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That's probably the most frequent thing adults and teens both say to me when they hear what I do for a living.
I'm a writer, not a publisher, so I'm not going to be able to get you published. But I can offer some advice
and some links that have helped me along the way.
Writing can be just for fun. I started out writing in school as a way to entertain my best bud Mist, and
it grew from there. As I got older and my writing got better, I came to find out that I could have fun AND
maybe make a bit of money at the same time.
I have to say that I'm not an expert on the subject of publication. I could go into a long, drawn-out report
on the business side of writing, but I won't. (Mainly because it would border on plagarism.)
Instead, I'll offer up some links to some of the sites and resources that helped me get to where I am.
You want to be a writer? Fantastic! I will offer up the two secret words to becoming a writer--
READ and WRITE.
You do that and you're halfway there.
 
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For me, the biggest difference between being published (i.e.
breaking in) and not, is perseverance. That's my biggest advice. The writer has to really want it badly enough
to persevere regardless of rejection.
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I think some good advice (meaning, I sure wish
I'd done it!) is to become very familiar with the business of publishing. The best ways: work at a publishing
house, library, or bookstore. It seems like so many of my writer friends have done this, and I think it played a big
part in their landing book deals. It's more than just "Read"; it's "Make books your whole life."
That, and hire a book doctor, not because they're so brilliant,
but because they'll at least knock you off your pedastle and get you to see beyond your own hype. Likewise, join a harsh
(but supportive) critique group. Anything to force you to see your own work with brutally honest eyes.
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As for advice to aspiring writers -- I found it very encouraging
when I was early in the game to read how-to articles and books that said (among other things) that if I was reading this,
I was ahead of 90% of the pack. In other words, one thing that sets unpublished writers apart (as you no doubt know)
is their willingness to research the markets, be thoughtful about where they submit, how they prepare their manuscripts, etc.
~Christopher Tebbets, author The Viking saga 1-4
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