Things You'll Need:
- Home computer
- Word processing software
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Step 1
Decide what you would like to write about. Although it is possible to be successful as a writer without specializing, it is often very helpful to focus on a specific genre of writing. For example, you may have a particular preference or talent for writing biographies, non-fiction travel articles, science fiction stories, romance novels, medical articles, etc.
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Step 2
Evaluate your current skill level. Writing is a demanding and competitive career choice, and editors are often a "tough crowd." While you don't have to be Hemingway to get started, don't expect others to forgive basic mistakes. Be honest with yourself about your writing skills. If you aren't sure you have what it takes, proceed with caution. It's not impossible to succeed in writing without high-level skills, but you should be prepared to work considerably harder.
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Step 3
Hone your skills. If you are able to identify areas in your own writing that need improvement, consider taking a a few writing classes, or working with a well-established mentor. If neither approach is an option for you, at least be sure to do some practice writing in an environment where constructive feedback is available. No matter how you choose to work on your writing skills, always be willing to accept feedback and constructive criticism.
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Step 4
Make the decision to "go pro." Once you have addressed any problems in your writing and gained some experience dealing with editors and peers, it may be time to take the plunge into into professional writing. Evaluate your needs and capabilities in order to decide whether freelance writing or traditional employment is preferable for you. In either case, the procedure for finding work is largely the same.
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Step 5
Begin seeking paid work. If you are comfortable mentioning your new career choice to family and friends, this may be a good place to start. If you would rather seek work privately, the Internet offers a number of websites which frequently post job opportunities for writers. While you will not be a perfect fit for every job (and you may not get every job for which you are qualified), a determined search will eventually yield results.











Comments
rpauldc said
on 8/29/2009 I appreciate your sharing.
Smireles said
on 3/4/2009 Good points. Thanks for sharing.
sherry58 said
on 3/4/2009 Thanks so much for information on becoming a professional writer.Shirley
kesmith said
on 3/3/2009 This basically just suggests that in order to become a professional writer you "hone your skills", "decide to go pro" and "begin seeking paid work". If that was all that was involved there would be a lot more professional writers. I think this article, while pleasant to read, gave no real information.
shawnee50 said
on 1/21/2009 Great article! thanks for the info.