“I want to write a book!”
“I’ve written a book!”
“My (friend, cousin, mother, kid, etc…) has written a book!”
They say (and by “they” I mean the Internets) that 85% of the population wants to write a book. Maybe you’ve always dreamed of it. Maybe you’ve started one. Maybe you’ve even finished one. I added this page because I know that some of you who check out this site are not necessarily interested in my book, but you are writers looking for any tidbit of info.
So here are my tidbits:
1 – Finish the book.
“Wanting to write” and “having written” are two very different things. If you want to be a writer, then make your first goal to write the entire story. Start to finish. You’d be surprised how few people do this first step.
2 – Conferences
There is no excuse anymore to not learn. Writers do most of their work in isolation and yet can learn a tremendous amount by joining together and learning from one another. Conferences take place all over the nation. Find one and go. They are worth every penny. You won’t regret it.
3 – Professional Organizations
Depending on what genre you write, there is likely a professional writer’s organization that you can join. I write for kids and teens so my hands-down favorite organization is SCBWI – the Society of Children’s Book Writers & Illustrators. But there is also one for Science Fiction writers or romance or literary. Google it and explore the possibilities.
4 – Professional Feedback
Yes, the Internet has made it possible for anyone to upload a book from anywhere with a few clicks. Just because you “can” doesn’t mean you “should”. My new book went through countless rounds of edits – and that was after they loved it and bought it! Behind every great writer is a great editor who can see things an author will be blind to. Get critiques by fellow writers and improve the manuscript as much as possible before seeking an agent or editor. If you want to self-publish – go for it – but do yourself a favor and fork out the money for a professional edit. Your novel will be far stronger if you do. I could go on and on about this, but I will refrain:-)
Tidbit over. Happy writing!
~sj~
Sarah Jeffrey 