The Five Phases of Being a Writer

My recent attendance at the incredibly amazing and inspiring North Wildwood Beach Writers Conference and re-reading Steven Pressfield’s The War of Art: Break Through the Blocks and Win Your Inner Creative Battlesinspired this post.

Phase I
I love to write.

Phase II
I am a writer.

Phase III
I am a professional writer.

Phase IV
I am a published writer.

Phase V
I am a financially successful writer.

Phase I is the phase most people will recognize. They know they love to write (or draw, or dance, etc.) and write just for pure pleasure. A lot of people remain in Phase I for a long time, and in some cases their whole lives.

Phase II is often a difficult phase for people. They first have to acknowledge to themselves that they are indeed a writer, then tell the rest of the world. There is a certain degree of personal awe when we take this step and acknowledge our innermost self.

Phase III is when you commit to your craft, and you become a professional. Becoming a professional has nothing to do with getting paid. It is mindset, an attitude, that takes you beyond the amateur, the dabbler level and is grounded in self-discipline, dedication and commitment. In Phase III you’ve moved way past the gifted and talented stages. Now it’s hard work, focus, continuous learning and honing of your craft.

Steven Pressfield beautifully explains this process in detail in his book The War of Art: Break Through the Blocks and Win Your Inner Creative Battles.

Phase IV is when you finally show your work to the world and become a published writer. Being a published writer can take many forms and can include a traditionally published or self published book, a newspaper column, articles for your local community or church newsletter, magazine or trade journal articles, or a blog.

The Merriam-Webster’s Online Dictionary defines “publish” as:

“To make generally known; to make public announcement of; to disseminate to the public; to produce or release for distribution, specifically-print; to issue the work of (an author); to put out an edition; to have one’s work accepted for publication”

Phase V is when you you desire, and expect, to be paid for your work. 95% of all people stop just short of Phase V and remain in Phase IV. Every individual writer should have their own definition of ‘financially successful’. Having this defined lets you know when you’ve arrived.

What phase are you in? Where do you want to be?