Successful Writing

Dear Readers,

There's a myriad titles promising to reveal "the secret" to publishing a best seller. After many investigations, I began to realize a common-sense approach will provide more fruitful results. Here's my simple guide:

1. Keep Writing  & Reading:

Many published authors always advise reading as much as possible. Newspapers, magazines, library books... To name but three reading sources. Keep a notebook with you. Inspiration often comes "out of the blue", so a pen and notebook often proves indispensable. Write a blog, write letters, write reviews. Many review websites exist for this purpose. It all helps. One can also provide written reviews of games, books and movies, as well as youtube videos.

2. Contact Real Authors:

 This can be tricky. Writing is a solitary activity, demanding focus and mental effort. So, it's a tall order to expect professional writers to contact their "competitors" with gold-plated advice. A better approach is to join a Reader or Writers Group. Authors are much more willing to accept invitations to such groups, than answer the many individual inquiries they receive each year.

3. Research Authors You Admire:

Often, successful writers have advice already in print. The wonderful invention of the search engine can provide insights and quotes that prove valuable.

4. Recommended Reads:

There are only two books I have found essential in my pursuit to be published:

- The remarkable "Writers & Artists Year Book"

Recent authors, such as JK Rowling, have mentioned Writers & Artists Year Book proved invaluable. It's published each year by A&C Black Publishers Ltd, updated yearly including literary agents and publishing houses (by genre).

Writers & Artists Yearbook is not published online. For those on tight budgets, recent copies are always available at local libraries.

- The fabulous "On Writing" (By Stephen King)

Even if you're not a King Fan (and I haven't met many people who aren't) consider reading On Writing.

Stephen gives an honest and fact-packed account of his mission to become published. He covers all the foundations writers need including editing (often overlooked), what he calls "the toolkit"  (the skills needed for successful writing) and how to make use of "writing credits", no matter how minor, when approaching commissioning editors or agents.