by MARCELLA SIMMONS
(LOGANSPORT LA USA)
Here are several tips that helped me become a published writer and they will
will help you get started.
Read. Read the type of material that you enjoy writing. Read anything and everything you can get your hands on - take notes. If you enjoy writing fiction, who is the main character in one of the stories or books you are reading? If it is suspense, in what sequence does the action take place? How is the author handling the plot? What about the sub plots and the ending? Make a mental check list of the action in the story and how it takes place. Use what you learned in your own writing and see how it turns out.
Read top notch authors - read books by your favorite author - read and reread until you get the feel of 'how' they write.
Subscribe to every magazine that you afford for writers. Writers Digest, The Writer Magazine, The Writers Journal, Poets and Writers, to name a few. You might try these websites: Funds For Writers at http://www.fundsforwriters.com, First Writer's Newsletter at firstwriter.com, and Worldwide Freelance Writer at http://www.worldwidefreelance.com. Read as many articles on writing that you can. Learn from writers who know about writing.
Take classes. There are several FREE online courses that you can find on the Internet that will help you become a successful writer. If you prefer the classroom setting, enroll in a writing course at the local college.
Join a writer's group in your area. If there isn't one, feel free to join an online group or critique group or start a group in your own.
Edit and rewrite when necessary. Find your writing tone, complete your story or article and set it aside a few days to let it cool off. When you read it with a fresh approach, you'll see mistakes that weren't visible before. Set it aside a few more days and start the editing and revising method over again. When you're done and absolutely sure it can't be edited any more, then rewrite it and get that completed manuscript ready to go out in the mail.
After you've researched suitable markets for your manuscript, then half the job is done. Your job is to learn all about the markets that you may be using - order back copies of their magazines and newsletters - learn everything you can. Research their writer's guidelines, being cautious of word length and editorial requirements.
Once you send out your manuscript, start working on another article or story - apply the same tips above to everything you write and chances are, you'll end up with several published credits to add to your writing resume. Good luck and keep those manuscripts coming off the printer as often as possible.
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This is Jack Popjes and one of his published books. He and I worked on multiple projects. He's met many goals.
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