Setting aside time to write is a quintessential trait of any author. It is easy to get caught up in the social media/marketing aspect of being an author, but producing quality work is the most important aspect. Constantly improving one's craft is the trademark of any born-to-be author. This trait can be developed and cultivated over time, but until you have the harvest of books, blogs, and articles to support your marketing claims, your advertising will come across as false and phony. When it comes to writing, no author wants to have the repution of puny words.

In order to lure in readers, your work must be authentic. Therefore, you must be willing to become vulnerable in writing the truth; the full truth. If you are a self-help or nonfiction writer, like myself, you must incorporate personal narratives that expose your scars in order to make your stance believable and understandable. Being able to emotionally move someone is like using the force mentioned in Star Wars. In order for readers to get wrapped up in your story, you must become fully enthralled while writing. A good rule of thumb: If you are bored while writing, or proofreading, your readers will be too. Your words must be emotionally moving, causing your reader to bawl like a baby because they can relate on such a deep and personal level. Your words can change the world. But in order for our words to be that powerful, our pens need to work out on a regular basis.

Some effective resources for authors are:

Stein on Writing (Trust me, this one is worth the read!)

52 Lists for Happiness (This "list book" is an excellent writing warm-up.)

The Hope Writers' Podcast

She Speaks Women's Writers and Speakers Conference (or any writer's conference with a great repuation)

Before readers will take you seriously, you must produce some seriously good material. It doesn't have to be explicit by any means, but it does have to be quality. In whatever genre you write, strive to be at the top! Don't settle for being at the bottom of the barrel. In this day and age, readers expect the best; as they should. Writers' pens must live up to a standard of excellence in order for their work to get any praise. 

Before you market, write. Marketing gets readers to sample your material, but unless they love your words, they will not purchase what you have to offer. It's a Shark Tank type world nowadays for serious and committed writers. We must constantly work to improve our writing skills through practice; learning and growing in absorbing resources for authors. 

Set aside a certain time each week to write for at least one hour. For me, this looks like waking up early on Saturdays in order to cram in these precious, quiet writing minutes. In order to advance, you must give your pen a chance to dance! So don't procrastinate any longer - get motivated, get enthusiastic and get writing today!