Success as a writer isn’t about luck or having some mythical talent.
It comes down to a handful of traits that anyone can build with time and intention.
Here’s what really matters:
#1. Consistency.
Writing once in a while won’t cut it.
You’ve got to show up, even when you don’t feel like it.
The words don’t have to be perfect—they just have to exist.
Success comes from stacking those pages, day after day.
#2. Curiosity.
Writers who succeed stay curious—about people, ideas, the world around them.
They ask questions.
They dig deeper.
They want to understand.
That curiosity fuels the work and keeps the writing alive.
#3. Resilience.
Rejection happens.
Self-doubt creeps in.
You’ll have days when everything you write feels flat.
The writers who make it are the ones who keep going anyway.
They learn from failure instead of folding under it.
#4. Focus.
In a world full of distractions, focus is a superpower.
Successful writers learn how to carve out time, protect it fiercely, and get the work done.
No magic.
Just boundaries and discipline.
#5. Confidence (or at least the willingness to act without it).
Confidence isn’t a requirement for starting—but it grows as you keep showing up.
Successful writers don’t wait until they feel “ready.”
They start scared.
They hit publish even when they’re unsure.
They act anyway.
#6. A strong why.
When you know why you’re writing—what it means to you, what you want to say, who you want to reach—it’s easier to stay the course.
Purpose fuels persistence.
In the end, it’s not about being the best writer in the room.
It’s about being the one who doesn’t give up.
Keep going.
Keep writing.
That’s the whole game.
Here’s what these powerhouse authors have said or shown about the traits that helped them succeed—and spoiler: none of it is magic.
It’s grit, discipline, and heart.
Stephen King – Discipline & Routine
King is famous for his writing routine.
He writes every single day, even on holidays.
His big belief?
“Amateurs sit and wait for inspiration, the rest of us just get up and go to work.”
His success is rooted in consistency and treating writing like a job—because it is.
Danielle Steel – Work Ethic & Endurance
Steel is a machine.
She’s written over 180 books, often working 20-hour days, sometimes pulling all-nighters.
She credits her success to an intense work ethic and the ability to stick with it through heartbreak, criticism, and burnout.
Her motto?
Just keep going.
Margaret Atwood – Curiosity & Awareness
Atwood attributes her success to being a keen observer of the world.
She reads widely, questions everything, and stays engaged with politics, science, and human behavior.
She pays attention—and that fuels her stories.
Her success comes from never tuning out.
Judy Blume – Courage & Honesty
Blume broke barriers by writing openly about topics people told her were off-limits.
She says the key was being honest and writing what she wished someone had told her when she was younger.
Her success is built on bravery—she spoke up when it wasn’t easy.
Anne Lamott – Vulnerability & Persistence
Lamott is all about embracing the messy.
She talks openly about writing terrible first drafts and how important it is to show up anyway.
Her trait?
Vulnerability.
She writes from the heart and keeps going, even when it’s hard, even when she’s afraid it won’t matter.
These writers didn’t rely on talent alone.
They built habits, faced fears, stayed curious, and showed up over and over again.
You can do all that, too.
Try it!
And, for more writing tips, be sure to visit writebythesea.com and get your free subscription to The Morning Nudge.
Once you're a subscriber, you'll also have access to a Private Resource Library for Writers.
Suzanne Lieurance is the author of over 40 published books, a freelance writer, and a Law of Attraction coach for writers.
No comments:
Post a Comment