Aug 26, 2007
What follows are my four cardinal rules for making it as a writer. Never any guarantees - but if you follow these rules, you'll be giving yourself the best possible chance:
Well, you get the picture. I hope this helps...
PS - It has been pointed out that the above four rules bear a strong resemblance to Robert Heinlein's five rules - which they do. My rules emphasize the new importance of self-publishing, which I think is becoming even more significant than traditional publishing in the 21st century. And my rules try to address the psychological situations of writers. But, clearly, they are indebted to Helnlein's.
More of my advice to writers: Fiction Writers Group ... Pure Southern Genteel ... Pillow Talk interview .... Book Pleasures ... Smoking Poet ... emonome ...
Listen also to special podcast - Authors and Critics: Perilous Symbiosis
my Ask Lev podcast: 2-5 mins of advice about writing
Excellent thoughts and I thank you for them Prof. Number 2 could have been written with me in mind and after reading your words I now have renewed inspiration. :)
My pleasure, Michelle - you give very good Pillow Talk!
Ah-ha. Simple but true. Why is it that so few writers are willing to help aspiring writers? Probably because so few aspiring writers are willing to accept advice (or criticism). Both sides of the coin are crucial, eh?
Yes, indeed, Sarah ...
By the way, I love the title of your book! Best of luck with it!
Always glad to give you a little goose ... :)
These are encouraging thoughts indeed, thanks for posting the link to the Facebook Aspiring Authors community. I\'m an aspiring novelist myself quite close to finishing my first novel, and I\'m hellbent on finding an agent and getting published within this year if it kills me, staking a lot of what this work means to me. I\'ve put years and countless hours into this book, poured my heart and soul into the story, and its completion looming overhead, thoughts of facing the hunt for an agent and publisher are quite daunting.
Stay strong, Benjamin. You\'ve created something new in the cosmos - let it dictate to the world around you, rather than vice versa.
Thanks for stopping by the blog and participating in the interviews!
Thanks for posting this - I needed reminding :)