You may have many reasons for deciding to become a writer. Love of the lifestyle, an outlet for your vivid imagination, or simply as a challenge to experience a new direction. Once you’ve decided to take the step from fun hobby to serious ambition, there are several steps you can take to grow as a writer. Here’s some ideas:

Join a local writing organization

Check your local library. Local authors may have already started a group in your area. If you’re feeling shy or too overwhelmed at the thought of scheduling another thing outside of the house, try an online group. There are many support groups for writers on the Internet. Email lists and message boards are great for networking and support.

Join a critique group

So you’ve finished a piece and you want to send it off. But you’re not sure it’s quite ready. Try letting other people read it. Critique groups can be the best thing for your writing. They provide a new perspective on your work, and some of your greatest supporters in the sometimes treacherous road to getting your work published.

Join a national organization

A national writing organization can provide you with valuable contacts and resources. Members Only areas that provide writing advice on craft, plotting, and character development may lead you in ways that you never imagined. Workshops, conferences, and professional development with people that are equally committed to the goal of writing for publication can be invaluable for networking with people in the industry. Agent and editor appointments are often sought after at such events, but the nerve-wracking interview will be well worth it, even if it only builds your experience level in such a pressurized environment.

Read, read, read!

Don’t stop reading. I know the feeling writers sometimes get: how can I read when I could be writing? But it’s important to continue reading as research and as a constant reminder of what you love about the genre. It’s important to keep your finger on the pulse of the industry.

With these steps, you will be able to develop your skills as a negotiator and as a writer. Success is equal parts luck and preparation. Prepare with these steps, and the luck will be more likely to find you.