1. You Have to Be a Big Name to WriteMany aspiring writers are told that unless you’re Stephen King or you’re famous for something else, there’s no point in trying to get your work noticed. But the truth is, many publishers actively look for new writers. Plus, it’s also important to remember that every big-name writer started somewhere. Stephen King was a teacher struggling to pay his power bill when he wrote and sold his first novel!
2. If Your Friends Like It, So Will Publishers One of the mistakes many writers make is asking their friends and family to read their work, and basing their worth on those opinions. After all, regular readers are your target audience, right? However, most friends and family won’t want to damage their relationship with you by saying they don’t like something you wrote. There’s nothing wrong with asking them for feedback, but make sure you’re also re-reading and being objective with your own work. Do the characters really resonate? Will the plot really keep readers interested? Another helpful way to get feedback is by joining a writers’ group. These groups allow writers to critique each others’ works and get truly objective opinions about them. You can also hire a professional editor or work with a private tutor to get additional outside feedback. 3. Write Only What You Know“Write what you know” is a piece of writing advice that has been around forever, but it doesn’t mean what you think it does. When learning how to write fiction, writers often hear this more than anything else. But if you have to write what you know, and you’re a college student in Illinois, does that mean you can’t write about pirates or geishas? Absolutely not. You can create a convincing world through research and imagination. If we only wrote about what we knew, we wouldn’t have fantasy, science fiction, or many types of horror stories. However, writing about what you know can be good advice if you look at it from an emotional point of view. If you know a lot about positivity, sadness, grief, or jealousy, for example, try incorporating that into your writing. 4. You Have to Write in Today’s Hottest Genres Certain genres get red hot and draw in millions of readers. Think about the rise of vampire literature and dystopian teen tales. If you want to be successful, you have to pick one of the hot genres and write in it, right? The experts say otherwise. By the time a genre hits it big, it’s already too late to start crafting a similar story. Those works were accepted a year or two before they were published, and by the time something gets popular, the next big thing is working its way through publishers and getting ready to hit the stores. So instead, write what you are passionate about rather than what you think might be popular. 5. If the Publisher Wants It, Your Work Is Done!Not so fast. You’ve put enormous work into writing a story that you love and that a publisher wants. But that’s just phase one of understanding how to write fiction that sells. You will have at least one round of edits from your editor , and that can often mean rewriting large sections of your work. You may have to cut characters out, shorten the work, clarify certain aspects of the plot, or even change the plot slightly for a different outcome. The fiction writing process can go on for months after you already have the work under contract–or even longer. In many ways, fiction is a collaborative process that starts with you but may end with you, an agent, an editor, and a publisher. Writing fiction may not be easy, but it is one of the most rewarding of creative outlets. If you’re passionate about writing fiction, don’t let anything turn you away it! Keep writing and discovering your passions–you won’t regret it! What are your thoughts? Any other myths or realities you would like to add? My reality in writing of any kind is never to stop. The best writers in my opinion have never been heard of because they have gotten frustrated and have stopped. Have a good day. ---Keith
0 Comments
1. Read (a lot)!This might be surprising, but the first step toward developing writing skills is not to write, but to read! Reading the works of respected authors will open your eyes and your mind to examples of good writing. Do you already know the type of writing that appeals to you? Find out who the leading writers are in that genre and read through their works. Whether it’s fantasy, academic, humor, poetry, science fiction, satire, or general prose, reading a lot will help you recognize what sounds good on paper and, in turn, will help you follow a similar model in your own writing. And it goes without saying that reading good writers will expose you to correct grammar and spelling, as well as a larger vocabulary.
2. Get familiar with various writing styles.Speaking of different writing styles, get to know the idiosyncrasies that exist between each. How does academic writing differ from fiction? What makes a good creative writing sample? What are the different types of poetry and how do they differ from prose? Becoming familiar with the different styles will lead to you become a more nuanced and sophisticated writer as you hone your own voice. 3. Write and/or journal everyday.The old adage stands true: practice makes perfect. It applies to virtually any activity or endeavor in life. When you want to get better at something, there’s just no substitute for doing it, and doing it consistently. The same goes for writing! Write every day. Keep a folder on your desktop with your daily writing or keep a physical journal if you prefer writing by hand. You may not feel like you are developing writing skills from day to day, since progress can be very gradual, but trust us, you’re getting better with each day, week, and month of practice! One of the most rewarding experiences as a student of writing is to look back on your writing samples from months or years before and recognize just how much progress you’ve made over time. 4. Read your writing out loud to yourself.This tip is another one that might not seem intuitive, but it is important. Writing that is good on paper should also sound good to the reader’s ear, as though they were a listening audience. When you read your writing out loud, you may notice if it’s choppy, incomplete, or repetitive – things you may not always notice when you’re busy typing or writing away. Be sure to do this regularly, not just at the end of your assignment or document. Getting in the habit of pausing to read every few sentences or paragraphs helps to keep your momentum flowing and your writing fresh. 5. Work with a writing tutor.Finally, it can be extremely helpful to share your work with others, especially those who can give you useful feedback and individual attention. A writing coach or tutor is key to developing writing skills, as he or she will have professional experience and can offer constructive criticism. This final step is especially valuable if you are planning on submitting a piece to a writing competition or publication. Some are born with natural writing talent and others need extra practice. The thing to remember, though, is that anybody can become a good writer! Let these key strategies guide you in school and beyond, and you’ll notice a difference in your writing skills sooner than you think. Any other strategies you can think of? I read a great deal which has helped me tremendously in my own writing, especially my novels. Have a good day.---Keith 1) eBOOKS ARE A TECHNOLOGICAL FAD: Fact is, eBooks are beginning to outsell hard copies. The older generation doesn’t like reading from a screen and loyally stick to hard copies. The next generation are tech savvy and read books on devices. They can get eBooks at train and bus stations or download them at home–anytime and nearly everywhere, cheaper and faster than ever. As long as the tiny Asian village you’re stuck in has some sort of wireless signal you will be able to get a book and be happy.
2) YOU MUST HAVE AN EDUCATION: Do you need a degree in English or a background in Journalism to be a decent writer? It probably doesn’t hurt. In fact, many fiction writers don’t have any qualifications. If you are an avid reader you should know about sentence structure, grammar, dialogue, etc. and why that book you read was so enjoyable. How about that unforgettable character? Academic writers must learn to write differently for fiction because their audience isn’t in the trade/science/ specialist field and they have to reach a broader audience. Journalists must learn to embellish, as their writing is usually sparse, confined due to of space restrictions. Academics often write boring prose that thrives on specific, long drawn out passages, unreal characters, and far too detailed imagery–and win prestigious awards for it. Writing courses and subscribing to writer Mags will help, so use them. 3) EDITORS–MY FRIEND/RELATIVE DOES MY EDITING: That’s almost funny, but so many people say this. Your friends and relatives are rarely qualified to edit your work. They love you too much to criticize and face your wrath. You’ll mistake the advice for a secret dislike. “I always knew she didn’t like me….” The worst is self-editing. It’s like representing yourself in court–you are too involved to look at your own work objectively. Can you really trust yourself to kill off an unnecessary character? Will your spouse know what happens when a vein is sliced, as opposed to an artery? Good editors go through your work and find A,B, and maybe C . Great editors find those and far more, from theme to plot to dialogue, to imagery to character development, and on and on. Few people can do that. Great editors are usually well-paid and work at publishing houses. Great editors are like music producers: add a little horn, tone down the background vocals, etc. That’s why Justin Beiber is a star, he’s got a great producer. Bad editors will kill your style. Some try to write your story how they see it. 4) WRITERS GROUPS ARE A WASTE OF TIME: All writers need feedback. Writing is a lonely task where you create a world in your head. Your job is let readers see your world, smell it, feel it, cry over it. The only way to know if you’re succeeding is to let others into your world and critique it honestly. A writers group will edit for free. You will have several people offering their opinions and knowledge. By the time your work gets through the gauntlet it should be a much better read. Join a writers group, or start one. There’s a few online if it’s not possible. Members are strangers, and don’t care if they hurt your feelings. It should be constructive criticism. If not, find another group. My writers group is wonderful and I mention them in the dedication part of my eBooks. 5) BIOGRAPHIES: Unless you are an illiterate celebrity, or have done something truly remarkable in your life, only your friend and family will care. Many people have survived cancer, moved to the coast, caught a big fish, murdered a spouse, retired early with a special plan, or tended to disabled kids. In spite of what your mom told you, you are not special. I think my life is far more exciting than yours, so why read yours? 6) KNOW WHAT YOU WRITE: It helps to write an eBook mystery if you’re a cop or lawyer or investigator or work in a morgue. It isn’t necessary to know the special skill. Finding a sympathetic soul to offer advice in their field is easy. Meet cops at neighborhood fairs. Drop into a fire station with your kid for a (nudge nudge, wink wink)tour. If you tell people they’ll get a credit in your book many will jump at the chance. If my story deals with living on the moon I’ll research material on the internet where there’s a world of everything at your disposal. Setting a scene on a Polish street is easy when you use cruise the alleys with Google World. 7) EVERYONE WANTS TO WRITE A BOOK…: but no one wants to park their ass for countless hours and go bleary-eyed from editing and still have a decent story to tell. If you want to write badly enough you will make time for it and you will find a comfortable place conducive to creativity. When I buy a watch I just want it to work, no problems, accurate time, nice looking, I don’t want to know how it works or how it was built. Same with a book; I don’t want to correct mistakes, guess if it’s the same bar the guy got murdered in, etc. Writing is hard work–period, and precisely why celebrities hire ghost-writers. 8) TECHNOLOGY CAN EDIT MY BOOK: Don’t count on it. Spell Check and Grammar Check are wonderful tools, but I know a guy CJ who has tools, but the clown still put the fence post in crooked. Did your character make a mess on the coach, or the couch? John Denver was a plain down to earth guy? Or was he a plane down to earth guy? See what I’m saying? Printing out your work and reading it, is the best way. Reading it aloud works, too. 9) SELLING eBOOKS IS EASY: It’s not. You have to stand out and be noticed like all books everywhere. Pricing, cover art, genre, size, content, etc, all are variables. However ‘story’ is the most vital. There are a lot of readers groups online and they all share info. You want to get their attention and garner reviews. It doesn’t seem to matter what you write or how you write it, if someone likes your work, you will hear about it. There’s still a lot of crap out there, and always will be, in eBooks and hard copies. 10) I CAN’T FIND THE TIME or PLACE TO WRITE: Then shut the hell up and quit telling everyone you want to write a book. Got a page written? Whoopee-ding, break out the bubbly. A first draft? Now we’re talkin’. What are your thoughts? Is there any other myths you would like to add? In writing my novel and poetry books, I soon realized that selling them as E Books is surely not easy. Have a good day. Keith In today's society it is hard at times to not let our minds become cluttered. Soceity is fast paced, technology is roaring, and we always have to think ahead to keep up. With all of this our mind becomes cluttered with all different kinds of things. It often becomes hard to keep the junk separate from the things we really need to think about, and then we become preoccupied and find we have trouble getting things taken care of. This leads to stress, then to health issues, and so on. Here is a link to a cool little quiz http://goo.gl/R4iv3b that tells you the percentage of how cluttered your mind is, I scored a 41. Take the quiz and feel free to comment, have a good day .
Spring will be here very soon, in fact daylight savings time is less than a month away. It has been a mild winter here in New Mexico. I have friends on the east coast and they are having a rough go at winter. I love spring, it is a re-birth , a freshness and growth of all living organisms. Including us. Most people I talk to always feel better in the sunny days of spring. Moods enhance, attitudes more positive, especially if one is coming out of a bad winter. Something interesting however is that in the prison system there are more suicides among inmates during spring than any other time of the year. This is because it is a time of re-birth, a time of new life, but to them, nothing is new. They may be in their particular place in life for the rest of it, and they feel there is nothing to look forward to, they get depressed and so they commit suicide. Feel free to share your thoughts and have a good day.
|
AuthorKeith Kelly currently lives in Rio Rancho New Mexico. Archives
October 2020
Categories |