A day in the life of a local writer
As American author Stephen King once said, “If you don’t have time to read, you don’t have the time (or the tools) to write.”
What a pleasure it was to sit down with one of the Lowveld’s local published authors. The author requested to remain anonymous. For the purpose of this article we will call the writer Montgomery.
In Montgomery’s opinion a writer is someone who realises it is more difficult than it looks, someone who has a worthy imagination, and someone who knows that time and planning are a necessity in this career.
ALSO READ:Suspect ordered to leave security complex
Montgomery agreed to share some tips with us regarding what would improve your chances to be published:
- You have to decide on the genre that you are interested in, the one you always read and keeps you intrigued will be the one you would write about.
- You have to love reading; reading is an absolute must in any writer’s life.
- The Afrikaans market for writers is broadening and becoming quite established. There is a greater need for such authors in South Africa.
- Always check with publishing companies what their requirements are, and that you are able to meet them before giving them your work.
- Attend a writing course. Montgomery mentioned a couple of them like ATKV Romanza and ATKV winter school for writers
Like any other career you need to set goals for yourself, plan your day, manage your time well and be in a safe and relaxing environment while you write.
Montgomery advised upcoming writers to keep their work to themselves until completed for numerous reasons, but the main one being to protect themselves and their work.
Books which this writer suggested every young aspiring author read:
- Steven King – On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft
- Anne Lamott – Bird by Bird
- Christopher Vogler – The Writer’s Journey: Mythic Structure for Writers.
A day in someone’s life is never easy to explain, however, every writer is unique and has to find their own bliss. Whatever works for them, when they find that they will most definitely make a success of their life.
ALSO READ:Local heroes head to help Cyclone Idai victims
