by Cindy Sproles @CindyDevoted

One of the joys of becoming a published author is the experience we gain in learning the craft of writing. None of us began this path having all the answers or understanding all the implied things that aren’t written in stone. Writing is a process – one that takes time and practice.

The steps in learning the craft require hard things like, tweaking, editing, and cutting. The rules don’t change. We simply understand how to break them correctly. Trends change with the tides, but the thing that doesn’t change is technique. Techniques are refined. What you may learn today from one author will be refined a few years later. This refining is called progression. When you learn the progression of writing, you will see a marked difference in your skill set.

New writers tend to write “very stilted.” Proper. In fact, they overwrite, trying to sound very professional. It’s a mindset. Writing well to the newer writer equates to writing prim and proper. Sentences and phrases are worded in a way that the author wouldn’t even speak it. This is not a bad thing. It’s a step to learning who you are as a writer. It’s learning your voice. Once the new writers begin to grow comfortable in their writing skin, those stilted phrases and overwriting tend to ease. You see – progression. New writers have not yet learned the skill of less is more, and that’s fine. They will learn.

Intermediate writers are taking the time to perfect their writing skills. They’re learning that a story doesn’t need twenty characters to become a story with profound impact. They grasp what it means to like a section but understand it needs to be cut. Our intermediate writers will find places to purchase or print their devotions and articles. They may be included in anthologies and trust their skills enough to enter contests. Intermediate writers start to understand that their first project will probably not reach publication because it’s just not ready. Again, progression.

Published writers may find that first book contract and be introduced to the publication process, the rules of working with publishers and editors, and what it means to have that “platform” they’ve heard so much about. Published writers begin to write harder, stronger, and more confident. Their work tightens, and they learn to keep back-pocket projects polished and ready to send at a moment’s notice. They’ve learned to write and move on to the next project, not allow themselves to stall on that one project they are convinced is the “one.”

Finally, well-published writers have learned how trends and techniques change. They’ve learned to adapt and proceed. These writers understand the publication process, and they’ve been published enough that their abilities to teach, edit, and mentor have begun to grow. Well-published writers keep on keeping on – they continue the race because the joy and passion of the craft drive them. Their success grows as they share what they’ve learned and experienced through their writing career. These writers have learned that if their work is not selling, something needs to be addressed, and they let the hound dog in them take hold to sniff out the issue. The biggest thing about well-published writers is that they continue to study and learn the craft of writing. Progression never stops.

As you walk this publishing pathway, be mindful that this is a learning process. Never stop learning. Never assume you know it all. Continue to sit at the feet of those above you and soak in all they share. Your time will come. When it does, you’ll be the next trendsetter.

Cindy K. Sproles is an author, speaker, and conference teacher. Having served for a number of years as a managing editor for Lighthouse Publishing of the Carolinas and Ironstream Media, Cindy now works as a mentor, coach, and freelance editor. She is the co-founder of Writing Right Author Mentoring Services with Lori Marett and the director of the Asheville Christian Writers Conference. Cindy is also the co-founder of Christian Devotions Ministries and www.christiandevotions.us, as well as www.inspireafire.com. Her devotions are in newspapers and magazines nationwide, and her novels have become award-winning, best-selling works. She is a popular speaker at conferences and a natural encourager. Cindy is a mountain girl, born and raised in the Appalachian mountains, where she and her husband still reside. She has raised four sons and now resorts to raising chickens where the pecking order is easier to manage. You can visit Cindy at www.cindysproles.com or www.wramsforwriters.com.