Upcoming Event: I will be at the Australian Publishers’ Association Stand Creators’ Table on Monday March 6 from 11am-12.30pm Tuesday March 7 from 9.30am – 11am Here we are! A list of all the Australian authors and illustrators who will be showing up in person at the Bologna Children’s Book Fair 2023. You can meet us in […]Learn More
It takes a particular personality type to be an author. Do you make the grade? The following are some of the essential ingredients.
1. Are you a seeker after truth?
2. Are you tenacious?
3. Are you patient?
4. Are you a dreamer?
5. Are you a perfectionist when it comes to words?
6. Do you have mental stamina?
7. Do you feel passionate about things?
8. Do you have an overactive imagination?
9. Do you love reading?
10. Do you love research?
11. Do you have a love of learning?
12. Are you interested in people?
13. Are you interested in life?
14. Do you like your own company?
15. Do you have lower than average self-esteem?
16. Do you doubt yourself at least five times a day?
17. Do you think you can deal with being poor for the rest of your life? If you answered ‘NO’ don’t waste your time any further.
18. Can you take rejection?
19. Are you selfish when it comes to your time?
20. Are you able to resist checking your email, Facebook and Twitter for at least an hour? Ok, make it half an hour.
21. If you are a childrens author would you feel like bopping the next person who said, ‘When are you going to write an adult book?’
22. If you are a childrens author would you feel like wringing the neck of the 523rd people who told you that you might be the next JK Rowling?
If you answered yes to all of the above then congratulations, you have a very good chance of becoming a professional writer.
7 thoughts on “Do You Have What It Takes To Be An Author?”
LOL That’s a funny list, filled with truth 🙂 I would argue with #14 and #16, however… I think it’s my optimistic nature that has helped me to have the determination to keep at it and the self-belief that I have something to offer. I’m also really a people person, although I don’t mind spending time by myself. I think in writing, like everything else in life, it’s a case of, “To thine own self, be true”.
Karen, I have now changed #14. I didn’t mean it to read that writers don’t like being with people, just that they don’t mind being alone inside their heads for most of the day. ‘Determination’ should be added to this list. A definite plus especially while on that long hard journey to being published. (:
Haha, maybe I -can- become an author.
I Said yes to practically all of these.
Except for the low esteem one.
Do all authors actually have lower than average esteem?
LOL That’s a funny list, filled with truth 🙂 I would argue with #14 and #16, however… I think it’s my optimistic nature that has helped me to have the determination to keep at it and the self-belief that I have something to offer. I’m also really a people person, although I don’t mind spending time by myself. I think in writing, like everything else in life, it’s a case of, “To thine own self, be true”.
That is very funny! Perhaps I am in with a chance after all!
Karen, I have now changed #14. I didn’t mean it to read that writers don’t like being with people, just that they don’t mind being alone inside their heads for most of the day. ‘Determination’ should be added to this list. A definite plus especially while on that long hard journey to being published. (:
Haha awesome… Perhaps I do!
Haha, maybe I -can- become an author.
I Said yes to practically all of these.
Except for the low esteem one.
Do all authors actually have lower than average esteem?
Actually Chrissy, other authors who’ve taken the test say that they don’t have low self esteem either. Perhaps it’s just me.
i have the need the need for speed……..typing so i can be an author just like gabrielle wang