To all you novelist, literaries, and journalists...need some tips?

Question

I am aspiring to become a best selling author. What are some key points in getting started. Oh and just out of curiousity, do you think getting my love notes to my husband for the past 3 yrs published is a good idea?

Answer 1

You need to observe the world -- read the newspapers about current events, politics, scandals, etc. and read reviews of best sellers to see what the public is interested in.

Then you need to read, read, read (good authors so you know what good writing is) and write, write, write -- learn good grammar and get people to read your stuff and critique it. Also, remember everyone wants to write a best seller and the likelihood of that is slim, but don't let that stop you from trying.

No to the love notes unless you are writing an autobiography and they are interspersed throughout the book. If you write an autobiography you should have had an extraordinary life story to get published and read too.

Answer 2

You must be married to koorvettaken.
Aspring to be a best selling author? Wow. First, you'd have to write something. A book, usually. Then, my opinion is that you have 3 options.
1: Pay a vanity press like www.lulu.com to put your letters into a book form. Then you can market, sell and promote them yourself-- or not. If you want to organzie the letters into a book for your own keepsake, that's different. (do not use Publish America- they are bad news)

2. Type all the letters into a proper manuscript format, research publishers and/or agents who handle your type of work and start submitting query letters. I would assume that most if not all publishers/agents will expect to see your work in a proper manuscript format, rather than a bundle of letters-- but the originals could be photocopied or included in some way.

3. Take classes, study, read books on the craft of writing, get a university degree in journalism or creative writing, take more classes, join writers' groups, attend writing seminars, participate in online critique groups, write, revise, edit your manuscript, (5-10 drafts is usually a good number of times), write a synopsis of your story, query appropriate agents or publishers who handle your type of story, and with luck and a lot of hard work, you might become a "best selling author."

Answer 3

Love notes? Dear God no! There's enough sickly sweet Mills 'n Boon stuff flying around already - please spare us!
You write a good thriller instead - something with guns 'n missiles and flying cars and....hang on, I'm giving you all my best ideas! Arrggh! Clear off! Go write your notes - leave the thriller to me!

Answer 4

No to the love notes unless you're a celebrity or sleeping with a celebrity.