I am always looking for advice from well-established writers. One that I have heard over and over again is to stop using the phrase "aspiring writer." This is not an entirely new concept. During my college years in Nashville, I made some extra cash by acting in local commercials, country music videos (it WAS Nashville, after all), and independent and student films. I even had an agent to represent me in my last year there. It was fun, and I met a lot of people, many of whom were "aspiring" somethings--actors, directors, singers. And that phrase always bothered me. After all, if you were DOING, then you were no longer aspiring. The title itself seems to suggest someone who isn't doing anything at all.
Therefore, if you write, you are a writer. You may not be a professional writer or a bestselling writer or even a prolific or talented writer, but you are a writer nonetheless. If you just think about writing, talk about writing, then you are an aspiring writer.
And therein lies the rub, for me at least.
It is so easy to talk about myself as a writer, but it is becoming increasingly more difficult to actually find the time and the energy to do it. That should be evident from the frightening length of time that I have let go between blog entries. Like most writers I know, I have to deal with the real world. I love the idea of sitting at my desk at home for uninterrupted stretches of time so that I can really explore my ideas while the money flows in. But that is not most writer's reality. I have a full-time job, a house to clean, dinners to cook, grocery shopping and laundry to catch up on, and a husband and a ten-week-old son to take care of. Sure, the ideas are flowing, but I'm lucky if I can find the scrap paper to jot them down on (forget actually remembering where I put the piece of paper with the "brilliant" idea on it). When can I find the time to write? (Even now, I am writing this because I am at the mechanics getting my car fixed while the baby is with his grandmother for the afternoon).
I love to write--I just have to make it work. I write this now not as a complaint, but as a kind of manifesto, a reminder to myself that if I want to be a writer, I have to write. Period.
So, to all those other writers out there, I am fighting with you. Here is a reminder to not be aspiring writers. Aspire to make that novel a bestselling one. Aspire to be more talented, more prolific, more widely read. But don't aspire to write. Just write. Write when you get that free moment while waiting for your car's air-conditioner to be fixed. Write at four a.m. just after you put your son down after his feeding. Write in those stolen moments as well as the planned ones. Just write.
Because that is what writers do.
Showing posts with label The Writing Process. Show all posts
Showing posts with label The Writing Process. Show all posts
Thursday, March 1, 2012
Wednesday, October 26, 2011
The Hour Is Almost Here...
And, no, I don't mean Halloween (though I am also counting the hours to that favorite holiday).
It's almost time for NaNoWriMo!
It's almost time for NaNoWriMo!
Last year, I followed the progress of all those writers participating in National Novel Writing Month with a little trepidation and jealousy--kind of like a kid who stands on the edge of the playground watching the other kids but is too shy to join in on all the games.
This year, though, I am going to jump right in. For those who don't know, the goal is to write 50,000 words in the month of November. The project should be a new novel (nothing previously worked on), and it doesn't have to end at 50,000 words. Many writers continue with their project after the end of the month.
It's quite an undertaking, to be sure, but I think it is reachable. I wrote my first novel by setting a 2,000 word a day goal for myself, which seems close to what NaNoWriMo expects.
The goal of NaNoWriMo seems to go beyond the word count, though. The true goal just seems to be about getting serious about writing--to make it a habit, to develop a work ethic. But to have fun with it at the same time--to joyfully jump into writing without stressing over what makes a perfect sentence or the "just right" word. It's also about joining a community of writers, people who share my love for language, for writing, but who also share my phobias and fears about tackling "the great novel."
NaNoWriMo, above all, is about stopping the talk of "I'll write a novel...one day" and actually doing it.
And with that in mind....here I go!
Thursday, March 3, 2011
A Little Bragging and A Lot of Doubt
Please allow for a little shameless plug:
New story up on Horror Bound Online Magazine!!
Now on to the real business.
I'm beginning to realize an entirely new anxiety when it comes to my writing. I recently began shopping my novel around to different publishers. I thought it would be a huge relief, a weight off my shoulders. And I guess to some extent it was. I certainly felt a sense of accomplishment. What surprised me was the nervousness. I felt like a mom sending her baby out into the big, bad world. I understand the worry Dr. Frankenstein felt when he unleashed his monster.
I begin to worry if I wrote enough, if I rewrote enough, if I edited enough.
In the end, I know I can't allow myself to worry. After all, people will think what they will about my writing. Some will love me; some will hate me.
I just need to grow a thicker skin.
And now I play the waiting game. Crossing my fingers that the novel will find a new home soon. :)
Until then, novel number two will get its start, and with it, the writing process comes full circle. It's hard to worry about the last one when beginning an entirely new love affair with a new plot, new characters....ahh, my heart races just to think of it!
New story up on Horror Bound Online Magazine!!
Now on to the real business.
I'm beginning to realize an entirely new anxiety when it comes to my writing. I recently began shopping my novel around to different publishers. I thought it would be a huge relief, a weight off my shoulders. And I guess to some extent it was. I certainly felt a sense of accomplishment. What surprised me was the nervousness. I felt like a mom sending her baby out into the big, bad world. I understand the worry Dr. Frankenstein felt when he unleashed his monster.
I begin to worry if I wrote enough, if I rewrote enough, if I edited enough.
In the end, I know I can't allow myself to worry. After all, people will think what they will about my writing. Some will love me; some will hate me.
I just need to grow a thicker skin.
And now I play the waiting game. Crossing my fingers that the novel will find a new home soon. :)
Until then, novel number two will get its start, and with it, the writing process comes full circle. It's hard to worry about the last one when beginning an entirely new love affair with a new plot, new characters....ahh, my heart races just to think of it!
Friday, February 4, 2011
A New Dictionary for a New Year
Now that we are fully into 2011, I thought I would comment on our ever-changing lexicon. After many years acting as a writer, editor, and teacher, I have witnessed many funny misuses of our English language. NOTE: Some words have been altered to protect the guilty. Here's a few for your viewing pleasure:
Conjusted (word attempted was congested): the justice we feel when our coworkers, who so smugly said that they never get the flu because they take the flu shot/vitamin C/zinc, come down with a head cold, complete with red nose, watery eyes, hacking cough, and overall feeling of "blah." We don't want to say "I told you so," but...
Spermatic (word attempted was sporadic): the ATM at the sperm bank. Now with no fees for early withdrawal!
Presindents (word attempted was presents): the gift that keeps on giving. Every election year, all the good boys and girls wait for St. Nick to leave them shiny new Nixons and Clintons under the tree.
Absorptions (word attempted was abortions): people are currently marching for sponge rights as we speak.
Neuter and Spay (in this case the right word was used, but the meaning was confused for nurture and spray): This month is "Spay and Neuter Your Animal Month." Remember, be kind to your animal. You should neuter your dog or cat every day. They need your love! And spay at least twice a month. More often is your pet is prone to getting dirty. A clean animal is a healthy animal!
Yes, spelling can be a challenge. But never fear! Your spelling can be improved with punctuation. When in doubt, sprinkle in a few commas or apostrophes for good measure.
Weath'er (word attempted was weather): the technical term for an interrupted weather pattern. Used most often during days with scattered rain showers.
Room'mate (word attempted was roommate): when you want to ensure your flatmate is from Down Under.
Petal,stool (word attempted was pedestal): because sometimes honoring someone isn't enough. In those times, you need to find a chair shaped like a flower.
Heehee. I really can't stop laughing at that last one.
DISCLAIMER: These were (mostly) real errors, though none of them came from my student essays (so all my students can breathe a sigh of relief).
Conjusted (word attempted was congested): the justice we feel when our coworkers, who so smugly said that they never get the flu because they take the flu shot/vitamin C/zinc, come down with a head cold, complete with red nose, watery eyes, hacking cough, and overall feeling of "blah." We don't want to say "I told you so," but...
Spermatic (word attempted was sporadic): the ATM at the sperm bank. Now with no fees for early withdrawal!
Presindents (word attempted was presents): the gift that keeps on giving. Every election year, all the good boys and girls wait for St. Nick to leave them shiny new Nixons and Clintons under the tree.
Absorptions (word attempted was abortions): people are currently marching for sponge rights as we speak.
Neuter and Spay (in this case the right word was used, but the meaning was confused for nurture and spray): This month is "Spay and Neuter Your Animal Month." Remember, be kind to your animal. You should neuter your dog or cat every day. They need your love! And spay at least twice a month. More often is your pet is prone to getting dirty. A clean animal is a healthy animal!
Yes, spelling can be a challenge. But never fear! Your spelling can be improved with punctuation. When in doubt, sprinkle in a few commas or apostrophes for good measure.
Weath'er (word attempted was weather): the technical term for an interrupted weather pattern. Used most often during days with scattered rain showers.
Room'mate (word attempted was roommate): when you want to ensure your flatmate is from Down Under.
Petal,stool (word attempted was pedestal): because sometimes honoring someone isn't enough. In those times, you need to find a chair shaped like a flower.
Heehee. I really can't stop laughing at that last one.
DISCLAIMER: These were (mostly) real errors, though none of them came from my student essays (so all my students can breathe a sigh of relief).
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
There Is No "Aspiring" Here
I don't know what has gotten into me lately. I don't know if it has been the New Year, what with all the resolutions floating around out there, or the fact that I *officially* entered into adulthood (which I measure by leaving my 20's for that oh-so-grown-up world of my 30's), but recently I have been really productive. My career has seemed more important to me now more than ever. Don't get me wrong; it's a good space to inhabit, but it is new for me. I used to treat writing as something I enjoyed doing; I ranked it right next to watching B-rated horror flicks and eating burgers and fries.
Something has flipped in my head and now work is something I have to do (not as in a tedious chore, but if I don't write on I daily basis, then I begin to feel "off"). It's something I'm passionate about. Something I love.
Something I take seriously.
My change in attitude, I suspect, comes mainly from finishing my first novel. Even now, as I write this, it sits next to me, a tall stack of gleaming white pages neatly placed into a cardboard box. It's ready to send out, all decked out for the debutante ball.
But am I ready for the publishing circus? Sure, I'm used to sending short stories out. I'm used to the seemingly endless revolving door of magazine editors, journal editorial staff, rejection letters, notices of shortlisting...
The novel, though? It seems like entirely new territory. Like everything else in my life, I've made a plan:
1) I've made a list all the potentials: agents, publishers, even contests. Anything I can do to get my name and my novel out there.
2) I've ranked the publishers. I am using the strategy of contacting the top ones first. My idea is that if I can get a large press behind me, then that must be better than a smaller press. I know there are advantages to the small press, but I think a bigger press may be the way to go.
3) I've researched my contests. I'm looking for those with good reputations and small (if any) entry fees. Any win or nomination will help with publicity. And, of course, those cash prizes couldn't hurt.
4) I've polished (and polished and polished) my novel and my cover letter. Let's hope it's enough to get mine out of the slush pile and into an editor's hands. *fingers crossed*
5) I actually got this tip from the Horror Writer's Association (http://www.horror.org/writetips.htm): Be a professional in the field. That means acting like a writer. Not an aspiring writer. Not a writer/teacher or writer/mother or writer/anything else. Just a writer. I think this means how you present yourself to the world. I think it also means making yourself active in the field. I do plan to join some associations, attend some conferences, meet some people...all in the name of establishing myself as a horror writer.
And I am a horror writer. No aspiring here.
Something has flipped in my head and now work is something I have to do (not as in a tedious chore, but if I don't write on I daily basis, then I begin to feel "off"). It's something I'm passionate about. Something I love.
Something I take seriously.
My change in attitude, I suspect, comes mainly from finishing my first novel. Even now, as I write this, it sits next to me, a tall stack of gleaming white pages neatly placed into a cardboard box. It's ready to send out, all decked out for the debutante ball.
But am I ready for the publishing circus? Sure, I'm used to sending short stories out. I'm used to the seemingly endless revolving door of magazine editors, journal editorial staff, rejection letters, notices of shortlisting...
The novel, though? It seems like entirely new territory. Like everything else in my life, I've made a plan:
1) I've made a list all the potentials: agents, publishers, even contests. Anything I can do to get my name and my novel out there.
2) I've ranked the publishers. I am using the strategy of contacting the top ones first. My idea is that if I can get a large press behind me, then that must be better than a smaller press. I know there are advantages to the small press, but I think a bigger press may be the way to go.
3) I've researched my contests. I'm looking for those with good reputations and small (if any) entry fees. Any win or nomination will help with publicity. And, of course, those cash prizes couldn't hurt.
4) I've polished (and polished and polished) my novel and my cover letter. Let's hope it's enough to get mine out of the slush pile and into an editor's hands. *fingers crossed*
5) I actually got this tip from the Horror Writer's Association (http://www.horror.org/writetips.htm): Be a professional in the field. That means acting like a writer. Not an aspiring writer. Not a writer/teacher or writer/mother or writer/anything else. Just a writer. I think this means how you present yourself to the world. I think it also means making yourself active in the field. I do plan to join some associations, attend some conferences, meet some people...all in the name of establishing myself as a horror writer.
And I am a horror writer. No aspiring here.
Friday, January 7, 2011
New Year's Resolution for 2011
I must admit that I've never really been one to set resolutions for myself at the beginning of each year. It has always felt like I was setting myself up for failure. I think I heard somewhere that almost half of people who set New Year's resolutions break them within a week.
A WEEK!
Now, that is depressing. Why would I set out to disappoint myself? I do, however, believe in setting goals. I am the type of person who is both competitive (though, mostly with myself and not other people) and an immense slacker. I will procrastinate something I need to do forever...unless I have a deadline to meet. If I set myself a deadline, no matter how arbitrary, I will race to get everything done before that time comes.
Take my writing as an example. If I haven't written anything in a while, then I might set myself a goal of finishing a new story every two weeks. With the flash fictions, I have sat down and said, "You have two hours to get out a 500-word story." This has worked for me, probably because I hate to fail. I'm a perfectionist to my core. If I set out to do something, I do it, or else I feel like crap, the fear and loathing sets in...I'm sure all the other perfectionists out there know the feeling.
Last year, my goal was to finish my first novel. I right now have a completed draft. All it needs is some polishing; then, I hope to send it out by the end of January. Another goal I'm racing towards.
So, what is in store for 2011?
Sure, I've made my usual goals. Exercise is a perennial favorite of mine. I plan to run (jog?) my first 5K by May. I want to travel more. Prague should be in the cards for this summer.
And, of course, I want to write more. Last year, I tried to stick to a 1000-word goal for every day. This year, I want to aim for 1500-2000 a day. Sleep may not be on the "goal" list of 2011...
My most important goal is to make 2011 the year of being fearless.
I've spent so much time in my life being afraid. Afraid of failure. Afraid of what people might think of me. Afraid of what might happen if I do succeed. Sounds crazy I know, but last year I got a little taste of what it felt like to be fearless. Here's what I learned:
1. Fear will only stall you. I didn't write some things for fear of what people might think of me. I was afraid they would think I was weird or strange. That's a real danger when you write in the horror genre. You spill enough blood and guts on the page and people begin to look at you like you something may not be all okay with you. That happened to me. People have called me "sick" and "interesting" (said with a frightened, deer-in-the-headlights look in their eyes). Yes, some people may not like what I write, but that's okay. I've survived their criticisms, but for every person who thinks my writing is odd, there is a whole group of people who love what I write. If I worried about everyone who didn't like my fiction, then nothing would ever get written.
2. Failure is not an evil word. I almost trashed a short story that I had written. In a moment of self-doubt, I didn't want to send out a story that I feared people wouldn't "get." It was my first attempt at humor in the horror genre, and I was convinced that I wasn't a funny person. My husband convinced me it was a great story. I sucked it up and sent the story out. It was short-listed on its second time out! I am still waiting to hear if it will get published, but even if it doesn't, that is okay. People like the story, and I know that it will get picked up in one market or another.
3. Criticisms are meant to helpful, not hurtful. I used to worry if someone would say something negative about my work, so much so that I would shut down if they criticized my fiction. Now, I've learned to push down the feelings of inadequacy and really open my ears to what my readers are saying. Usually, they help me to make my writing better.
4. Writing is hard work. This was a big one for me to learn last year. I wanted anything I wrote to "flow easily" and to be perfect the first time. I was not prepared to work long hours at the computer, going over and over the same story until it was polished. I thought to be talented you had to be perfect the first time, but I've since learned that no one is. Writing is in the rewriting. Most first drafts are horrendous. That's why we revise and polish. That is also why we sometimes trash ideas completely when they don't work. It doesn't mean I am untalented nor a failure. It means I am a writer.
5. Instinct is a gift; listen to it! I actually stole this one from Felicia Day's blog (http://feliciaday.com/blog). She is someone I admire immensely. She basically said that improv acting taught her to listen to her gut instinct and not what others might say nor what "logic" might dictate. I realized as I read her words that I am guilty of listening more to that fear voice in my head (the one that says everyone will laugh or that I might fail) rather than listening to my gut, which is usually right. It might mean taking a leap of faith, even if I am scared, but the payoff will be worth it in the end.
So, no resolutions here. Just one goal: be fearless.
If I ever doubt myself, I just have to look at that novel I wrote that is sitting on my desk. Even if it never gets published, I did that. I ignored my fear voice and wrote a novel. My gut tells me I'll see it in a bookstore one day. Until then, I can only keep writing.
I hope all of you will keep writing too. Or painting. Or singing. Or playing the mandolin. Whatever it is that you want to do. Just remember to be fearless.
A WEEK!
Now, that is depressing. Why would I set out to disappoint myself? I do, however, believe in setting goals. I am the type of person who is both competitive (though, mostly with myself and not other people) and an immense slacker. I will procrastinate something I need to do forever...unless I have a deadline to meet. If I set myself a deadline, no matter how arbitrary, I will race to get everything done before that time comes.
Take my writing as an example. If I haven't written anything in a while, then I might set myself a goal of finishing a new story every two weeks. With the flash fictions, I have sat down and said, "You have two hours to get out a 500-word story." This has worked for me, probably because I hate to fail. I'm a perfectionist to my core. If I set out to do something, I do it, or else I feel like crap, the fear and loathing sets in...I'm sure all the other perfectionists out there know the feeling.
Last year, my goal was to finish my first novel. I right now have a completed draft. All it needs is some polishing; then, I hope to send it out by the end of January. Another goal I'm racing towards.
So, what is in store for 2011?
Sure, I've made my usual goals. Exercise is a perennial favorite of mine. I plan to run (jog?) my first 5K by May. I want to travel more. Prague should be in the cards for this summer.
And, of course, I want to write more. Last year, I tried to stick to a 1000-word goal for every day. This year, I want to aim for 1500-2000 a day. Sleep may not be on the "goal" list of 2011...
My most important goal is to make 2011 the year of being fearless.
I've spent so much time in my life being afraid. Afraid of failure. Afraid of what people might think of me. Afraid of what might happen if I do succeed. Sounds crazy I know, but last year I got a little taste of what it felt like to be fearless. Here's what I learned:
1. Fear will only stall you. I didn't write some things for fear of what people might think of me. I was afraid they would think I was weird or strange. That's a real danger when you write in the horror genre. You spill enough blood and guts on the page and people begin to look at you like you something may not be all okay with you. That happened to me. People have called me "sick" and "interesting" (said with a frightened, deer-in-the-headlights look in their eyes). Yes, some people may not like what I write, but that's okay. I've survived their criticisms, but for every person who thinks my writing is odd, there is a whole group of people who love what I write. If I worried about everyone who didn't like my fiction, then nothing would ever get written.
2. Failure is not an evil word. I almost trashed a short story that I had written. In a moment of self-doubt, I didn't want to send out a story that I feared people wouldn't "get." It was my first attempt at humor in the horror genre, and I was convinced that I wasn't a funny person. My husband convinced me it was a great story. I sucked it up and sent the story out. It was short-listed on its second time out! I am still waiting to hear if it will get published, but even if it doesn't, that is okay. People like the story, and I know that it will get picked up in one market or another.
3. Criticisms are meant to helpful, not hurtful. I used to worry if someone would say something negative about my work, so much so that I would shut down if they criticized my fiction. Now, I've learned to push down the feelings of inadequacy and really open my ears to what my readers are saying. Usually, they help me to make my writing better.
4. Writing is hard work. This was a big one for me to learn last year. I wanted anything I wrote to "flow easily" and to be perfect the first time. I was not prepared to work long hours at the computer, going over and over the same story until it was polished. I thought to be talented you had to be perfect the first time, but I've since learned that no one is. Writing is in the rewriting. Most first drafts are horrendous. That's why we revise and polish. That is also why we sometimes trash ideas completely when they don't work. It doesn't mean I am untalented nor a failure. It means I am a writer.
5. Instinct is a gift; listen to it! I actually stole this one from Felicia Day's blog (http://feliciaday.com/blog). She is someone I admire immensely. She basically said that improv acting taught her to listen to her gut instinct and not what others might say nor what "logic" might dictate. I realized as I read her words that I am guilty of listening more to that fear voice in my head (the one that says everyone will laugh or that I might fail) rather than listening to my gut, which is usually right. It might mean taking a leap of faith, even if I am scared, but the payoff will be worth it in the end.
So, no resolutions here. Just one goal: be fearless.
If I ever doubt myself, I just have to look at that novel I wrote that is sitting on my desk. Even if it never gets published, I did that. I ignored my fear voice and wrote a novel. My gut tells me I'll see it in a bookstore one day. Until then, I can only keep writing.
I hope all of you will keep writing too. Or painting. Or singing. Or playing the mandolin. Whatever it is that you want to do. Just remember to be fearless.
Saturday, November 13, 2010
One Writer's Journey
I have had moderate success in my writing since I began pursuing it as a career just over a year ago. I've always liked writing, and books are a true obsession for me. I graduated with my Ph.D. in English Literature in 2009 and have been looking for work since then. When (like many of my colleagues) I could only get part-time adjunct work, I decided to use my free time at home to really work on my fiction. Since then, I've gotten numerous flash pieces published (thanks, MicroHorror! http://microhorror.com/microhorror); I've also had great encouragement from publishers. Like many writers know, the rejection letter is inevitable. What I didn't know is that it can also be cruel and kind in various degrees. At first, I was only receiving the typical "Thanks, but no thanks" letters. These were short, sweet, form letters that usually arrived quickly. Then, I began to notice the letters getting longer and more flattering. I continued to work on my prose, polishing my fiction, and sent those stories out again and again--making sure to wear my armor for all those rejections I knew were coming.
One day, the letter was a personal one. The editor personally complimented my work! It was another rejection, but I did get a request to send more stories. I have found that these kinds of rejections are becoming more and more common, and I'm taking that as good news. It's a sign that my work is being enjoyed; I just have to find the right market.
I think every writer needs a little encouragement now and then. This is not the easiest of professions, especially with all of the denials. I have found a few tips that have worked in building my confidence as a writer, and I hope these will help you as well:
1. Don't stop writing! Keep those fingers constantly on a pen or a keyboard. I hear too many people saying they want to be writers and they are doing little to no actual writing.
2. Don't stop reading. Read anything and everything (and not just writers like yourself--read lots of genres). How else will you learn what good writing is? How will you know what bad writing is?
3. Know your craft. I have found several books on writing helpful. Stephen King's On Writing has been immensely helpful; he gives clear and practical advice.
Also, every writer needs a good grammar handbook. I have several, including Strunk and White's handbook, which King recommends.
Once you do have writing you are ready to send out into the world, The Writer's Market will be invaluable in telling you where to send your material, as well as useful tips on how to write a cover letter.
If it sounds like a lot of work, it is! At times, it can be difficult to continue writing, especially when you have little or no paycheck for what amounts to a full time job, but we don't do it for the money, or the fame, or the bragging rights. If you're anything like me, you do it for the sheer love of it. I cannot imagine doing anything else, which brings me to my last point.
4. Have fun!
A friend of mine (another writer) recommended the "I Write Like" website (http://iwl.me/). It allows you to submit portions of your work and the "analyzer" tells you who you write like. This is mine:
http://iwl.me/s/b3a26720
Too much fun! Another internet addiction in the making...
Cheers to all of you, and happy writing!
One day, the letter was a personal one. The editor personally complimented my work! It was another rejection, but I did get a request to send more stories. I have found that these kinds of rejections are becoming more and more common, and I'm taking that as good news. It's a sign that my work is being enjoyed; I just have to find the right market.
I think every writer needs a little encouragement now and then. This is not the easiest of professions, especially with all of the denials. I have found a few tips that have worked in building my confidence as a writer, and I hope these will help you as well:
1. Don't stop writing! Keep those fingers constantly on a pen or a keyboard. I hear too many people saying they want to be writers and they are doing little to no actual writing.
2. Don't stop reading. Read anything and everything (and not just writers like yourself--read lots of genres). How else will you learn what good writing is? How will you know what bad writing is?
3. Know your craft. I have found several books on writing helpful. Stephen King's On Writing has been immensely helpful; he gives clear and practical advice.
Also, every writer needs a good grammar handbook. I have several, including Strunk and White's handbook, which King recommends.
Once you do have writing you are ready to send out into the world, The Writer's Market will be invaluable in telling you where to send your material, as well as useful tips on how to write a cover letter.
If it sounds like a lot of work, it is! At times, it can be difficult to continue writing, especially when you have little or no paycheck for what amounts to a full time job, but we don't do it for the money, or the fame, or the bragging rights. If you're anything like me, you do it for the sheer love of it. I cannot imagine doing anything else, which brings me to my last point.
4. Have fun!
A friend of mine (another writer) recommended the "I Write Like" website (http://iwl.me/). It allows you to submit portions of your work and the "analyzer" tells you who you write like. This is mine:
http://iwl.me/s/b3a26720
Too much fun! Another internet addiction in the making...
Cheers to all of you, and happy writing!
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