*** Just letting everyone know this is just my opinion and advice.
Some may say "HEY THATS NOT RIGHT" or some may agree 100%, but the key thing is, we can agree to disagreed. I have had the
pleasure of working in various areas of publishing word, as a writer, book cover designer, submission reader and anything
in between. So I know a little something, maybe not all but heres my two cents. Hey read it just to get a laugh *smile*. I
hope this helps someone out there who looking to be published one day.***
D'Stith
*********************************************
1. Pray for direction. At least before you start writing, have an idea if you want to write
a novel, short story, a poem or just a journal,etc...etc.
2. Gain knowledge of the subject you writing about. Its good to give the audience some information
on the topic that they may not have known, maybe a good twist. Do research on various places, events or spots in your
book. If you writing about the Mardi Gras write realistically about it in your story. The internet is a GIANT ELECTRONIC
LIBRARY. Use it. SHow your stuff!
3. Take a certain time of the day or night that you can just sit and meditate on your writings.
Surround yourself with comfort. I play jazz music and drink coffee and day...lol..I think its really tough to write while
you on the internet unless you have everyone blocked. Yet at times I have to be online, because its easier to do research
that way. Whichever works best for you.
4. Get yourself a notebook, note cards, plenty of pens and a highlighter. What I'm learning
now is to take note cards and label them. For example if I'm doing a scene in a French Restuarant in Chapter 2, I may put
Chapter 2- French Restaurant-Menu, then on that card put the menu. So when I'm writing, I can incorporate the menu from the
card on to my scene.
Take notes of all your characters and their lives, special interest, family names, etc. Trust
me. By the time you get to chapter 20, you may forget that Susie had a dog name Joe that she got from Sally. If you
don't take notes the dog may be name Susie and have a puppy name Sally. hahahha..Trust me. It will happen if you don't take
notes. Nothing worse than to have to read through 5 chapters to remember a characters middle name. lol..lol
5. When a juicy tidbit of information pop in your head. Write it down. Don't trust you will
remember it. WHen you write, your mind is a vast open ground, full of characters and places and you are apt to forget something
or you don't jot..jot...jot..
6. Let your characters flow the story. It may sound strange. *well I think us writers
are a little strange*. But characters will play themselves through a storyline if you let them. If something is not flowing,
don't force it. Sometimes you may have to skip a chapter and move to the next and come back. When I wrote my novel "Savior
FLava" I got to the middle and just froze. I then had to write backwards. I did the last chapters and came to the point of
the middle and started writing the middle for last. Each person is different, which gets me to the next point.
7. Develop your own writing style. What works for Toni Morrison or Jerome Dickey may not work
for you. Each writer has his own voice and style. If you not one to write urban, don't try and force it. Personally
I am not one who writes very descriptive at times. I describe things but you rarely will read "the glistening rock cascaded
down the smokey colored mountainside" in a book I write. NOPE THATS NOT ME! But hey many say thats how one should write.
Your audience will feel your style and your story will flow. Imitation will lead to frustration. Be yourself and trust that
others will appreciate your style.
8. Surround yourself with positive people. Ones that believe in what you doing. Many people
shrug writing off as a hobby, but in actuality true writing is an art. Make room for those who appreciate the artist
in you.
9. I should have said earlier, but never to late. COPYRIGHT your work before you send it off
to various places or people. This protects you, even though one can't copyright a idea for a story, i.e the idea of a girl
going to a strange land *can be interpreted as Alice In Wonderland or Wizard of OZ. You see my point, both are from the same
idea, but different stories. I send my unfinished works to maybe one or two trusted friends then I go from there.
10. Join other writing groups with fellow writers. The support and information you gain is
so valuable. Its like a support network and can be very inspiring.
11. Ok these thoughts are random, but on book covers. Have a vision or idea what you want
and then discuss with your designer. Keep your vision in mind but listen to their advice too. Your book cover is the opening
door to your book. So be firm but open minded to advice.
12. ON children's book, research again. Check out the vocabulary words that are taught in
that age group. Learn what mannerisms are being taught. Write for a child, using the mind set of a child. My critics are my
3 kids and they do their job well..lol
13. Look at the market carefully and decide how you want to publish. If you want to invest
the time in self-publishing or wait on acceptance notice that may take months for a traditional publisher. There are many
avenues to take and one must do whats best for them.
14. Please don't take rejection personally. You may have a best seller, but the publishers
book list is full. Rejection does not mean your work is bad. Its just not fitting for the one you had sent it to. Rejections
will come by the 100s, but remember its always a chance of that 1 acceptance. It will be worth it.
15. Write daily. Even if its not your book you writing on. Have a journal that you exercise
your thoughts. Today a blog is a great tool to use to express views.
16. Make sure the publisher or magazine you sending your writing to is in the market you targeting,
be familiar with their audience and type of articles or books they publish. Send query letters to the right person in charge.
PLEASE DON"T EMAIL THEM A THOUSAND TIMES WITH QUESTIONS...this is a almost IMMEDIATE REJECTION. Patience is truly virtue.
Can't say I have it, but I'm trying. lol
17. Get yourself a mentor or maybe another writer that has been through the publishing
process, maybe even one who can critique your work before its sent out. They can search as your writing "Fitness coach". I
don't mind helping anyone who may have a question. My email door is open.
18. When you type your MSS, its best to use a plain font like Times Roman or Arial,
a 12pt font. No fancy fonts. Save your document in a Word format. Use that spell check daily and watch for grammatical
errors if you can. Once again its good to have a friend to look over things before you send it out.
19. Set up a plan how you want to market your books. Contact libraries, book stores, target
groups that you are writing to. Join book clubs and seek to get reviews once the book is release. Learn how to do press release,
sells sheet and bookmarks. Marketing is the roughest part of writing. Its fun writing the story. But you have to let the world
know . THE STORY EXIST!!
20. Remain open minded and stress free and don't life too serious during the rough times.
Remember we all have a story to tell!! TELL YOURS AND BE PROUD.
**Ok its soooooooo much more I can say and I may add things as I go along, but hey this enough
to chew on for now...lol..**
LIVI
Anybody can become a writer, but the trick is to STAY a writer. - Harlan
Ellison
