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I can imagine a lot of writers right now sitting at their desk, sipping the tenth coffee, drumming their nails and thinking, "how to break into print?"
I have the answer and I will be honest because I have been there. I know how impossible it seems, like scaling Mount Everest-the crawl to the top of the mountain of publishing requires unlimited patience and perseverance.
Everyone in my family and circle of friends knows I am an extraordinarily determined person. I guess it's why I am still scaling the Mount Everest of Publishing. But I have learned a lot along the way which is what I want to share with you viewers.
First of all, claim a writing space to truly call your own. I write in the attic of an old Victorian potentially haunted creepy home that survived the Halifax Explosion, built before 1912. The internet works up here. I have a desk and chair and I sit. And I write.
You may be eager to get your writing in print anywhere but hold on horses, it pays to examine poetry or short story markets for scams. Obey this law: money always reverts to the author. All an author should have to pay is the postage. If you submit poetry to a scam company, they make you pay to publish you and then you end up coughing up lots of cash, and you can't use a vanity press that published you in a professional portfolio.
So it pays to do your homework and buy the literary periodical that is reputable and read what that company wants to see or haunt the library. Also most companies place their writing guidelines on their website. Read and follow them slavishly.
When you submit a short story or poem, edit your writing the best, have faith in it and ask a close friend to review it. Or if you sleep on it a day or two, you can catch a spelling or grammatical error you didn't spot before. Use a good sized envelope and include a stamped self-addressed envelope and yes, pay the postage for the return route of your writing. The editor or publisher does not pay for postage but a writer should not pay for more than postage. Remember? So it pays to send your best writing.
There are often various writing groups and retreats that are held around the province or in your area. I have attended many of these, taken notes and pricked my ears till it hurt. In this way, you can make contacts that can help you in the future and may read or buy your book someday. They have lots of advice to offer. Take advantage of these.
Don't feel bad if you get one page of writing a day. It's ok and actually essential to be kind to yourself in this business.
If you do get a desk and office chair, be with the times and make it ergonomic. Plaster ergonomic to your forehead. There is not one thing romantic about having an aching writer's wrist- you cannot function then and are in pain. These days, chairs are made for a writer. You should feel comfortable and it should feel like home to you, not torture.
Add a few touches like a plant, flowers, pictures of your pets and pencil holders, etc.
I believe a writer should have a personalized coffee mug, too.
It doesn't hurt to have a charm that brings you good luck. Now, with the basics down, let's get to the next step. I own a filing cabinet (not expensive!), extra desk, soon to have a bookcase, lots of writing reference books, a stapler, files, paper paper paper, tons of pens and highlighters, business cards, letterhead, envelopes, etc. Most writers are in love with new stationary. Go with it.
So, new system and corner claimed for your writing, your eleventh coffee, make a commitment to write. No matter what and no matter how long. You will find your style.
Do not be afraid to be original. In fact, rather than sounding like Tom Clancy but I don't deny he's a great writer, but most editors are hunting for an original voice.
I tried for years and years to get published. I learned from the bottom and worked my way up attending numerous classes, workshops and keeping my ears pricked. I was once told I would never learn how to read. I can read and not only that, have a Bachelors degree. So the best way to master writing or enjoy a good wrestling struggle with your writing masterpieces- in plural, but it is to read, read, read. Read whatever you can grab and even if you read it upside down or backwards, I don't care just read it. It's a great way to see how other writers do tricks in their books not to mention to see how they broke into print.
I was floored when I finally printed a piece in Pets Quarterly. I was frustrated, and ready to give up hope. But I did it. The piece was brilliantly printed in the summer issue. And this is the thing. Once you do break in print, everyone wants you. Everyone has their eye on a newcomer. Suddenly, you're hot. I agreed to not be paid which means I am being a hyprocrite here but I am still scaling the mountain and to get to the top, I have to climb one metre at a time slowly. But it was a good magazine.
After that, scaling the mountain got easier. I have 2 articles in The Source magazine. I did research on elderly people and pet therapy and it pays to do research and have an open mind. And spell your contact's names carefully. I took a magazine writing course and it paid in dividends when it came time to writing the articles on assignment- I knew the skills I gleaned from the course.
The teachers and the people you interview want to talk about themselves. Again, listen and learn. I believe I have been fortunate in my writing career I have carved for myself. I was lucky to meet Margaret Atwood in person, mingle with Nova Scotian writers and find bookstores willing to carry my self-made book of poetry. I attended a writer in residence who recommended i send some poems to an established poet, which I did. She sent me comments.
Don't dismiss these little nuggets of gold. Every little bit helps to help you blossom into a wonderful writer that you can be. It all leads to the bigger things. I have done lots of poetry readings, was interviewed on the radio and my book of poetry earned a review in the Chronicle Herald from George Elliott Clarke. He said, "this book marks the arrival of a gifted voice." Well, I had a long way to go and now I've arrived.
Here are some more tips:
To make it as a writer, put the money second and the fierce dedication FIRST! Don't even think about money. I did countless poetry readings at venues, met other writers, kept writing and never gave up. I used everything I learned and did lots of research and lots and lots of writing. I keep a journal, still write poems, still write articles and sit in the attic.
Turn off the phone and email. Write.
It will go to voice mail.
Be health conscious.
Drugs are for drug addicts.
Find people supportive of your dream.
Become a lifetime member of your local library, writers' federation and bookstores.
Read writers' digest and anything else somewhat legible whether you are bleary eyed or just starting your day.
Live to write and write to live.
Love to write. Don't throw away prose that seems crappy one day. I almost forgot a piece of a story & one day picked it up. Two years later, i am finishing a top notch vampire novel. If it gets published, I will be thrilled - and have reached the top of the publishing mountain! I scaled Everest!
Until I get inspired again... perhaps a sequel lurks about my vampire novel?
I hope this is helpful.
Write on!
Currently we are in a recession in North America. Times are tough . It is important now more than ever for all the aspiring writers to strive toward excellence and success in their writing careers. Spruce up your writing area- new mouse or cords, fresh supply of printing paper, whatever works. I bought a dragon stapler and now look forward to a once mundane chore.
People want to read about how to remain above surface and how other people became successful during a rough financial time. It inspires them to do the same. So it gets around and then more people know how to stay afloat during a recession. While mulling over a page on an article you are frustrated about, bake some bread and brew a hot pot of stew. You have a hot meal that is healthy and delicious and can stretch your dollars further-all from your own home. Tell your friends and family that you need a second hand desk or ergonomic chair for your writing area. They may know someone or have a set in the attic that should be used. Buy post-consumer recycled paper to help the environment. And turn off your computer when it is not in use. All these tips can save you money and help down the road
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