People measure writing success by different yardsticks, such as audience size, money, and fame. What if success represents effectiveness? Based on that benchmark, let’s look at the 3 traits of successful writers.
The Top 3 Traits of Successful Writers
#1. Passion
Enthusiasm for writing tops the list.
- Are you passionate about your writing?
- Do you have an irresistible urge to turn your thoughts into written words?
If you answered yes, that’s a trait you can use to cultivate the next two.
#2. Discipline
A healthy dose of self-control occupies the second slot.
- Are you willing to read books and apply what you learn?
- Do you study writing craft and strive for continuous improvement?
If yes, you share an essential trait with successful writers.
#3. Courage
A sprit of determination and boldness round out the trio.
- Are you willing to go public with your writing?
- Do you invite feedback and make course corrections?
If yes, the third trait completes a tripod to support your writing.
5 Behaviors Reveal the 3 Traits of Successful Writers
1. Writers write
Volume is debatable, but not writing.
2. Study Masterworks
Writers apply the lessons gained from reading time-proven authors.
3. Take Risks
They show courage by going public with their work to attain crucial feedback.
4. Accept Responsibility
Successful writers take ownership and make no excuses.
5. Adopt the Long-view
They believe that disciplined work will pay off.
Advice From Best-selling Authors
Embrace Passion
“When it comes to passion, I’m not sure you have any choice but to follow.” —Dan Brown
Master Discipline
“The discipline involved in finishing a piece of creative work is something on which you can truly pride yourself. You’ll have turned yourself from somebody who’s ‘thinking of’, who ‘might,’ who’s ‘trying,’ to someone who DID. And once you’ve done it, you’ll know you can do it again. That is an extraordinarily empowering piece of knowledge. So do not ever quit out of fear of rejection. Maybe your third, fourth, fiftieth song/novel/painting will be the one that ‘makes it,’ that wins the plaudits, but you’d never have got there without finishing the others (all of which will now be of more interest to your audience.)” —J. K. Rowling
Show Courage
“Courage is the most important of all the virtues because without courage, you can’t practice any other virtue consistently.” —Maya Angelou
Bottom Line
“This is how you do it: you sit down at the keyboard and you put one word after another until it’s done. It’s that easy, and that hard.” —Neil Gaiman