How to start a writing career?

• The Writing Life: Writers on How They Think and Work by Marie Arana

• Plot Structure: Techniques and Exercises for Crafting a Plot that Grips Readers from Start to Finish by James Scott Bell

• Getting into Character: Seven Secrets a Novelist Can Learn from Actors by Brandilyn Collins

• How to Write Bestselling Fiction by Dean Koontz

You will also need to carve out time in your day to spend writing. You can even consider taking a journalism class or online writing course. You also need to keep your goals realistic. Not everyone will have a bestselling novel on their first attempt. Most writers recommend that you avoid starting with a book.

Beginning your career by trying to write a novel is a daunting and intimidating goal. It is like enrolling in graduate school when you are still in elementary school. There are a lot of things to learn first and a lot of skills to fine-tune before you will likely feel comfortable (and ready) to write a book.

One of the best ways to improve your skills as a writer and to become more comfortable overall is to focus your writing on what you are passionate about. If you are passionate about sports, work on writing columns about your favorite sports team or athletes.

Create your website that will also serve as your online portfolio and use it to showcase your work. When you are comfortable enough to start pitching your work to agents and publishers, they will use your website as a way to view your work and determine if you are the right person for the job.

While building your website and portfolio, look for opportunities anywhere that you can. You might be able to find work on a volunteer basis with a local organization, or your local newspaper may be looking for a sports writer to cover the local high school games. Opportunities, both paid and unpaid, can give you valuable experience.

Another important step in building a career as a writer is networking. Networking can serve multiple purposes. First off, having another pair of eyes (or 10) on your work can prove to be invaluable. There are many writing groups and communities available where people are willing to provide feedback and mentor other writers.

It is important that you have a thick skin and are ready to receive criticism at this point because you are likely to get it. Don't ask for it if you can't handle it. While it may be rough in the beginning, you will be a better writer by being held accountable and by being encouraged to keep pushing forward.