HOME | POLITICS | SPORTS | LIFE | SCI/TECH | OPEDS | HELPFUL TIPS
|
Jan. 13, 2005 About two years ago, I decided to try and turn what I love to do into reality and my life. Write books. I didn’t stop what I was doing, I’m still doing that to pay the bills, but I’ve made my love part of my life now. I don’t write just any books, but books that make you think about what’s going on around you, what’s going to happen next, and how I can make the unbelievable believable. Well, its been a rocky road, and it still is, though I look one day at having a publishing house pick up my work for its merit, have them worry about the publishing and the marketing, while I work on what I like to do—write. I am a writer, an author, a word magician at her beginning stage—an apprentice, if you will, working to be a master. I’d like to share a few pointers which I have learned the easy way, but practiced the hard way. The easy way—read Stephen King’s “On Writing”. It was the most valuable how-to book for me. In essence, it is a formula that always wins—for a person like me. I always write in spurts, but what Stephen King suggests should be done in length. Why do I write in spurts? Mainly because I work during the day time as an accountant/business woman. The nights are for being superwoman around the house and after ten o’clock at night, maybe even eleven, after I’ve taken care of myself and the rest of the household, I begin my night of writing which happens if I don’t fall asleep first. Lately it has been trying because of illness, but I’ve gotten back in the reigns lately. Do what Stephen King says—write uninterrupted. Close yourself off and just write. I also say, as per my hard lessons, don’t get yourself side-tracked with other story plots. Jot them down in point form in a notebook or something, and just set it aside until you are done your current piece of work. Concentrate on the creation you have on hand and don’t get distracted. It’s the worst thing you can do because you end up with a poorly written final document. When you are completed your work, set it aside and leave it for a while before editing. Like a few weeks at least. Very important. You need to look at things with a fresh eye. If you are a new writer with very little contacts that can help you edit your work (you should get a few different eyes on it), then try to pay someone in a local writer’s guild to edit it, or some individuals in Universities or colleges may offer these services as well. Some, and I am guessing this, may do it for free or a nominal fee in exchange for using you as a reference. I scratch your back, you scratch mine. Be resourceful, but not annoying. You don’t want to ruin a name that you are trying to build up. People like professionalism and will respect you more for that. Lastly, be patient. Great ones are. Don’t be too hasty to jump at things—take your time to create a piece of art. Have it edited properly, and if you can, get it edited a few times by different people. Writing is a craft and you have to ensure that you do the best that you can to do it justice. Otherwise, don’t do it at all. Lessons learned. Till next time. ------------ About the author: Barbara has been writing short stories for the enjoyment of friends and family for years. She has published three books, Collection, Collection II, and Pawn: A Novel. Collection II is currently undergoing publication and will be availabe February 2005 through most internet booksellers. Barbara lives in Calgary, Alberta, Canada and enjoys writing, reading and tending to her other field: accounting. Website: http://www.authorsden.com/barbaraannamarjanovic Email: blueswan28@yahoo.com Tell a friend about this site! ------------ All articles are EXCLUSIVE to Useless-Knowledge.com and are not allowed to be posted on other websites. ARTICLE THIEVES WILL BE PROSECUTED! |
||||||
|
|
|||||||
|
