The Do's & Don'ts of Professional Writing

Video Transcript

"REBECCA SATO: Hi. I'm Rebecca Sato with expertvillage.com. And we've been talking about how to be a successful writer and I just kinda want to summarize some of the main points about the big do's and the big don'ts. First of all, do keep your deadlines. Do be respectful of your client and your editor. Do make sure that you're keeping your end of the bargain and do make sure that you're getting fairly compensated and also do make sure that you're being treated with respect. Just like you're treating them with respect, make sure that you get the same respect. Don't let people walk all over you. Don't be--as I talked about earlier, don't be a prima donna, don't throw tantrums. Don't think that because you're a writer, you need to act like a tortured artist. Don't expect them to pay you for work that you didn't do. If you agreed to do something and you turned it in half a job, you know, it's fair if they ask you to rewrite it. Don't forget about why you're writing. I think that's important, a lot of people just kind of start going through the motions. Remember that you're a writer and that this is something you love to do and put that touch of passion and creativity into everything you do. It doesn't matter if it's a little job or a big job. Treat every job like it's important and don't start thinking the little jobs don't matter. So if you can keep all that under wraps, then you're well on your way to becoming a successful writer."