think like a Writer

Want to sell your writing? You need a writing checklist. Many writers, both new and experienced, get ideas and start writing, but then get stuck. When you have a checklist, you know exactly what you’re writing, and you eliminate procrastination.

Here’s a simple checklist of tasks which will help you to sell your writing:

1. Is there a market for this article/ book/ screenplay? List the markets

Start by asking yourself what the market is for this piece of writing. Who will buy it? Write down as many potential markets as you can think of.

2. Create a timeline for completion: enter the tasks into your calendar

This step is vital. Enter the tasks of the checklist into your calendar: schedule the time for them. Then, when the time you’ve blocked out for the task comes, sit down and write.

Training yourself to sit down and write when it’s time to write is vital. Refuse to allow yourself to procrastinate, and within weeks, writing when you sit down to write will become a habit.

3. Pre-write – you can only keep five to nine pieces of information in your head at a time

Your next step is to “pre-write.” Pre-writing can include brainstorming, free writing (when you write for five to ten minutes without lifting your pen from the page), and creating mind maps.

Don’t skip or skimp on pre-writing. Memory theory holds that you can only keep five to nine pieces of information in your working memory at a time.

Pre-writing mines your memory for relevant thoughts and ideas. Not only does it make writing easier, it also helps you to write more effectively.

4. Question: what additional information do you need?

If you need additional information, now’s the time to research. Never make your research open-ended. Write down what you need to know, and find the information, whether it’s by researching online, or interviewing people.

5. Write a fast first draft

Write your first draft as fast as you can. Your aim here is just to write – forget about quality. If you need more information, just type “XXX” to mark the spot, and keep writing.

6. Write a query letter (if necessary)

If you’re writing an article for a print publication or are writing a book, you’ll need to write a query letter (also known as a proposal.) Write it now.

7. Revision – slash and burn, rewrite

Revise. Cut material, add material. At this stage, you’re not tinkering with word choices. Revision means to “re-view” to look at your material again.

8. Final draft

Write the final draft.

There you have it. An eight-point checklist which will help you both to think like a writer, and to sell your writing.

Are you making enough money writing?

Or is your writing just a hobby, costing you more in computers, Internet connection fees and writing supplies than you’re earning?

The Secret, Unlimited Market For Your Writing Which Generates A Fantastic Writing Income

I’ll let you in to a secret. The top earners in writing are copywriters. That is, commercial writers – they write for businesses. (Writing for business is known as copywriting.)

Discover how you can become a top-earning copywriter, making a six-figure income, with “Seven Days To Easy Money: Copywriting Success”.

Technorati Tags: writing, writing process, writing tips, writing skills, freelance writing, creativity, prewriting

Twitter This

Usuario: Password:

Tagged as: creativity, freelance writing, prewriting, writing, writing process, writing skills, writing tips