Key Traits of Successful Authors
Organized and prepared (and 3 more traits)
One key trait I’ve noticed that successful authors share is that they are very organized and prepared, even if they might not always appear to be. They prepare transportation in advance and know exactly what they are going to do, and actively propose projects instead of waiting for things to happen. They respect their own time as well as others’. Nothing’s left to chance so that nothing slips through the cracks.
Here are 3 more key traits shared by successful authors as shared by Jerry Jenkins:
Make time everyday to START writing & make time to KEEP writing. Most importantly, FINISH and get your writing out the door.
Learn proven approaches by welcoming constructive input and criticism. Be willing to learn — never stop learning and growing as an author. Writers write, practice and constantly improve their craft — they don’t let ego block progress. They look at criticism objectively and analyze whether it’s valid (often it’s not) and figure out what they need to learn from it. Even if they feel they’re not ready, they dive in and get it done!
Soldier on. All writers reach impasses in the writing process, even if they’ve written over 200 books (like Nora Roberts). All writers receive rejections for whatever reasons. All writers have moments of indecision in the writing process, thinking they won’t be able to finish. Power through. Get it done.
And never stop reading: 125 Famous Authors Select the Greatest Books Ever Written.
Happy writing!
