So You Want to be a Writer by Marilyn Meredith

Some things you need to know, if you want to be a writer.

1. Read the kind of books you want to write.

     (You have no idea how often someone has told me they want to write a book someday, then say they don't have time to read.)

2. Learn as much as you can about the craft of writing.

    (That means read books and magazines about writing, check blogs and other Internet sources that are about writing. Go to writers' conferences. This includes learning the rules of grammar.)

3. Join a critique group.

    (You must be able to take criticism. Never argue with folks who make suggestions. You don't have to do everything they say, but do take a look at whatever has been pointed out.)

4. Write.

    (Put yourself on a schedule and write at least 5 times a week. You can't be a writer unless you write.)

5. Never send anything off to a publisher or agent without first getting it edited.

    (Use a professional editor, not your spouse or best friend.)

6. Never send anything off to a publisher or agent without first reading and following their guidelines.

    (That means only sending the kind of book they want and in the proper format.)

7. Be prepared to do your own promoting.

    (Promoting is a big part of writing if you expect to sell books.)

8. Don't expect to become rich.

    (Very few writers make enough to live on.)

9. Understand the Amazon numbers under a book.

   (The higher the numbers the less the sales.)

10. And if you really want to be a writer, never give up.

     (Learn from your rejections and keep on writing.)

Marilyn aka F. M. Meredith

(My first book received nearly 30 rejections before it found a publisher. I reworte it several times in the process. And my future books also received rejetions. Now I have nearly 40 pubished books.)

http://fictionforyou.com
http://marilynmeredith.blogspot.com