| |
| |
| |
What This Book Can Do for You | |
| |
| |
Basic Wisdom | |
| |
| |
| |
Anyone who writes is a writer | |
| |
| |
| |
Every writer starts out as a beginner | |
| |
| |
| |
Some writers are born, but most of us are trained | |
| |
| |
| |
Writing isn't inherently noble, painful, or glamorous | |
| |
| |
| |
Writing is an act and a process, not a definition of who you are | |
| |
| |
| |
The only way to discover whether you have writing talent is to write | |
| |
| |
| |
There is no single "right" way to write | |
| |
| |
| |
Nothing will teach you more about writing than the act of writing itself | |
| |
| |
| |
Each writer builds their skills at their own rate of speed | |
| |
| |
| |
You can safely ignore most of the "have to's" you've been taught about writing | |
| |
| |
| |
Outfit yourself with a few basic reference volumes | |
| |
| |
| |
To get the most out of writing, write what you would enjoy reading | |
| |
| |
| |
Getting published isn't hard, but getting published in prominent places is | |
| |
| |
| |
Being published doesn't make you a better writer or person | |
| |
| |
| |
Beware of anyone who wants money from you to read, represent, or publish your work | |
| |
| |
| |
Unless you're rich or have substantial savings, don't quit your job to become a freelance writer | |
| |
| |
| |
Ask yourself honestly what you want to get out of writing. Then make that your goal | |
| |
| |
| |
If you don't like what you're writing--or the act of writing in general--you can always stop | |
| |
| |
The Writing Process | |
| |
| |
| |
Each person's writing process is unique | |
| |
| |
| |
Discover the times, places, and circumstances that help you write at your best | |
| |
| |
| |
Some writers find it very helpful to keep a journal or notebook | |
| |
| |
| |
You can start work on a piece of writing almost anywhere--with an event, a person, a quotation, an image, an idea, a setting, or just about anything else | |
| |
| |
| |
You don't have to know where your piece is going when you begin writing it | |
| |
| |
| |
You don't have to write your piece in the same order in which people will ultimately read it | |
| |
| |
| |
To help structure your piece or organize your ideas, try outlining or netlining | |
| |
| |
| |
When you're not sure what word, phrase, or image to use, skip over it | |
| |
| |
| |
Write more words than you need--then cut the excess later | |
| |
| |
| |
Be willing to take risks and make mistakes | |
| |
| |
| |
Ignore the perfectionist, the worrier, and the nitpicker inside your head | |
| |
| |
| |
Virtually all writers need to revise and edit their work--often many times | |
| |
| |
| |
Read your work aloud after each draft--and as you edit | |
| |
| |
| |
Put your piece aside overnight before each round of revising or editing | |
| |
| |
| |
The final decisions on writing, revising, editing, and publishing anything you've created are yours and yours alone | |
| |
| |
| |
It's fine to work on more than one piece at a time | |
| |
| |
| |
Some writers develop their own distinct style; others change their style from piece to piece | |
| |
| |
| |
"Writer's block" has many different causes--and at least as many solutions | |
| |
| |
| |
Never throw away anything you write | |
| |
| |
Building Your Writing Skills | |
| |
| |
| |
Become familiar with some basic writing terms | |
| |
| |
| |
Get in touch with what inspires you | |
| |
| |
| |
Take time to meditate and ponder | |
| |
| |
| |
Fantasize. Ask "What If?" | |
| |
| |
| |
Show rather than tell | |
| |
| |
| |
Involve your reader's senses | |
| |
| |
| |
Write multiple variations, versions, or scenarios | |
| |
| |
| |
Combine unexpected elements | |
| |
| |
| |
Writing teachers, classes, and workshops range from wonderful to outright harmful | |
| |
| |
| |
Get feedback on your writing from people you trust | |
| |
| |
| |
Consider carefully what others have to say about your writing--but never let their comments overrule your own judgment | |
| |
| |
| |
Follow your heart and gut | |
| |
| |
| |
Let your writing find its own way | |
| |
| |
Making Money from your Writing | |
| |
| |
| |
Understand the difference between a salaried writer, a contract writer, and a freelancer | |
| |
| |
| |
It's possible to get rich by writing--but it doesn't happen often | |
| |
| |
| |
There is far more money in writing for businesses and nonprofits than there is in writing for publication | |
| |
| |
| |
Plan to start out small, then work your way up slowly | |
| |
| |
| |
Most communication fields (publishing, film, TV, etc.) are moderately to highly dysfunctional | |
| |
| |
| |
Nonfiction accounts for 95 percent of all published material, and 95 percent of all the money writers make | |
| |
| |
| |
There are three ways to publish material in periodicals | |
| |
| |
| |
Complete whatever pieces you desire, then submit them for publication | |
| |
| |
| |
Pitch ideas for pieces to editors, then contract in advance to write them; and | |
| |
| |
| |
Write whatever editors ask you to write, on assignment | |
| |
| |
| |
Unless you're dealing with the film or TV industries, you don't have to worry about people stealing your work or ideas. If you are dealing with Hollywood, there is a way to protect yourself and your work | |
| |
| |
| |
You don't need to register your work with the Copyright Office, or mail a copy to yourself, or print a copyright notice on it | |
| |
| |
| |
Unless you become famous, expect to be rejected much or most of the time | |
| |
| |
| |
It's quite simple to establish a pen name for yourself | |
| |
| |
| |
If you're serious about marketing your writing, you must do your own thorough market research | |
| |
| |
| |
Use Writer's Market as one place to begin your market research, but only as a beginning | |
| |
| |
| |
Some of the best-paying publications--and some of the easiest ones to get published in--can't be found at any bookstore or newsstand | |
| |
| |
| |
It's essential to send your work not only to the right publishers, but to the right editors as well | |
| |
| |
| |
You may send the same manuscript to many different editors at once | |
| |
| |
| |
Avoid sending query letters to editors, publishers, and producers | |
| |
| |
| |
Most editors and producers will not give you much feedback on your work | |
| |
| |
| |
When editors and producers do give you feedback, don't take it too seriously most of the time | |
| |
| |
| |
Treat editors, producers, agents, and other media professionals like normal human beings | |
| |
| |
| |
When an unexpected opportunity arises, don't be afraid to grab it | |
| |
| |
| |
Virtually everything in a publishing contract is potentially negotiable | |
| |
| |
| |
Don't be afraid to ask for what you want or need | |
| |
| |
| |
Don't promise anything you can't deliver | |
| |
| |
| |
Most published nonfiction books start out as book proposals | |
| |
| |
| |
You don't need a literary agent unless you wish to sell a book, a full-length play, or material for major TV or film production | |
| |
| |
| |
To get an agent, write a brief letter to twenty to twenty-five people selected from the resources listed in this chapter | |
| |
| |
| |
Legitimate literary agents earn their money by selling writers' work and receiving a commission (usually 10-15 percent)--not through any other means | |
| |
| |
| |
Many of the people who call themselves literary agents operate scams and schemes that can cost you money and do you harm | |
| |
| |
| |
Don't waste your time entering lots of literary contests, particularly those with entry fees | |
| |
| |
| |
Paying a "vanity press" to publish your book actually discourages bookstores from buying it | |
| |
| |
| |
Self-publishing is a viable option only if you know your market, are good at promotion and publicity, and are willing to devote at least twenty hours a week to promoting and marketing your book | |
| |
| |
| |
Be very wary of "copublishing" arrangements | |
| |
| |
| |
Avoid sending your work to poetry anthologies that advertise for submissions | |
| |
| |
| |
Plenty of jobs are available for writers and editors--but they're not easy to get | |
| |
| |
| |
One of the best ways to land a writing or editing job is through an internship or assistant's position | |
| |
| |
The Writer's Life | |
| |
| |
| |
Building a successful writing career requires skill, time, patience, perseverance, and flexibility. Being good at marketing helps, too | |
| |
| |
| |
Your successes and failures as a writer will be half the result of your own effort, half the result of luck | |
| |
| |
| |
Writing is by nature a solitary activity | |
| |
| |
| |
Most freelance writers have at least one other job | |
| |
| |
| |
Integrate your writing with the rest of your life. Don't neglect your family--or yourself--in favor of your writing | |
| |
| |
| |
When you read something by a widely published writer and find yourself saying, "I can write better than that," you're probably right | |
| |
| |
| |
It is up to you to decide how much to network, schmooze, and socialize with other writers | |
| |
| |
| |
The opinions of any two writers, editors, or writing teachers will often differ | |
| |
| |
| |
Expect some negative reviews, reactions, and opinions | |
| |
| |
| |
When the going gets tough, reward yourself | |
| |
| |
| |
There are real but limited benefits to joining writers' groups, centers, clubs, and organizations | |
| |
| |
| |
There's something unique to you and your writing that's every bit as important as the ninety-nine other tips and guidelines in this book | |
| |
| |
| |
Keep reminding yourself why you write and what you get out of writing | |
| |
| |
| |
Enjoy yourself. The very best reason to write is for the pleasure of it | |
| |
| |
| |
Useful Resources for Writers | |