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9.
AOTW: What advice do you have for aspiring writers?
Laura Blake Peterson:
When asked, I tell aspiring writers to write for three hours a day for three years. At
the end of that time you'll know if you're a writer. Don't spend a lot of time going to
writers’ conferences. It doesn't matter who you know or who you meet. If you are a
good storyteller with a good story to tell, you'll find success.
Linda Mead:
The four Ps of Publishing: Passion, Persistence, Patience and Promotion. If you have
worthy motives for what you do, then you will win people over through your writing and
your publicity.
Lisa Swayne:
Because of the kinds of books I do, my clients tend to be journalists with an
established career or business people who are writing books as part of a larger project.
In general, though, I always tell writers to work hard to hone their craft, then commit to
getting published. A local magazine, a university literary journal, a noted webzine ---
all of these are great places to get started.
Jane Dystel:
Do your homework on all aspects of your craft. Writing is hard work and preparation.
Like any other craft, it must be honed and constantly perfected. Don’t rush to get
something half-finished out in your eagerness to have others read it or to get a big book
contract. It always shows. Finally, learn to take criticism with grace, especially from
those who are trying to help.
Maria Carvainis:
Know what your strengths as a writer are and recognize that publishing is ferociously
competitive. The goal of a publisher is to earn profits and profits are achieved by
building a readership the publishing house can reasonably expect to tap into. Any writer
must have a sense, whether conscious or unconscious, of their prospective readership and
the marketplace and be responsive to the readers, which means giving them a better book
and being ready to promote themselves as writers. This kind of awareness builds what I
call "shelf power" and results in a career for the writer. Ultimately, any
writer has to understand the power of his/her ability to enthrall readers. Too often, a
writer fails to appreciate the power wielded by the written word.
Amy Berkower:
My advice for aspiring writers is that they try to find their own voice within the
framework of the market. Writing is a craft, publishing is a business.
Loretta Barrett:
Just keep writing, and keep writing what you want to write. There is no better way, and
no other way to get better.
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