Just because someone is educated doesn’t mean they are intelligent. If you want an example of that all you have to do is look to our nation’s capital. Enough said about that!

And likewise, just because someone has a degree in journalism or literature doesn’t mean they can write well. Writing is an art like music. Some people have a natural ability for written communication but do not have any formal training or education in literature. History is replete with individuals who went on to great accomplishments in fields for which they had no training. Education, or lack thereof, didn’t keep them from achieving their dreams or writing some of the best known classics. Mark Twain, pen name for Samuel Clemens, who only kept up his schooling to age 12 wrote some of the most beloved American literary classics.

But regardless whether writing well comes naturally to you or not, just like music, you have to practice, practice, practice! Not only does that mean write, write, write, it also means read, read, read, but not just any reading. Expose yourself to good writing and good writers. Part of the process of becoming a good writer is through osmosis. If all you read is trash and garbage then your writing will reflect that. This is not only true for writing but is also true in all elements of our lives. It’s kind of like what friends you surround yourself with. You will eventually become like the things you are exposed to most. Choose to surround yourself with good friends and good writing.

Now go forth and write!

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The post You Don’t Need A Degree In Journalism To Be A Good Writer appeared first on M.L. Douglas.

Imagine for a moment that you’re an author of a new fantasy novel, or any other genre; hopefully this isn’t hard for you to visualize. You’ve had a good response from a literary agent with emails and even a couple of phone calls about your work.  You think your ship has come in and you have a ticket to getting your work published. Then the bottom falls out when you get an email from your prospective agent telling you that she doesn’t think she will be able to help you. She doesn’t respond to any more of your emails and doesn’t return your calls. You’re left dazed and heartbroken.

What you don’t know is that your prospective literary agent just took the time to visit your blog and Twitter feeds. She discovered that you post content about politics and re-tweet political posts on your Twitter account. Your political views are directly opposite to her political views and she is offended by your political remarks and comments. As a result she decides that she is not interested in representing you for your novel.

If you think this is farfetched consider this, even if she is able to look past your political views to your work as a writer she is still likely to consider the impact of your posts and views on potential book sales. Remember, your prospective audience is almost certainly going to be comprised of people with differing political views. If you do manage to sign with her as your agent she will probably tell you that you should purge your posts of political remarks, especially before you sign a contract with a publisher.

Don’t Alienate Your Audience

Most good businesses avoid politics, especially in the politically charge environment of our world today. As a writer you are also in business to sell books. If you’ve read and learned anything about the publishing industry then you should already know that you, as an author will be doing a lot of promotion for your own work, the publisher doesn’t do all the marketing for your book. They expect you to have a following that are potential buyers. Selling your work becomes difficult when you alienate half your potential market. The exception to this rule might be if what you write is designed to be politically charged and controversial.

As a writer my goals are to build a following and a community, which in turn will increase my exposure to potential readers, which will result in more book sales. Being professional is part of business. And your literary agent will expect you to be professional as well as a writer. If you can’t suppress your urge to react about some controversial issue then you may not be considered professional. Authors need to have a loyal following and that can include people with opposite political views.

Does that mean that you can’t include political struggles in your writing? No, but if you’re a good writer you’ll learn how to write to engage your audience and stimulate thought without alienating anyone. It can be done.

For me I try to leave politics out of my writing because there is enough drama in my books and stories; I don’t need any more… thank you.

Does that mean that I don’t have a political opinion? Of course not but if there is one subject this writer will remain silent on its politics.

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