| For the majority of wanna-be authors, the most | | | | that you are fully comfortable with the topic you |
| difficult obstacle to overcome is a lack of confidence | | | | have chosen, and then get down to work. |
| in their ability to write. That's not easy to overcome. | | | | The Possibilities |
| It demands some grit and a willingness to drive | | | | I have discovered that some of the students who |
| ahead. But if you possess a basic fluency with the | | | | enroll in my writing sessions have no concept of the |
| English language and learned basic grammar in grade | | | | wide variety of possibilities in both fiction and |
| school, it is certainly doable. | | | | nonfiction. |
| Unleash that special idea that's been rumbling through | | | | The realm of fiction, of course, involves writing about |
| your mind waiting to break through into print. Spend | | | | imaginary characters often placed in imaginary |
| a little time thinking through the key elements of | | | | locations. These may, of course, be inspired by real |
| what you want to tell your reader. Then sit down | | | | people and real places, but do not necessarily have |
| and face your computer, determined to share your | | | | to conform to those specifications. You, the writer, |
| ideas with others. | | | | will create the character and the place from your |
| Practice Sessions | | | | own mind. They are your own inventions. |
| The more you practice, the sooner your words will | | | | The novels, short stories and scripts for plays or |
| make sense and form an easy read. If you don't | | | | motion pictures can incorporate a variety of genres, |
| have a burning idea and find it hard to dream up new | | | | including historical, adventure, romance, science fiction, |
| topics to write about, use something you read in a | | | | mystery or articles and books for children. So you |
| newspaper or magazine, and try to reframe that idea | | | | must consider not only the format in which you will |
| in your own words. | | | | write, but also the specific category you want that |
| Shake off any inhibitions you might have, and just let | | | | format to reflect. |
| the words flow as they move from your mind to the | | | | When we shift to nonfiction, the picture is even |
| computer screen. Cast aside any doubts about the | | | | broader. This writing is all reality-based, whether it is a |
| quality of what you're producing. If the ideas make | | | | how-to or a history or deals with a scientific subject |
| sense, but the words require some massaging, that's | | | | or politics, economics, business, travel or current |
| fine. It happens to the best of writers. | | | | events. Even memoirs are considered within the |
| Rewriting and revising are key elements in every | | | | nonfiction classification because they are fact-based. |
| writer's tool chest. Now it's your turn to use them. | | | | The Markets |
| This process does take a little effort, but look at the | | | | As you choose your category of writing, it is helpful |
| rewards. Others will read your thoughts and be | | | | to understand the different markets that might |
| influenced by your ideas. Just imagine seeing your | | | | entertain your work. For example, in the fiction |
| byline atop an article in your favorite magazine. How | | | | grouping, stories are accepted by magazines |
| about your name on the cover of a book! | | | | representing many different genres. An excellent |
| Choices | | | | resource for fiction markets is the Novel and Short |
| As your confidence grows, it is time to begin thinking | | | | Story Writer's Market published by Writers Digest |
| about what it is that you really want to write. Do | | | | Books. |
| you lean toward fiction or want to stay with the | | | | Similarly, Writer's Market, produced annually by |
| direct, factual presentation that characterizes | | | | Writers Digest Books offers hundreds of pages of |
| nonfiction? | | | | publishers who accept nonfiction and hundreds more |
| Does your current top idea lend itself to an article or | | | | that list periodicals that run nonfiction articles, both |
| to a book? Don't let the challenge of writing a book | | | | consumer and trade oriented. |
| deter you. Remember, books come in a variety of | | | | Combining the practice sessions we spoke of earlier |
| lengths. Your hundred-page contribution to literature | | | | in this piece with an intelligent effort to match your |
| may be as worthy and as compelling as one three | | | | subject to that of a category of writing and finally to |
| times longer. The key is the quality of the content | | | | the market that will be most interested is one of the |
| you create. So don't let size intimidate you. | | | | most effective ways of bolting out of the starting |
| Very often the actual piece you want to write will | | | | gate and developing your skills and your reputation as |
| determine the format and the length. Just be certain | | | | a writer. |