Distractions From the Craft

Greetings Dear Readers,

Nothing is so discouraging as the things of everyday life that attempt to distract us from our craft. If it is not household errands or maintenance needs it is getting lost in the necessary research required to do the writing. I thought that I would offer a few tips for writers that I have gleaned over the years. I cannot promise you success if you do these things, but I can promise productivity. Some of this comes from Stephen King's "On Writing." The rest is experience and research I cannot recall.

• Read "On Writing" by Stephen King. Read it again.
• Read every day - you must continue to grow if you are going to reproduce.
• Write every day - a writer writes
• Pick a time every day that you will write and only vary it when totally necessary.
• Choose an amount of writing you will do during each session and stick to it. Increase this until it becomes your practical creative limit. I write 5000 words a day (Say thankee Sai King).
• Pick a genera and stick to it. You can dabble in other things for fun but only after you get done with work.
• Have a first reader; someone who will be honest with you but kind and gentle; someone you trust.
• Have a good editor; someone who has no interest in anything but fixing your poor spelling, bad grammar, and plot holes.
• Have a first circle; a group of people who are not fans and will give honest feedback on your work.
• Submit something for publication every week; yea verily every day if possible. It does not matter how much you write if no one reads it.
• Know that you are worth a decent paycheck. Never undersell yourself or your work.
• Pick a date to quit your day job if you have one, and work toward it.
• Watch your diet and exercise. If you allow a job that involves sitting to steal your health you will not be able to accomplish as much and you will not look good on the dust jacket of your book.
• Find a writer's conference that has a track record of helping writers.
• Get an agent when you feel you need one.
• Set up a web site and blog to showcase your work.
• Never quit.
• Let me know when you get published.

I have other ideas but will save them as they require further development and more space to properly teach.

Wishing you joy in the journey,

Aramis Thorn