HOME | POLITICS | SPORTS | LIFE | SCI/TECH | OPEDS | HELPFUL TIPS
|
Oct. 3, 2004 Today we all wonder as to what is right and what is wrong. As we have since the beginning of time. We find that because of the opportunities in today's technology, we can be a writer on many levels. Even if its only to write in our own journals. In my writing career. I do a lot of searching both on the web and in books I read. This is crucial to do, as a writer. Even if you write poetry. Which I do a lot of. The thing is to watch out for scams that cater to people's dreams, especially in their dreams of writing. I am an author of a book of poetry called Shades Of Gray. I am having to do most all my own marketing of it, because I went with a printer and not a publisher. It makes my journey harder, but it also brings learning and experience for me as a writer and a small business owner. This is my dream. I need to have control of its direction, and not allow a scam company to take me and my craft over. I have created a couple of websites, one to promote my book and I hold a weekly column there, as well, one is for my poetry exclusively and the other is for all writers and poets, along with a yahoo group that is entitled writers and poets. Of course I want to be recognized for my craft and I'd like to get paid for it as well. But right now I am concentrating on informing those like me, struggling to find their place in the world of writing. In my journey of informing others, it gives me the opportunity to learn and experience things as well. Knowing what I do now, I do more marketing, always more marketing. I set up speaking engagements for both the book and the column. So much of success in writing seems to boil down to marketing - either by the author or someone else, or, more often by both. If you are going to get recognized and get the experience and credits you need, you have to put yourself out there. Rejections are hateful things, if you look at them as such. However, if you use them as tools to learn and rethink what it is that got you the rejection. You can then begin to understand whether it is you or just not what the editor , or other is looking for, their paper, magazine etc. The key thing is to study the magazine, newspaper or other before submitting your piece. This is crucial. Get to know your possible client. If you do this, you have a better chance of getting their attention and having your work taken seriously. I am also a big history buff. I enjoy learning current events and keeping up on them. Find your voice. Write what it is you like and enjoy. Then study possible employee's. Then submit, submit, submit. Keep your mind open, don't limit yourself to one form of writing. You may find that having variety gives you more creativity and definitely more experience on many levels. Be serious, but have fun. If you don't like what you do, it'll show in what you write. Let yourself shine through, even if its an article or essay. Look, if you spend your life worrying to whether you will be rejected or if someone is going to brutally crit you. You will never do anything. If you set around wondering if I could have, if I should have, what would have happened if I had done this or that. Don't sit on the fence. Jump off and make things happen. Do your research. Read books. Read articles. Sign up to a writers newsletter. Visit websites for writers. The world is your class room. Never stop learning. ------------ About the author Bonnie Florea: I am a poet, author, freelance writer and columnist. I look at the world as a class room. Where every day and every bite of information is and can be used for expanding my knowledge and the knowledge of others. Words are the tools of knowledge. Visit: http://quilterofwords.bravehost.com/ http://localbizalliance.com/bkflorea/shadesofgray.html http://localbizalliance.com/bizgraphics/ofinterest.html Email: quilterofwords@juno.com Tell a friend about this site! ------------ |
||||||
|
|
|||||||
|
