Do you plan to write for years to come? Do you have a plan to help make that happen? If not, you might just be a “One Hit Wonder” instead of a “Career Writer.” It’s really your choice. When you’ve sold that first book, you can’t rest on your laurels. You’ve got to be thinking ahead.
I always tell folks that I’ve got three books going at once: the one I’m writing, the one I’m marketing and the one I’m preparing to pitch next. Problem is, most writers get caught up in the writing and forget about the fact that there might not be a next book deal unless they continue pitching.
Unless you’re that rare author who only has one story to tell, you need to keep putting together story ideas and proposals, and be prepared to pitch them sooner, rather than later.
Don’t wait until your current book is done. Keep the ideas flowing, and share those ideas with your editor or agent when the time is right. The only way you can possibly stay on top of all of this is to create a plan. Make a spreadsheet. Keep your ideas filed and dated. Create a financial course of action. Develop monthly and yearly strategies. Manage your expectations. Be prepared for unexpected challenges.
Most of all, keep your hopes up. If you keep that “stick with it” attitude, you’ll sell not only one book, but (possibly) dozens.
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