You can create a self-portrait of the author you want to be by summing up your short- and long-term literary and publishing goals and how you will achieve them by answering these sixteen questions. When possible, start your answers with the word “I.”
- Why do you want to write?
- What do you want to write–novels, nonfiction, children’s or YA books?
- Which book(s) is a model for your books?
- Is there an author who is a model for the writer you would like to be?
- What do you want your writing to communicate?
- What do you want your writing to achieve?
- What readers are you writing for?
- How many books do you want to write a year?
- What advance would you like for your books?
- How much money a year do you want to earn from your writing?
- How and where do you want to live?
- (For nonfiction writers) Do you want to write your book yourself, work with an editor, collaborate, or hire a ghostwriter?
- Do you want to self-publish, pay to be published, or be paid to be published?
- How will you support your writing until it supports you?
- How will you use your success to serve others?
- What literary legacy do you want to leave?
Put your answers up where you write. Read them if you become discouraged. Change them when you wish.
Guest Post By Michael Larsen
Michael Larsen Author Coaching
www.michaellarsenauthorcoaching.com
Co-director, San Francisco Writers Conference: A Celebration of Craft, Commerce & Community
www.sfwriters.org / sfwriterscon@aol.com
San Francisco Writing for Change Conference: Writing to Make a Difference
www.sfwritingforchange.org / sfwriterscon@aol.com
If you like this blog post, you’ll love our Author Toolkit with templates, worksheets and checklists for writing nonfiction. Check it out!
