Are You More Than A Writer? The secret to success no writing workshop will ever tell you!

It's amazing being a writer. You have the power toactress, producer, publisher, entrepreneur and
express yourself, to shape the way others see thephilanthropist. Don't underestimate yourself. It is possible
world and to make things happen. Long after yourto become versatile without compromising your high
footprints vanish from the sands of time, the wordsstandards.
you write will be read, shared and remembered. But3. It opens the door to financial success- In today's
are you more than a writer? Because you see, thepublishing world; a writer must wear many hats. In
industry certainly expects you to be. This article sharesaddition to endless proofreading for instance, he or she
with you, 3 reasons why versatility is a writer'smust be willing to craft proposals, negotiate an
greatest asset.advance, organise robust marketing campaigns,
1. It makes you more convincing- Don't we all lovebudget, administrate, network at functions, speak in
writing that reaches out and pulls us right into thepublic and flesh out ideas for yet many more books.
page? Masterful writers are intelligent, passionate andHave you got what it takes? You better do. Financial
detailed in their craft but most of all they aregurus have taught for years that the key to wealth
convincing. When Michael Crichton wrote the sci-fiand uncommon success is having multiple income
classic, Jurassic Park, he tapped into another part ofstreams. But how can one have multiple income
himself- used his extensive medical experience tostreams without multiple talents and interests? Before
advantage. The result is a fictional work that reeksbest selling author, Amy Tan, became a novelist she
with authenticity and of course one that earnedworked as a commercial copywriter. Since the Joy
Crichton millions of dollars from movie deals. TheseLuck Club, she has added screenwriter, essayist, public
days, readers demand that writers 'show and not tell'.speaker, journal editor and amateur musician to her
But how can you show what you do not know?resume. After all creativity is not all about producing; it
When you discover, develop and harness a wideris also about leveraging what you know. Many writers
range of life experiences and talents, your writing willtoday are also athletes, politicians, photographers,
sparkle and your readers will be hooked for life.entrepreneurs and scientists. With the invasion of mass
Versatile people can bring their wealth of experience,media technology, the younger generation is reading
the richness of their lives, into their work. Take yourless and so the onus lies on the modern scribe to
writing to the next level by discovering yourcommunicate beyond the book. If you aspire to make
multitalented self.a living doing what you love, don't get ahead of
2. It makes you more productive- Do you ever struggleyourself, just plan ahead. Craft your novel so that it
with writer's block? Often the best solution is to take aappeals to movie producers. Learn to write songs or
short break from the project and return to it withscreenplays, publish your own blog or newsletter... step
renewed zest. If you have been working hard at youroutside the box. Dr Stephen Covey, author of The
writing for weeks, now is the perfect time to find aSeven Habits of Highly Effective People, makes much
new challenge, to try something different. Rediscoverof his income not from book sales but from high profile
your passion for song writing or dance, learn to knit aspeaking engagements.
sweater, style hair or paint a water colour portrait.I will never forget the fictional character, Oliver Twist.
Make time to see life with new eyes and allow yourHe was young, scrawny, homeless, unschooled and
fingers to show you what they can do. There's moreyet he wasn't afraid to ask for what he wanted. Even
to life than paper and pen. Take a break. Decorate orafter he got a beating for his trouble, Oliver continued
cook, reclaim your love for fashion or art, find anotherto yearn for a better life. Likewise in all of us there is a
side to you. You are a multi-dimensional being: daughterdesire to become more. If you want to grow as a
and mother, father and son, friend and sibling, spirit andperson you must sustain a healthy sense of curiosity.
soul. To excel as a writer, you must be willing toAnd if you are still willing to succeed as a writer, then
become everything else you were born to be. Oprahtake time to discover, develop and harness your
Winfrey is an award winning talk show hostess,hidden talents.