Becoming a professional writer, ultimately, is the final result of many years of endeavor. You cannot just take a class and *become* a professional writer, like you can take education classes and become a teacher. Writing is a dynamic endeavor that requires sometimes years of reflection and preparation. I remember reading the book “Code” by Charles Petzold, one of Microsoft’s best programmers to ever serve the company. He said that he has this book “in his mind” for several years before actually writing it. That is just one case in point. For those of you interested in pursuing writing as a career, here are ten steps you can take that potentially could help you toward such a career:

One. Identify and pursue your passion. It doesn’t matter whether it is photography, computers, travel, cooking, or science fiction. Know thyself!

Two. Study to expand your knowledge base. Even though you have identified your passion, it is good to have a broad knowledge base as an individual. You are much more able to socialize with others.

Three. Become inquisitive. The best writers are ones who are always asking questions, and many of them. Imagine yourself as a reporter about your passion and all the questions you wish to ask the lead person in this field or activity.

Four. Network with others. It doesn’t matter whether you open a profile at MySpace, Facebook, or StumbleUpon or even join the local PTA. Get to know people and you will be able to see and experience firsthand the incredible diversity of people that the world has. It is indeed incredible.

Five. Experiment within your passion area. Do you have an idea that has gone unexplored? Do you have questions that nobody can answer within your passion area? Then by all means go for it – and make a discovery that nobody else has – this will boost your self confidence greatly.

Six. Work professionally within your “passion’s” area. If you are crazy about computers, then by all means try to find a job in computers. If your passion is parasailing, then go get a job as a boat captain for parasailing clients at a resort somewhere. Get your hands wet and get to know the professional field of your passion FIRSTHAND.

Seven. Share your passion with others. Perhaps you are at a social gathering or just chatting with friends on the web. By all means share your passion with them, but of course not too much. Tell them about a few “cool” things you have seen or experienced – people always love new and interesting things.

Eight. Brush up on your English or Foreign Language skills. Make sure that you are not totally out of touch with basic grammar rules in the language you hope to use as a writer. This will help you greatly in the writing practice.

Nine. Take a basic writing class if you haven’t already. The purpose of this suggestion is only to help you understand the different formats in which writing can take place, and the kinds of publications that people consume.

Ten. Seek formal employment as a writer in your passion’s field. Now that you have acquired all sorts of great personal experience firsthand, now you can write about it formally. You might need to prepare a small portfolio so that the hiring manager can see that you can write clearly and also you have mastered important concepts within your passion’s field.

Good luck to you