FREE THE WRITER IN YOUR HEART !
As a practicing author or wannabe writer, have there been times where you felt tied down, fighting to unleash your imagination? The world of writing seems filled with dos and don'ts at every turn, which often lead to more questions than answers. It can truly be frustrating and discouraging.
Don't give in! There's a carefree writer deep in your heart that is aching to be freed! Take a moment to peek inside, and you might be surprised with what you discover.
For some, you may believe its too late — that you're past your prime. Think again! I was 59 when I had my first urge to write a book and 60 before I started writing science fiction. Until then, I was a deep-thinking nerd, rarely stimulating the creative, artistic side of my brain. Wow, what a difference three years make!
It's never too late! Go where your heart leads you and don't let anything dissuade you, including the myriad of rules thrown your way as you begin your new adventure!
Honestly, there are NO writing rules that authors must follow to be successful. Lots of teachers, editors, and books about writing will contend you must follow certain rules, but there are millions of writers throughout history who've been remarkably triumphant without following many of these so-called precepts.
Don't get me wrong! Some guidelines are important, otherwise some books might be huge with one-sided pages or heights too tall to fit on library shelves. There are writing techniques that are better and more reliable than others for most writers, but we shouldn't feel so confined as to keep us from being the writer we truly desire. Believe me, nobody is going to thrust you into hell if you break a handful of common practices.
Of course, there are requirements that must be adhered to if you want to improve your chances of being accepted by a traditional publisher and their editors. Dictates do change over time, and occasionally, traditional publishers will pursue some exceptional authors that don't follow those guidelines.
Whether an author is independent or goes through a traditional publisher, the thing he or she must do to be successful is to grab the reader's attention and hold it throughout their book! Fantastic storytellers trump followers-of-rules, and in the end, readers' demand for your books matters most, next to your satisfaction in the writing you've created. As you review my "Tips for Authors," keep in mind that they are simply suggestions, guides, or ideas — NOT rules. Learn to be successful doing it YOUR way.
Don't give in! There's a carefree writer deep in your heart that is aching to be freed! Take a moment to peek inside, and you might be surprised with what you discover.
For some, you may believe its too late — that you're past your prime. Think again! I was 59 when I had my first urge to write a book and 60 before I started writing science fiction. Until then, I was a deep-thinking nerd, rarely stimulating the creative, artistic side of my brain. Wow, what a difference three years make!
It's never too late! Go where your heart leads you and don't let anything dissuade you, including the myriad of rules thrown your way as you begin your new adventure!
Honestly, there are NO writing rules that authors must follow to be successful. Lots of teachers, editors, and books about writing will contend you must follow certain rules, but there are millions of writers throughout history who've been remarkably triumphant without following many of these so-called precepts.
Don't get me wrong! Some guidelines are important, otherwise some books might be huge with one-sided pages or heights too tall to fit on library shelves. There are writing techniques that are better and more reliable than others for most writers, but we shouldn't feel so confined as to keep us from being the writer we truly desire. Believe me, nobody is going to thrust you into hell if you break a handful of common practices.
Of course, there are requirements that must be adhered to if you want to improve your chances of being accepted by a traditional publisher and their editors. Dictates do change over time, and occasionally, traditional publishers will pursue some exceptional authors that don't follow those guidelines.
Whether an author is independent or goes through a traditional publisher, the thing he or she must do to be successful is to grab the reader's attention and hold it throughout their book! Fantastic storytellers trump followers-of-rules, and in the end, readers' demand for your books matters most, next to your satisfaction in the writing you've created. As you review my "Tips for Authors," keep in mind that they are simply suggestions, guides, or ideas — NOT rules. Learn to be successful doing it YOUR way.