Getting into writing

So you want to be a writer eh?

If you’ve entertained the idea of being a writer, you probably have a preconception as to what that means: yucking it up on the set of the next hit TV sitcom or sitting in a park banging out pages of romance and mystery or perhaps, writing the next smash Broadway musical. Maybe you’d like to write a biography or the most complete how-to on your favorite hobby.

Whatever the genre, whether fiction or non-fiction, whether the topic be sports, fashion, music, DIY, politics, relationships, comedy, restaurant reviews, travel there is going to one similarity – rejection.

But with rejection comes experience and if you persist, you’ll be light years ahead of those that drop in and out of the game. It also hones your skills, leads you to your voice and allows you the time to get to know the ropes.

Writing for a living isn’t going to be much of a living, especially early on. There are a lot of dues to be paid and lessons to be learned; some are costly (in respect to time and effort) others are necessary so not to repeat.

Having qualified the difficulties; now comes the how:

1) Write what you know

2) Write what you know (yes, it’s a repeat because it’s that important)

3) Learn to write a query letter tailored to your subject material

4) Start with your market and small publications that publish similar material

5) Have something original ready to go with each query

6) If relevant, have photographs to submit

7) Document your queries so not to saturate publishers

8) Once given the chance, FOLLOW THE GUIDELINES and DO NOT MISS DEADLINES

These bullet points are necessary for the fledging writer and some will become less relevant with time. Once you’ve have some notches in your belt, you can reconnect as a known quantity. There’s even a possibility you will become a regular contributor to one or more outlets.

What about the money you may ask? What money? A sarcastic answer, but quite often true. If you’ve read or been told that you might have to forego money in order to get published, you have not been misinformed. It is certainly not always the case, but even paying markets are deluged with queries and the alternative is to seek non-paying markets.

The important thing to keep in mind is there are countless blogs, websites and print publications out there…your material is wanted and is needed, it is up to you to identify them and build a relationship.

–Owen E. Richason IV

Contact:

owenedward4@aol.com

Blogs and profiles:

http://owenerichasonswritingblog.blogspot.com

http://facebook.com/owenerichasonIV

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