I want to become a published author and make writing a career....?

Question

What's the best way to make this dream come true?

Emeraldlsle: I don't need your negativity--you sound like a public education "teacher" so quick to try and knock others down but never sharing anything worthwhile.

Answer 1

Hi hala - here's my advice (and it's worth exactly what it cost to you get ) ;o)

Do you want to write because you LOVE it, feel absolutely compelled and can't stop thinking about it?
Or do you want to write to make a ton of money and get famous.
Well, if its the first and not the second, Gnu gave some great advice, write, write, write, read, read, read!

LOTS of writers have great blogs about their journey and how hard it is and pointers to follow. Check out Jane Espenson and Doris Egan for television writing, Stephenie Meyer published author of the teen series, Twilight (currently in movie production).

Stay sharp on your grammar, take creative writing courses, you'd be surprised how many really talented authors you'll meet there. You might find an ongoing writing group like I did.

Finally, learn to live with rejection. I do know Stephen King said in his book that he started when he was just a child. He had a nail he punched each rejection slip onto. He filled up the nail. Broke and nearly destitute, gutting it out as a school teacher he finally sold Carrie for a paltry sum.

I do want to be honest, I've heard there's truth to the whole 'connections aspect' of this. Writers Market is the 'real deal' as Meyers puts it. Join. Find an agent. Agents want to make money, if you can make them money, they will represent you. That's the truth.

It's unlikely you'll hit a home run right out of the park, but it CAN happen. Stephenie Meyers writes on her blog that her book, Twilight, went from conception to written to sold in the space of 6 months.
Most importantly don't give up! Have fun and enjoy what you do.

Answer 2

Writing is a challenging path - and along this path you will most likely encounter self-doubt several times. Self-doubt is one of a writer's worst enemy.

It's true a lot of people don't get published. Reason being: self-doubt. They write a novel, receive two or three rejection letters and give up, convinced they can't do it.

So before beginning your journey you should accept rejection now. It's inevitable. Learn to keep pushing forward. Write, write, and continue to write until a publisher accepts your work. I can tell you that if you don't let self-doubt get the best of you - the day a publisher accepts you WILL come.

Why look at Stephen King. He received TONS of rejection letters, but kept on plowing forward until a publisher said "yes." They told J.K. Rowling her Harry Potter idea wouldn't fly. But Rowling and King wrote something they wanted to share with the public - and though I'm sure they struggled with self-doubt - look where they are now for overcoming it.

Good luck!

Answer 3

Read Stephen King's book, "On Writing." He gets right to the point by asking if you love reading, and do you have the self-discipline to turn off the Tube and sit alone for hours while hammering out your fantasies. Would you do the work even if you KNEW that success was impossible? That is, are your characters and scenes so important to you that you'd create them anyway, even if you couldn't make money with them?
I believe Stephen King said something like this, "In the end, you don't do it for the money. You do it because you can't do anything else."
So...are you really that devoted? Then get writing, even when you suffer occasional writer's block, or you are not happy with the words you put down. Most professional authors have little patience with would-be writers who don't write.

Answer 4

This question is asked at least 100 times a week on this site. You are looking at a very, very difficult career. Legitimate publishing (not the on line cheesy stuff you kids all think is real publishing) is almost impossible to get into without connections, an agent, etc. I suggest you find something else and use this as a sideline. Legitimate publishers receive hundres of thousands fof manuscripts each year, and publish only a few of those (mostly through agents).

Answer 5

Write, write, and then write some more. Keep a diary, keep a dream journal, write down observations of people throughout the day, write random thoughts that pop into your head.

Read, read, read. Read the classics, read the best-sellers, read fiction and non-fiction, read science and history, read books on writing.

Talk to writers, meet writers at writing classes, meet writers at book signings, e-mail professional writers and see if any respond. (A few will but many are very busy.) Make contacts.

Prepare for rejection. Be sure you have something to fall back on.

Don't give up.

Answer 6

You can either find an agent, or start sending in manuscripts and cover letters to publishing companies. The Writer's Market is a book put out every year with all the contact information and requirements for the publishing companies. Expect to get many, many rejection letters at first. Don't let it daunt you. Anne Rice said she could paper her house with all the rejection letters she got in the beginning, and look at how famous she turned out to be.

Answer 7

The best way is to go to college, and study journalism and English LIterature. Good luck, I tried and it didn't work for me (and I think I'm a pretty good writer!) A lot of it's dumb luck, some talent and the rest is just perseverence and getting the right book in the right hands at the right time (that's the luck again).

Answer 8

hala, writers write. Take every writing class you can. Learn from every negative an instructor notes on your work. By the time you've written a million words, you're usually about as good as you're going to get. If you write often, you'd be surprised how quickly that million goes by.

Answer 9

If you think you can... you're right.
If you think you can't.... you're right.

Get busy, one way or the other. Get your characters, storylines, and get busy. There is no time better than now! Hmmm... come to think of it... I need to see something in your blog one of these days? Perhaps some short stories?

Answer 10

me 2! i luv writing but its so hard to pulbish a book these days.....