How can you become an author and what does it take to be one?
The reason I chose this as my question is because I am a writer who enjoys making stories. If possible, I’d want to be an author when I’m older since it’s something of interest. I’m not very good with math or sciences, but I’ve always been better with the English and Art based subjects. However, I’ve not yet done research as to how I’d even become one. Which is why I want to start that with this inquiry project.
Steps:
1. To start it off, I’m probably just going to look into the basics of it, asking questions like “How to become an author” just to get a couple of starting resources. These will branch out later.
2. Secondly, I’m going to check out some successful writers and check out what they’ve done in order to be noticed. Their stories may help me to see what they had to do in order to get their books out and career started.
3. Thirdly, I’m going to research the different types of books. I like to write, but I also wondered if I could input my own drawings into a novel. Maybe even a graphic novel?
Sources:
1. https://www.learnhowtobecome.org/writer/
2. https://writingcooperative.com/so-you-want-to-be-a-fiction-writer-52c546014d92
3. https://jerryjenkins.com/how-to-write-a-book/
4. https://jerryjenkins.com/how-to-publish-a-book/
5. https://www.writersunion.ca/faq-getting-published
This inquiry could maybe help others if they had a similar question to mine. If they didn’t know what it takes to become a writer, then the posts could give them some stepping stones.
Hi Giulia,
Really neat inquiry!! I love the fact that you are tying your project into something you’re very passionate about and love to do.
After reading your inquiry question, I was thinking you could possibly make your first round of research a little more specific because it does relate to your question a lot and you might end up answering majority of your question in this round.
You could possibly make this round of research geared towards the education an author requires and might have (ex. what university degrees they could have?) – just an idea!
Also, in terms of your last round, I really like how you are going to compare different types of books. Perhaps you could also touch on the different styles of writing by looking at forms like modern, historical, contemporary, informative? Maybe even comparing to older writing like Shakespeare! Just some things to consider!!
If you are interested, I’ve included some sources below for some of the ideas I mentioned:
Round 1 idea – Education of an Author:
http://educhoices.org/articles/How_to_Become_a_Writer_Education_and_Training_Requirements_for_Becoming_a_Professional_Writer.html
https://www.thebalancesmb.com/college-writing-majors-1360278
https://www.theartcareerproject.com/become/novelist/
Round 3 idea – comparing writing styles
https://www.businesswritingblog.com/business_writing/2013/04/the-differences-between-our-writing-and-shakespeares.html
https://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/11/books/chapters/chapter-shakespeare.html
https://www.standard.net/lifestyle/classics-vs-contemporary-maybe-schools-should-try-to-find-more/article_46ccf708-f8ab-5803-978b-b51459ba2ff3.html
Good Luck! I’m super excited to see what you come up with!!
– Madison Ciulla