| There is a way to virtually guarantee your | | | | this case, write a poem a week! Non-Fiction? Sure! |
| publication within a single year. No, it has nothing | | | | Write an article a week! |
| to do with self-publication. This path is not for | | | | 2) Read 10X what you write. There is nothing |
| dilettantes, and will push you to the limit, but it has | | | | sadder than a young writer who doesn't read for |
| worked for dozens of my students, and it will | | | | fear of "contaminating his style." This is complete |
| work for you. | | | | self-delusion. A writer DESPERATELY needs to |
| It is based on writing principles first proposed by | | | | read everything she can get her hands on...and of |
| two giants in the publishing field, science-fiction | | | | the very best quality. Personally, I read one act of |
| writers Ray Bradbury, and Robert Heinlein, over | | | | Shakespeare aloud each morning, to |
| thirty years ago. And no, you don't have to be a | | | | simultaneously improve my writing and speaking |
| science fiction writer. No matter what your | | | | ability. |
| ULTIMATE goal--novel, screenplay, playwright, or | | | | 3) Put your stories in the mail. Every week, or |
| poet, you can adapt this method. It is designed to | | | | every other week, one of your stories should be |
| address literally every major problem you have or | | | | submitted to an editor who pays money for |
| might encounter as a writer. | | | | publication. Frankly, it doesn't matter how much. |
| 1) Write a story a week, or a story every other | | | | Money is a very cold equation, something |
| week. | | | | different from pats on the back, cheers, |
| 2) Read 10X as much as you write. | | | | contributors copies or even awards. When an |
| 3) Put your stories in the mail. Keep them in the | | | | editor cuts you a check, there is a lack of warm |
| mail until they sell. | | | | fuzzy feelings, and a down-to-earth "will my |
| 4) Never re-write except to editorial request. | | | | readers like this" that is completely different from |
| And there you go. Now let's look back at the | | | | the accolades or criticisms of your writing group |
| steps for a bit of further explanation. | | | | or class. THIS is the feedback you need: a check |
| 1) Write a story a week, or a story every other | | | | that clears the bank. Get your stories out! And |
| week. These can be as short as you wish. No, it | | | | web publication is just fine in this regard--as long |
| doesn't matter if you want to write novels, or | | | | as there is money. Even a penny a word--or |
| your ideas tend to emerge from your | | | | less!--is just fine. |
| subconscious in long form. If you're a newbie | | | | 4) Don't re-write except to editorial request. Once |
| runner training for a marathon, you'd start by | | | | your story is finished and initially re-written, move |
| running around the block, wouldn't you? You | | | | on. Don't re-write endlessly, trying to get it |
| wouldn't start by running twenty-six miles, that's | | | | "perfect." You'll learn more by writing a new story |
| for sure! Everything you need to know to write a | | | | than re-writing an old one endlessly. |
| book is contained in a short story, and writing | | | | If you'll do this, I promise you your first sales |
| 100,000 words of short stories will improve your | | | | within fifty stories. At the story a week level, |
| writing far more than that same 100,000 words | | | | that's one year! Just one year from today, you |
| devoted to a novel. Scriptwriting? Before you can | | | | could be a paid author. And for any real writer, |
| write a script, you need to be certain you | | | | that should be an idea exciting enough to keep |
| understand storytelling. I mean REALLY | | | | them up late, and get them up early, typing |
| understand it, subconsciously. Short stories give | | | | away, knowing that that first acceptance check is |
| you a chance to hone your skills. Poetry? Well, in | | | | less than 365 days way. |