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