As much info as I know about being a writer
Hello there.
I created this page on my website because people are brave enough to reach out and ask me for advice about becoming a writer but my schedule is so chaotic that I don't have the time to respond. Also, I am still an emerging writer in my opinion and I don't know all the answers, to be honest. I am still learning. I don't think I will ever stop.
Here is what I know so far. For self care, I cannot answer any further questions because while you are reading this, I am most likely meeting a deadline or more importantly, I am resting. So please read through this and if you need more info, please google it.
GETTING THE WORDS OUT
Remember that your job is to tell a story. Your job is not to be a writer. This life isn't about a halloween costume. It's about being a conduit to the whispers of the universe.
Live and observe.
Eavesdrop on conversations. Learn to write how people speak.
The stories exist in the ether, you simply have to reach out for it and commit it to paper.
I write every day by letting my pen run across the page of my journal and allowing my ancestors to speak to me.
GETTING PUBLISHED
Don't send your manuscript anywhere until it's ready. Join writers groups. Bravely show your work to others and ask for feedback. Work and rework it. If you can, pay for someone to edit and copy edit your manuscript.
When you send your manuscripts directly to publishers it will likely be ignored because everyone else is sending their material to them in this way. I choose to send manuscripts where I know people will be obliged to read the manuscript. Sometimes this means a competition for an unpublished manuscript. Sometimes it's for funding. The Ontario Arts Council Recommender Grant is an excellent example of what I mean. For this grant, 3rd party organizations in Ontario including publishers are obliged to read your manuscript.
If your submission is not successful, ask for feedback.
Keep learning. Challenge yourself to do better.
Good luck out there!
I created this page on my website because people are brave enough to reach out and ask me for advice about becoming a writer but my schedule is so chaotic that I don't have the time to respond. Also, I am still an emerging writer in my opinion and I don't know all the answers, to be honest. I am still learning. I don't think I will ever stop.
Here is what I know so far. For self care, I cannot answer any further questions because while you are reading this, I am most likely meeting a deadline or more importantly, I am resting. So please read through this and if you need more info, please google it.
GETTING THE WORDS OUT
Remember that your job is to tell a story. Your job is not to be a writer. This life isn't about a halloween costume. It's about being a conduit to the whispers of the universe.
Live and observe.
Eavesdrop on conversations. Learn to write how people speak.
The stories exist in the ether, you simply have to reach out for it and commit it to paper.
I write every day by letting my pen run across the page of my journal and allowing my ancestors to speak to me.
GETTING PUBLISHED
Don't send your manuscript anywhere until it's ready. Join writers groups. Bravely show your work to others and ask for feedback. Work and rework it. If you can, pay for someone to edit and copy edit your manuscript.
When you send your manuscripts directly to publishers it will likely be ignored because everyone else is sending their material to them in this way. I choose to send manuscripts where I know people will be obliged to read the manuscript. Sometimes this means a competition for an unpublished manuscript. Sometimes it's for funding. The Ontario Arts Council Recommender Grant is an excellent example of what I mean. For this grant, 3rd party organizations in Ontario including publishers are obliged to read your manuscript.
If your submission is not successful, ask for feedback.
Keep learning. Challenge yourself to do better.
Good luck out there!