The Writer’s Hustle: A Professional Guide to the Creativity, Discipline, Humility, and Grit Every Writer Needs to Flourish

Description

The first guide for developing writers on the professional practices required by creative writing instruction and careers in the field, The Writer's Hustle offers pragmatic and systematic advice on how to navigate your time as a writer when you are not actually writing. Spread across ten chapters covering every juncture encountered by a writer, this book examines mastering the workshop; everyday life; earning a mentor; becoming a true literary citizen; attending conferences; the big final project; routes through further education; and preparing for a full-blown career. Based on his own experience and anecdotes from over 50 professionals and writers, Joey Franklin provides an orientation for every step of your writing journey. Informative and personal, Franklin explores the broad skills, habits, and values of discipline, creativity, courage and grit that new writers can cultivate in order to be successful. Using the real-life experiences of a diverse group of students, graduates, instructors and seasoned, professional writers from around the USA and across the world, this is a book for all those invested in a vocation that holds writing at its centre. Inclusive and comprehensive in its consideration of the various avenues open to writers from all backgrounds, this book is an invaluable companion to your creative writing life as a student at university, in summer or short courses, or just as an enthusiast. Half Title Series Page Title Page Copyright Page Dedication Contents Acknowledgments About the Author and Illustrator Author Illustrator Figures Introduction: The Writer’s Hustle Chapter 1: Making the Most of Each Day Habit #1: Observe Habit #2: Take Notes Habit #3: Write All the Time Ms. Personality Revenge of the Textbook Authors Delight at the Museum Habit #4: Be Intentional Online Read with Purpose Write with Urgency To Blog or Not to Blog Fan Fiction for All Chapter 2: Mastering the Art of the Writing Group Formal Writing Workshops The Curriculum Submitting to Workshop Final Portfolio What to Do when It’s All Over Informal Writing Groups Find the Right Partners Choose the Right Size Set a Schedule Make the Commitment The Ethics of Critique Offer Compassionate Critique Avoid Turning Writers into “Native Informants” Respect Cultural Difference Chapter 3: Becoming a Good Literary Citizen Read across Boundaries of Genre and Culture Participate in the Local Scene Find Community Online Twitter: @vickjulie Facebook and Blogging: Dinty W. Moore Instagram: @morgan__gayle Share Your (Informed) Opinion Chapter 4: Earning a Mentor Do I Really Need Help? Mentor as Honest Reader Mentor as Bar Raiser Mentor as Intellectual Guide Mentor as Voice-Whisperer Mentor as Interventionist Mentor as Firm Hand Mentor as Permission Granter Mentor as Juggling Expert How to Find a Mentor Be Bold, but Do the Work Aim for Authenticity Respect Boundaries Consider Identity-Based Support Don’t Underestimate the Books on Your Shelf Balance Expectations Chapter 5: Attending a Conference, Retreat, or Residency Defining Terms Which Is Best? Finding the Right Fit Completing an Application Preparing for the Trip Set Goals Establish a Simple Online Presence Get Out of Your Comfort Zone Consider Volunteering Make Friends, Not Contacts Go to Panels and Other Program Events, but Not Too Many If You’re Working on a Book, Be Ready to Pitch Don’t Overdo It Budget Smart Chapter 6: Finishing Projects Prioritize the Work Set Goals and Deadlines Create a Routine Be Accountable Reward Yourself Trust the Process Manage Writer’s Block Draft a Theme Statement Consider an Outline Read Your Way Out Turn Your Problem into “The Story” Embrace the Difficulty Lean into Feedback A Few Notes on Theses and Dissertations Choosing a Committee Compiling a Reading List Chapter 7: Submitting Work Why Submit Now? Finish More Work See Work More Objectively Learn from Rejection How to Submit Short Literary Work (Poems, Stories, Essays, etc.) Articles for Commercial Publications (Freelancing) Novels, Memoirs, and Book-length Nonfiction Poetry Collections Play Scripts Screenplays New Media and Self-Publishing Try Traditional Publishing First Find a Niche Love What You Do Pitching The One-Sentence Summary The Short Query Letter The Book Proposal Negotiating Chapter 8: Considering (More) School Undergraduate Programs Graduate Programs Who Needs a PhD? How to Choose the Right Program Applying to Graduate School Comparing Offers Handling Rejection Chapter 9: Preparing for a (Writing) Career Creative Writing Skills in the Real World Mila Myles: Political Communications Specialist Nick Gray: University Safety and Security Director Khara House, Director of Community Engagement Preparing Now for Professional Life Creative Writing+ Internships Employment Volunteer Work Teaching and Research Assistantships Study Abroad Programs Pursuing an Academic Career Qualifying for the Job Market Preparing Applications Materials The University Hiring Process Have a Good Plan B Chapter 10: Staying in the Game Routines Are Sacred but Not Etched in Stone A Writer’s Notebook: Always Helpful, Sometimes a Goldmine The Tradition Can Inspire Us, but Only If We Know It We Will Always Need Other Creative People All Writing Jobs Are Creative Not All Writing Jobs Are Creative Enough Notes Introduction Chapter 1 Chapter 2 Chapter 3 Chapter 4 Chapter 5 Chapter 6 Chapter 7 Chapter 8 Chapter 9 Chapter 10 Index