Unrealistic Expectations and The Unsavvy Writer

Would you feel confident having a surgeon to perform a major operation if you found out that you were his first procedure?

Would you hire a wedding planner who had never coordinated an event before your "big day"?

Probably not.

Yet I'm amazed in my role as a writing coach and former senior editor, at how many newbies and "aspiring writers" feel that they inspire confidence from potential publishers, and should be compensated handsomely for their work.

They want to bypass the development stage and land major clients right away.
Some even consider it beneath them to write for free.

Huh?

There's no such thing as an overnight success in this business. Many of the well known authors and established writers you read online toiled many years, studied their craft, and paid their dues before receiving the visibility and following they enjoy today. And it shows in the quality of their work.

Now it seems that far too many folks are declaring themselves as "writers" without any training, track record, or in some cases, (I hate to say it) true talent.

Sure, the occupation is a seductive one. Often it's even glamorized. Not to mention, the advent of the Internet makes it within hand's reach of anyone with minimal computer skills.

As such, people love to see their name in print and claim their "15 minutes of fame."

But, unless you want to be a "one hit wonder," it would behoove you to take the time to tend to some of the basics of the industry like grammar, spelling, sentence structure, Internet savvy, business management, research, marketing and the stuff that "true writers" are made of.

You owe it to yourself and your readers.

That's my take on the topic. What's yours?