WRITING LIFE: WELLBEING FOR WRITERS
Survive – & thrive
Catherine Balavage looks at how to succeed as a writer while protec ting your mental health
There are few harder careers than that of a writer. We tend to be overworked and underpaid, always waiting on potentially life-changing news. Talent doesn’t always matter. Luck and timing play a huge part.
If that sentence didn’t have you running for the hills then you are already half-way to becoming a successful writer. It’s not enough to just survive the experience; you need to thrive too. A writing career can have a terrible affect on your mental health. The highs are like nothing on earth, but the lows can feel like a crash into cold water.
There are more avenues than ever to becoming a successful author, whether querying for your first agent, going out on submission, or self publishing. With that in mind; consider this your survival guide.
ACCENTUATE THE POSITIVE
Celebrate every success you have, no matter how small you think it is. Let yourself get upset about rejections, but don’t ruminate on them. Keep a file of good feedback and reviews. Bring it out and read it when you feel low or are having a wobble. When it comes to self care everyone is different. Some people go for walks, others like a cup of tea or a glass of wine. There is no wrong way to do this. With a mixture of self care, and putting the power back into your own hands, you can thrive in the publishing industry. No matter where you are in your career, writers can do a lot of things to raise their profile and build their career.