By DiAnn Mills @DiAnnMills
We all want to be strong writers who are able to weather the changes in the publishing industry, economics, business practices, and our personal lives. In order to survive, we must incorporate habits that keep us physically, mentally, spiritually, and professional fit.
Here are eight ways for you to add and maintain “sustainable” to your list of writer traits.
- Pray: Prayer is the single most effective tool in the universe to add everlasting value to your purpose. Begin with it. Pray throughout the day. Let your final words at night be one of thanksgiving.
- Give: Be involved in a community where you give and not take.
- Prioritize: God first, spouse second, family third, friends fourth, and then your writing. No one will ask us how many books we’ve written before we can enter heaven. God will ask us how many lives we’ve touched.
- Exercise: No matter your physical condition, exercise will provide quality of life. If this isn’t a daily practice, consult your doctor and make positive steps to move your body.
- Eat Like a Pro: We are what we eat, and our bodies need a balanced diet to perform life. Try writing after a meal of sugar. Then try writing after a meal of fruits, veggies, lean meats, and whole grains. Which writing project is more likely to be a bestseller?
- Learn: Constant education keeps our brains firing on all cylinders. Make it a point every day to read and apply knowledge. Take time to know what is going on in the world. After all, we live on earth and to take care of our planet means to understand it and its people.
- Work: Our careers as writers mean sacrifice and hard work. Professionalism has a lot of “pros” built in—pro do the job, pro network, pro rewrite, pro edit, pro submit, pro market, pro promote, pro help others, and the list goes on.
- Laugh: Embrace who you are with confidence and laugh. Lots of belly busting, on the floor, side-aching laughter.
Let’s all gather up these eight suggestions and never let them go. [reminder]What tips make you a sustainable writer?[/reminder]
DiAnn Mills is a bestselling author who believes her readers should expect an adventure. Her titles have 
appeared on the CBA and ECPA bestseller lists; won two Christy Awards; and been finalists for the RITA, Daphne Du Maurier, Inspirational Readers’ Choice, and Carol award contests. Library Journal presented her with a Best Books 2014: Genre Fiction award in the Christian Fiction category for Firewall.
DiAnn is a founding board member of the American Christian Fiction Writers, a member of Advanced Writers and Speakers Association, Suspense Sister, and International Thriller Writers. She is co-director of The Blue Ridge Mountain Christian Writers Conference and The Author Roadmap with social media specialist Edie Melson. She teaches writing workshops around the country. DiAnn is active online and would love to connect with readers on any of the social media platforms listed at www.diannmills.com.
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