How to succeed as a professional writer by practicing disciplined creativity ( Part 1 )

“What do you really want to do?”

 This is a question someone inevitably asks at Drone's happy hour to encourage people to get involved in their heartfelt feelings and dreams. The career they would like to have - indeed, if only.

 I answer directly. I can't help it.

"What I'm doing now."

Such a joke.

 Love-Messy Party doesn't want to mess with a person who is actually happy with what he's doing with his life.

 I knew I wanted to be a writer even before I knew I wanted to be a professional writer.

 It was the first effort that attracted me, and in all these recent times it is still my first priority.

 But most people write with a certain quality, and for many, a professional pen seems like something artificial. A career that magically passes. Or by accident.

 A million-dollar script scenario where part of your note earnings is a mod. You know, the hopeless frontiers of "going viral".

 When, in fact, everything is exactly the opposite.

 There is no witchcraft. No coincidence. No luck.

 However, every choice you make has to be really purposeful if you want to become a professional writer.

 1. Prioritize editing

 Great writers are great publishers, and to become a great publisher, you need to learn to recognize ideas that serve you better than your audience.

 These areas of the text need to be revised or removed.

 To perfect this skill, editing can't be a later thought, a "quick pass" through your writing. It's a separate activity.

 Again, one that you, a disciplined creative practitioner, leave enough time to perform.

 2. Raise your standards

 Editing copies and proofreading them before they are fully considered are obvious editorial steps, but you must also become the editor-in-chief of your writing career.

 To grow and evolve, analyze your recently completed work and note how you can improve in the future.

Benefit from consistent creative endeavors only if you learn from them.

 At the end of each month, you can plan to do this type of critical review, as if you were your own customer.

 3. Let yourself feel 100% right

 Whether it's your creative process or the final one, you'll never feel 100% sure you've succeeded. That doesn't mean you're wrong.

 "Final" is an illusion.

 Strengthen your discipline and creativity with each new project you undertake. Keep building your writing portfolio slowly, even if it makes you uncomfortable.

 It is not full of charm.

 It's not easy.

 But if you want to succeed as a professional writer who turns your creative ideas into paid work - and transcends all ideas of magic, accidents, and luck - it's practical.

 4. Give yourself extra time

  For me, creative work always takes longer than I think.

 If you don't have enough time to embrace your enthusiasm and curiosity, when it's time to turn your work around or publish it yourself, you get the impression that you're practicing Flaky creativity rather than disciplined creativity.

 You need space to explore tangentially related topics, but many anecdotes you love often don't have a proper place in the final project.

 5. Find the easy way to get back on track

 Once your routine is derailed, you may feel naturally overwhelmed with tasks that seem to pile up on your to-do list.

 There is no right order to do things, and you don't have to wait for the "perfect" conditions to start a task that is important to you.

  Review your schedule for the rest of the day and the rest of the week, then ask yourself:

 What can I do realistically?

 Not a huge goal that you probably won't accomplish. A significant step that you can complete and do well.

 Then adjust your schedule for the day and week accordingly, until you naturally return to your favorite routine.