Killing Your Chances.

Every now and again, I like to sort out my writing room, and clear away the growing number of piles of books and magazines around me. It helps to focus my mind on my writing when everything around me is tidy.

While sorting out the pile of old ‘Writing Magazines’, I came across an article which I had read before, and had folded the magazine open at that page. The article told you ‘How to stand out from the Slush pile’ and was written by Editor and writing Coach Kathy Gale. What made the article so interesting to me were the lengths some writers will go to, to stand out from the rest of the writers in the Slush pile. Kathy tells us to avoid gimmicks. She remembered one writer who sent her fake body parts in a jiffy bag as a teaser campaign for his manuscript, as a joke, hoping that she would think she was being stalked by a serial killer. She went on to say, by the time, his manuscript arrived and she realized what was going on, she wasn’t amused. The only thing she wanted to do was to reject it outright. Who can blame her...? She said all teasers do is make you look amateurish, what agents and publishers actually want are highly professional-looking script and a good, strong concise covering letter.

At the moment, I’m busy rewriting my novel and I’m about half way through. I had a piece of good luck when I sent it off to a publisher. They were kind enough to give me some great feedback, which I’m now busy putting into action. I’m hoping by the end of this year to be in the position to be ready to send my manuscript out again. Without any teaser, I can assure you.

Dreams of a Wannabe Writer....

At work today, I thought long and hard about what I want to say on this blog.
I mean to say there are thousands of blogs online telling you ‘how to be a writer’, but you would think these experts wouldn’t have the time to write blogs. Just think about it for a moment, my full-time job takes up most of my time along with running my home. I have to work to make money to pay my bills, if you are a midlister or not even on any bestselling list, you won’t be making much money from your book selling.

Most writers have to do something other than writing books to make any sort of living from their art, as the saying goes ‘them that don’t teach’. Most writers do, do something other than writing their books for a living, some write ‘how to books and then travel around the country giving talks on ‘How to write’. While others teach evening classes on creative writing, but most write short stories and articles on writing for magazines to help to pay their way in life whilst waiting for their book to hit the top of the bestseller’s list.

It has to be remembered that for every book, which sells at £6.99 the writer, will earn the grand total of 25p. Yes, you did read that right. Out of six pound and ninety-nine pence, you the writer will make twenty-five pence, which means you will have to sell many books before you start making a living. So next time you see a special offer buy one get one free or you pick up a second-hand book in a charity shop, just remember that could be your book and your livelihood going out the window.

Dreaming of being a best selling author is one thing, but in reality, it is something completely different. Pick up a copy of ‘How not to write a novel’ or Confessions of a Midlist Author, by David Armstrong [ISBN 0-74900-680-3] and he'll tell you what it's like from the view point of a writer who isn't on a bestsellers list.

David Armstrong was one of the lucky one as he’s first crime novel was plucked from the slush pile at a major publisher and published to acclaim. However, it should be remembered here, every week agents and publishers in this country receive hundreds of manuscripts from wannabe authors, and of these, only one per cent will make it into print.

Now it’s back to my novel for me, while I have a chance then it’s off to bed as I look forward to another day of hard grafting at work tomorrow.

Writer's Guide 1

Now you’ve made your mind up to be a writer, I better start giving you some helpful tips.
When bringing your characters on stage, write at least 100 to 150 words about them. What they look like etc, to indicate how important they are as a character in your story.
Remember too, each scene must contain the following.
Setting
Time/ place
Temperature/season
Lighting/ sound/ smells
Symbols/ images
Characters/ relationships
Dialogue/ subjects
Sub plot
Action
Point of view
Climax
Exit line

Who are you?

Second, you must understand who you are as a writer, and what you want to achieve from your writing.

Writing is going to play a big part in your life for a long time, so don’t expect to become a bestselling novelist overnight or in the next ten years. Too many wannabe writers see themselves sitting under the shady palm or oak tree hitting the keys with the royalty checks come rolling in. When in reality writing is about a lot of writing and rewriting and more writing. Another thing the wannabe writer needs to remember is to do a lot of reading. There are many great books out there to help the wannabe writer to find their way on to the bestseller’s list, but for the wannabe writer the first which should be on their must read list is Pat Walsh ‘78 reasons why your book may never be published & 14 reasons why it just might’. This book may have the longest title going, but it is a great way of finding out if being a wannabe writer is the best career move for you.