How to Kill Your Writing Career - by Lori Anne Rising

www.freepik.com 

Want to become boring and out-dated as an author quickly? Write what you know.
What?! Wait... (I can hear you...) Isn't that what we're supposed to be doing as authors... writing what we know?
Well, sure. At least... that is what the old myths say.
Here is what I say instead: Stop writing about what you know and start writing about who you want to become.
What is the difference?
Writing about what you know is all about regurgitating the past. It is a constant recycling of where you have already been, what you have already done, and what you have already learned.
Is there value in it? Sure. But answer me this:
Is that past what you want to be known for in 3 to 5 years?
If the answer is "Yes," great! Then go ahead and keep doing what you are doing. At least now you are no longer doing it blindly, just because you have always done it! There is value in asking the question because it renews and confirms your interest in your subject, as well as the direction you are heading. Celebrate that and keep going!
All to often however, my clients answer "No." Sometimes it is because they really want to change industries and topics altogether. What is more common however, is that they really want to go deeper into their topic, and are looking for permission to be more of their own unique self, and allow more of their own unique voice to be heard.
Well, guess what. You now have permission. Go. Be. Explore. Express!
What do you want to be known for in 3 to 5 years?
We often believe that if we wait to say what we really want to say, then we will have the courage in a year or two that we do not feel we have now.
Sorry. Not how it works!
Courage comes after, not before. Courage is built WHILE we do the thing was are afraid to do. If we wait until we have the courage, we only allow the fear to grow. (You know you have done that psych-yourself-out thing before... we all have! It is the same thing with writing. Stop thinking about thinking about it, and just do it!)
What do you want to be known for in 3 to 5 years?
You have permission - today - to begin again. Yesterday brought you here. But today will take you into tomorrow. Write what you REALLY want to write.




Author Bio:
As the Founder of Authorship for Experts, Lori Anne Rising is an author’s coach and editor who invites experts and thought leaders into influential authorship through inspiration, collaboration and strategic planning. She has been a professional writer and editor for over 20 years, a Certified Life Coach for over 7 years, and earned her MA in Organizational Communications and Leadership Studies from Marylhurst University in 2013. By researching the two most influential nonfiction books published in the last 100 years, she discovered the 10 Timeless Secrets of Influential Authorship. To learn more, visit www.AuthorshipForExperts.com, or be a part of the conversation online at www.facebook.com/AuthorshipForExperts. You can also check out Lori Anne’s latest books and Kindle downloads at www.amazon.com/author/LoriAnneRising.