How to become an author

There are no formal requirements to become an author, and famous writers throughout history have come from a fairly wide range of backgrounds. A significant number have also started concentrating on writing later in life, including Maya Angelou, Truman Capote, and J.R.R Tolkien.

Academic training and qualifications can help you develop both a critical eye for literature and your own writing style. And may help you to find work as a freelance writer, journalist or in another related field to support yourself alongside your literary aspirations.

There are also a very wide range of courses available to aspiring authors, ranging from how to come up with ideas and outlines, to the publishing process. With any training, it’s important to look at what’s covered by it, who it’s being offered by, and what value you’re likely to get from it.

Important skills for any author start with research and observation. It’s understandable that nonfiction requires a good depth of knowledge in the subject, but even the most imaginative writing needs some understanding of sometimes bizarre topics or items to make it believable to the reader. If you want to know the future of technology, for example, you can usually find it in science fiction.

You’ll also need to develop your writing process and technique. Some authors prefer to plan in detail, while others let their characters and narrative guide them. But they all need to self-edit initial drafts, and to respond to feedback and constructive criticism, whether it’s from family members or an editor provided by a publishing house. So, you need to be open to suggestions for improvements, and why they have been made. Even if you don’t always agree.

With any creative freelancing or self-employment, the foundation of any success is delivering a final project. Developing a writing habit and routine is key to reaching the finishing line. Whether it’s a chapter, page or single line that needs to be done each day, having a timetable helps you to get into a writing mood, and also forces you to continue even if you’re suffering from a lack of inspiration.