Writerpedia discussion

I am feeling really dejected because I don't quite know where to start to become a writer. I have always wrote for personal enjoyment (poetry, reviews, reflections), and it has been a type of saving grace for me that has helped me through my life. I tried other professions, such as being a paralegal, but I was so dissatisfied with them. The money was good, but my spirit was starving. My passion has always been writing, and it means so much to me that I am willing to take less money to do it as a career. Yet, I do not know where to start. I majored in Political Science in college, because I wanted to have a broader view of the world. Yet, although it required a lot of writing and reading, and although I have edited student papers as a freelances, people prefer to hire English majors for writing and editing positions. Does you have any advice on how I may enter into the writing or editing profession with my background. How do I make the first step from writing for enjoyment to also writing that can also open up professional opportunities for me. Thank you so much for reading and for your advice.

Well, writing can be like a side job for you. LOTS of writers do that. For example; you can be a flotist by day and an author/writer by night.
Okay, maybe not a florist (I have a thing for flowers. :)) but you know what I mean. It doesn't have to be the only thing you do.
Hope I helped. :)

Writing is my passion as well. My advice is to keep writing and constantly send out your stuff to be published. Leave no stone unturned.

As for writing in the professional field: I'm a business management consultant; I write all the business proposals, grants, IT stuff, etc. and I'm not an English major (though I am an English Minor). My major is actually Italian Studies.

Anyway, put together a resume, cover letter, and references (especially those who can attest to your writing ability). Also, put together a portfolio of your writing - include creative writing(s), review(s), business writings (a grant or IT writing example). Start then with a paid or unpaid internship or temp to hire position.

Good luck!

I talk to school kids a lot. I always give the advice my mentor, (Elizabeth Yates, Newbury medal winner) gave me. Some of which is as follows:
-Write what you know.
-Write all the time, even if it's only a line or two a day.
-A story is only as long as it takes to tell it.
-Don't ever give up. If you're in writing for the money, find another career.
-It's a long, slow road, but it's worth it.
-Pretend you're a cook, do you want to give your audience a baloney sandwich, or a seven course meal?
-Books should be character driven, so it stays true.
-Avoid two words, 'that' and 'very'.
-Never self publish.
-Always, ALWAYS encourage other writers.
-As often as possible, send out your work to magazines,(with Self addressed stamped envelope)and forget about it. Go onto your next project/story.
-Find the genre you like to create/write and, if possible, network with writers from that particular genre.
-Don't worry about rejection slips, (you're going to be able to paper your walls with them, I know I could) edtiors have bad days too. (And I heard all editors have a story about some famous writer they rejected.)

I am a columnist for a paper in NH and write freelance articles for several magazines. Hang in there. It is so rewarding when you finally sell your first piece. To have your voice out there.

Oh yeah, almost forgot, I also have a day job. Normally, I sell two to three newspaper columns a month and four or five magazine pieces a year. I make just about enough to keep my cat in friskies. Interestingly enough, he is the only one who sits up with me when I write.(probably thinks I've got treats or something to eat.)

Valini -- As a fellow Political Science major who is passionate about writing (Although I added English midway through college so I graduated with a dual major in both) and was a writer and editor for my college pape as well, the best advice I can give is be willing to "volunteer" a bit first. Check out smaller community papers or a town newsletter. I know it sounds a bit boring, but it's a good way to get your foot in the door. I did this and then a small local paper though it would be neat to have a column. That meant clips which I could submit to a larger paper.

If you show you can write the basics, you will be more likely to be able to work your way up to doing what you want (and make a lot of great connections along the way.) Also don't be afraid of giving up your time to do an internship (gasp!) It doesn't pay, but again you get clips & connections! I ended up starting to write these little briefs for the AP...unpaid at first, but then paid for each little piece. That lead to a lot of good connections that I plan to tap when my "novel" is ready. These colleagues can offer great advice that will help down the road.

And if all else fails, it doesn't hurt to "go back to school." Take a night class at a community college or online even...brush up on the areas you aren't strong. If you show you are willing to work for it and make yourself more well-rounded, it can lead to good things! I'm not sure what writing direction you are looking to break into, but whatever you do, don't give up (trust me!) Hope this helps!!

Bryan -- What paper do you write for?? I'm in NH and used to write for the Concord Monitor. I'm very curious to hear more about what you do & how you got there!

Hi Katie. I am a freelance columnist for the Keene Sentinel, (Guy MacMillin is my editor). The columns I write tend to be about up there as I was raised in Swanzey,(graduated from Monadnock Reg.H.S.84'). I write mostly humor, holiday and Red Sox pieces. Occasionally, I write profile pieces as well, such as one on my mentor, Mrs.Yates. I always loved creative writing and did well in English. When I attended Keene State after I got out of the Air Force, one of my college professors asked me, "Did you ever think about becoming a writer?" To be honest I didn't, as I felt one needed a degree to do it. My professor laughed and said you don't need a degree, just the desire. I let the idea roll around in my head for a few years. Finally, I was living in Concord and working for the state, NHBEC(E-911 supervisor)when I read an article,(in the Monitor)about Mrs.Yates, (she had another book coming out)and discovered she lived just down the road from me. I remembered when I was a kid Mrs. Yates came to my grade school to talk about writing and her novel, 'Amos Fortune'. So, as is my habit, I wrote her a letter introducing myself and asked her if she had any advice for a beginning writer. I didn't think I'd get a response, but she did. She actually invited me to her place and asked me to bring some writing samples. At first I was happy, then panic set in. What would I bring? It was akin to having Julia Childs invite me to her home to cook a meal. How intimidating! I thought she'd tear my work up. However, I went over with what I felt were my best works. I'm glad I did. Elizabeth was so encouraging. I think she felt how nervous I was. She took my writing as if it were gold and told me she'd get back to me. One anxious week later, Mrs.Yates called me over. She praised it, and offered only a couple of suggestions. Within a few months, I sold my first magazine piece to Reiman publications 'Country' magazine. I was so happy, I called Mrs.Yates up and she asked me to bring a copy to her. (She even had me autograph it for her.) Mrs. Yates and I kept up our relationship for several years till I moved down to Sarasota. (I still have all the letters she sent me.) A short time after I had moved I received several letters and calls from my friends in Concord informing me of Elizabeth's death. In one sense, I was glad I was not in NH at the time. I would not have liked to have that picture in my mind. Instead, I will always remember Mrs. Yates optimism, her lively eyes and sharp writer's intellect. I will never forget her and honor her advice by passing it on to other writers.
I know...a bit long winded eh?
As far as what I do. Well, I've done a lot, perfect for writing.Was active in Scouts while in school, got my eagle scout when I graduated, 84'. I was an air traffic controller,(tower) for the USAF in the UK,(RAF Bentwaters). After the air force, I was a student for only a year. I read Kerouac's 'On The Road' saved a few checks and took off to see more of the US. I ended up in AZ. I worked a clerk in a grocery store then was hired by AZ DOC,Tucson and worked in maximum custody.(Met some interesting people there!)Met my future wife too, but not in prison! ;O) I had a friend at the state house in Concord, Bill Matson D-Troy who told me he could get me into the mens prison in Concord, (NH DOC)so, I relocated. In 95' I went from DOC to NH BEC, (E-911) also earned my EMT and worked as a volunteer for Penacook rescue. In 2001, after a long, difficult winter, Clare and I decided to move back to warmer climes.(We had bought a house and land in Concord, the contactor/seller was crooked. He stole our life savings and the house foundation was wrong. The house collapsed and we never got to move in.Everyday I had to drive by it on my way to work. The contractor is now in prison, as he did the same thing to 5 other families.) We had always vacationed in Sarasota at my father in laws, and I knew people at the sheriffs office. At first I worked for 911, then transferred to a sheriffs deputy position last year, (what can I say? I missed the adventures!)
I like writing for the Sentinel as I love the readership, and love the Monadnock region. One day, I'll have a summer place there, so I can climb Monadnock whenever I want. I love standing on that mountain, it makes me feel closer to God.
Sorry, I probably gave you more than you wanted, but I hope I answered your questions. by the way, what type of writing did you do for the Monitor? I still read three online papers everyday, the Union Leader, The Concord Monitor and the Keene Sentinel. Which brings me to my next question. How are you surviving this winter? From what I'm reading you all are only a few inches from setting an all time record for greatest winter snowfall,(last record was 1883) and I read a lot about roof problems. To top it off, I see you all are in for an ice storm tonight. i called my folks, (still in Swanzey) to check on them. Dad says he wants to come to FL for the winter, but mom says she loves winter. To which dad normally replies, "Yeah, well you don't have to shovel the crap!"
Take care Katie. Yours in writing, Bryan

me 2. But I'm 13. :)

I wrote something on this for teen writers, but I think the advice goes for anyone starting out. Hope this helps:

http://www.seventeen.com/fun-stuff/17...

Melissa

Hi! I'm new!

Now about tips for writers. I heard this once and never thought I'd use it but it totally works! Draw your stories from personal experience. It even works for me; a fantasy science fiction writer. Per example, games. Some of my stories are based on games I played in elementary chasing my friends around and such. With some revision, they can turn into great books! Just a tip...

P.S. I am a new writer. Picked up this hobby in 5th grade now living in the 8th grade world.

Find a local or small community paper or website that you could write for without having a staff job. These places are often overwhelmed with work and not enough people to write. They will usually give you a shot, especially if you're willing to do it for free or for very little money.

I did that for my hometown newspaper during my freshman year in college with next to no experience.

You definitely can't live off this, but it's a way to get started.

i read somewhere once (i don't remember where) that if you're say, writing a novel, you should try to write a page a day. at the end of a year, you'll have about 360 pages, which is a good novel length. it's not like you have to work five hours a day writing...all it takes is a page a day. of course, even one page can sometimes take me hours, if i'm putting a lot of thought into it, or if i just have writer's block. and since i'm only fifteen i only have a couple of hours to write every day anyway. but i managed to write an entire novel when i was thirteen, which is more than most adults have done, so...i don't know. maybe you should say to yourself, "if a thirteen year old can do it, i can do it too!" lol. :)

Just wondering, Brigid, how long did it take to write the novel? And are you thinking of publishing it? thanks for the advice, btw, I thought it was good...

well, i started it in the spring when i was twelve--it was originally a school project. i finished it the summer i was thirteen, so it took a little over a year. and yeah, i would like to get it published, but i'm not sure how to take the first step in doing that... i looked up a whole bunch of publishers but they're all so strict about what they publish and wouldn't accept my book...

Keep trying! I have the same problem as you Brigid, I want to publish a book, but can't find a publisher. Some of them have age restrictions, or cost too much. It's so hard.

I hope you publish your book, Brigid! It's really good, what I've read so far! Also, I love the Chosen One. I hope you do too, Kenzie! I have my own publishing dreams.

thanx, sella! i hope you publish your books, too! :) i'm hoping that The Chosen One can become an entire novel, like Destiny is... I'm getting pretty far into it. I think i'm on page eighty-something. :)

Wow, that's pretty far! I'm only on Chapter 6 in Stairway to the Stars, but I have some random chapters written in the middle and all that other stuff. AS for Tulip's Cozy Tea...It's just started. Once, I got as far as 16 chapters for a novel, but I stopped writing that one.

usually i don't get so far in a story unless i really want to finish it... except that weird one about the girl with the talking stuffed pig, i got to page 72 before i gave up on it. i don't know why it took me so long to realize how bizarre it was. but i was only eleven when i wrote it, so i guess i didn't really care. lol. i think i'll actually finish The Chosen One though, because i really love the story and the characters in it. i've actually been writing it in my head since i was eleven... it started out as a short story, but when i was fourteen i started expanding it and making it into a novel. and now i've gotten really far in it.

The story I got really far in, I really liked it at the time and thought I would make it a novel, but now, looking back on it, it's way too confusing. Maybe I'll change it around or re-start it too make it better.

yeah. a lot of the time i "recycle" my old ideas that had good potential; i just messed them up before. Like The Chosen One was this really bad short story when I first wrote it. But when I started writing it again i made it a thousand times better. :)

Valini, If your heart is in it, then write. I sub in middle school and I tell the kids that I have been writing a historical novel for the last four years. At 225 pages I don’t even know it I have one well written page. But I write because it makes me whole, because life is horrible for us who look beyond the tapestry that shrouds us from reality. If I never publish, it will still have been worth the journey. Never stop writing or stop when you drop

omigosh, james i totally agree that "write what you know" is such dumb advice. since i don't really know a lot about the world, it would be impossible for me to write something interesting that i knew everything about. i think the proper advice would be "write as if you know". for example, when i was eleven i was writing this story about this girl whose parents were divorced--and since my parents are not divorced i had no such experience. but i wrote what i imagined it would be like, and people who read it said i did a good job for someone who had never experienced something like that.

Until the day it can be a money making venture, and I can make a living on it--my writing is merely a paying hobby--with me doing most of the paying.

good advice and to think I was doing it the hard way.I should be able to work with that plan.

I agree with the comment on self-publishing.

I can see why people are suspicious sometimes, but you only have to think about the large number of rather dull, formulaic stuff that gets churned out by some of the major publishers to know that getting published by someone else isn't a cast iron guarantee that you have created an original masterpiece that is worth reading!

Plus I think we have moved on from the place where the publishing industry is still firmly seated. The internet does give you a great ability to find people who may be interested in the same kind of stuff and who can help you out.
There don't seem to be many places out there though where you can print, promote and sell all through one website/service. It all seems a bit scattered. Does anyone have any ideas for getting those jobs done without forking out loads of cash or giving up all your rights?

This seems like a good place to put up Heinlein's rules for writers.

1. You must write.
2. You must finish what you write.
3. You must refrain from rewriting, except to editorial order.
4. You must put the work on the market.
5. You must keep the work on the market until it is sold.

If you can do these, you will do well.

Write what you know is only dumb advice until you actually do it. What does it mean? On its face, it's limiting, unless you take your exorbitant imagination and turn write what you know to people, to characters, to odd and amazing stories you've read. Then writing what you know becomes something else entirely, a guide to what the people you know would do in a given mythical situation, or it becomes the product of your own imagination, which you should get to know better than anyone. Whole worlds and exciting stories have been created around writing what you know. Writing what you know can also mean yourself. You are as limited in writing what you know as you are in applying that phrase with its myriad meanings to all facets of your work.

Write all the time, every single stinking day, and read every single day as well. The time-honored, time-tested recipe for becoming a writer, a recipe touted by the likes of Stephen King, et al, is read and write every day. In other words, study and practice every single day. Writing is like music, a writer is the equivalent of a musician, his or her words are the notes of the song, and without this daily study and practice, you cannot hone your mind to the tune of your story like the musician hones his or her ears to the instrument.

Finish what you start. Even if it sucks. This is a discipline, like reading and writing daily, a habit to get into early on because not finishing is a difficult habit to break once you've started down that road.

Do not be afraid of your characters. They are not you. Their morals may or may not reflect yours. Let them be who they are and do what they would do, not what you would do, in any given situation, and don't forget their foibles, their idiosyncrasies. These little details are what make characters alive and 3-D, just like you.

Specify. I said this elsewhere, but a tree is only a tree, and boring, until it becomes a mighty oak or a quaking aspen. You can use specific details like these to set tone while adding to the reader's experience.

Research. Especially for fiction. You cannot ask the reader to suspend their disbelief if you haven't done your homework. Don't know what kind of trees and vegetation populate the Mogollon Rim in Arizona? Find out. Research every little detail you don't personally have any experience with. For example, if you want to know what cops do or think, or how they speak, lurk on their forums. Use your imagination to ferret out the information you need to know to write your stories. Then there you are, writing what you now know.

Mari

Heinlein's advice never to rewrite is disastrous.

Writing is the process of rewriting. The most important skill a writer has to learn is how to self-edit.

I hope you all do not mind, I have been lurking about. I love and completely agree with just about everything James said. Like everything in life, their is not a perfect path, we do the best we can with what we have (and try figure out a way for what we don't have).

Find the answers, ask the questions and if you do nothing else, listen to what others say. Even if you do not agree with a thought completely, it may spark that creative genius flow you have been pushing away.

Best to everyone! Yes, I am the optimist lol. :)

Kb

Have you ever thought of self publishing. I recently published a kids book through Booksurge. although it was not cheap, I at least felt they gave some good direction and help with things ike Amazon listings...etc.