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SO, YOU WANT TO BE A WRITER

Jo Ann M. Colton "Little Red Writer Book" Series Book 1By Jo Ann M. Colton

AuthorHouse

Copyright © 2010 Jo Ann M. Colton
All right reserved.
ISBN: 978-1-4490-1328-8

Contents

CHAPTER 1 To Write or Not to Write......................................................1CHAPTER 2 Answering the Write Question..................................................5CHAPTER 3 Getting Started as a Writer...................................................7Nonfiction vs. Fiction..................................................................12Newspaper and Magazine Articles.........................................................15Charting the "Write" Course for You.....................................................16CHAPTER 4 Believe to Achieve............................................................17CHAPTER 5 Outside Mindsets Versus the Committed Writer..................................19CHAPTER 6 Writing Right.................................................................21Focusing on the Write Stuff.............................................................21Making Time to Write....................................................................21CHAPTER 7 Tools of the Trade............................................................23Reference Books and Other Publications..................................................23Outlines................................................................................23Journaling..............................................................................25Notes...................................................................................25Other Tools of Your Trade...............................................................25CHAPTER 8 Gathering Support as a Writer.................................................27CHAPTER 9 Changing the World's Perception About Writing for Money.......................31The Truth About Writing for Compensation................................................31Recognizing Professional Expertise......................................................31Giving Your Writing Talent Away.........................................................32Giving Your Writing Talent Away: The Exception to the Rule..............................33CHAPTER 10 Networking With Other Writers................................................35Connecting at a Local Level.............................................................35Staying Connected on a Global Level.....................................................42CHAPTER 11 Making That First Impression.................................................43Research................................................................................43Editing.................................................................................44Agents..................................................................................47CHAPTER 12 Publishing the Book is Not the End of the Writer's Dream.....................49CHAPTER 13 Summarizing the "Write" Stuff for You........................................51CHAPTER 14 Taking the Next "Write" Step for You.........................................53

Chapter One

To Write or Not to Write

Like many of you, I was bitten by the "writing bug" early in life. It was at the young and tender age of eleven at which time I fell victim to an unexplainable malady. Looking back on that time, I do believe the onset of this condition was ever so subtle and, therefore, difficult to recognize. The symptoms evolved slowly. They began first with an unquenchable thirst to read voraciously and a feverish awareness of my ability to comprehend and enjoy the experience. These manifestations persisted and developed into an insatiable appetite, not for food (although I believe food stimulates a writer's creativity), but rather for reading Nancy Drew books, The Bobsey Twins, The Hardy Boys and Agatha Christie's Hercule Poirot and Jane Marple. I couldn't explain how I felt; I only knew such were the mysteries of my life.

Unbeknownst to me, I had a severe case of writer's syndrome. The "bug" had gotten under my skin and forever more would be in my blood. How else can I explain to you the fact that I looked forward to English classes, excelled at spelling, thrilled at the thought of homework assignments that required the writing of papers and delighted in writing the mandatory "book reports". Of course, my way of thinking was not shared by my classroom peers who would have welcomed a broken arm rather than have to set task to write anything the teachers might have assigned.

I am sure others so afflicted could share in my pain and pleasure of seeing the world from a different perspective. In my world there are only two viewpoints: the popular majority's style of reading and analyzing something and the "write" approach of looking at things, which indeed is my way. Some people think of the writer's mind as one of a "left-handed" viewpoint in that it is different in a creative manner from the direction in which most people might look at something. Writers are indeed creative, and ironically, many writers are left-handed. "Creative"; what do we mean by being creative? Roget's Super Thesaurus defines creativity as "inventiveness, originality, resourcefulness, innovative, original ...". People tell me it might have something to do with the left brain/right brain thing, one focusing on the analytical and the other focusing on the creative. I could never really understand it. I just accept that it is "what it is".

While some of you may be able to relate to my childhood experience with the writing bug, other individuals may have also felt the bite but much later in life. In these latter day cases, there is every reason to believe that the condition was always present but, for reasons unknown, lay dormant until it could no longer be contained. It really doesn't matter at what stage of life you feel the bite of the writing bug, just recognize that from that point on you are blessed (or cursed) to write.

So, you want to be a writer ... Let me warn you that the writer's life can be very solitary and, therefore, balance is very important. To live the writer's life, and live it well, one must be able to balance all aspects of his or her life: family, home, social and community commitments and, for many, that includes full-time employment outside the home (unless, of course, you are Stephen King or J.K. Rowling). Factor into this picture bouts with writer's block and having to meet writing deadlines, and you will find that this is no easy task. Do you have the "write stuff"?

Being a writer takes dedication, perseverance, good organizational and time management skills and the courage and strength to hold your head up high when someone tells you not to give up your day job. I am not trying to dissuade you from your calling in life. On the contrary, I want you to realize your writing goals and objectives. Do you believe you have a strong (some call it strange) desire to join the writers' ranks? If you feel you are up for the challenge-go for it! Be aware, though, that sometimes writers have been called different, odd, and even somewhat eccentric. If you are earnest about writing, don't let these things deter you. But if you are looking for instant success and gratification as a writer, you may need a serious attitude adjustment.

On May 31, 2007 the New Providence, N.J. based company, R.R. Bowker, was quoted as follows:

R.R. Bowker, the...