How to become a Writer

 Brian Doyle, discussing his Dad’s advice in his essay “How Did You Become a Writer?”:

“If you wish to be a writer, write, he would say. There are people who talk about writing and then there are people who sit down and type. Writing is fast typing. Also you must read like you are starving for ink. Read widely. Read everything. Note how people get their voices and hearts and stories down on the page. Also get a job; eating is a good habit and you will never make enough of a living as a writer to support a family. Be honest with yourself about the size of your gift. Expect no money but be diligent about sending pieces out for publication. All money is gravy. A piece is not finished until it is off your desk and onto an editor’s desk. Write hard and then edit yourself hard. Look carefully at your verbs to see if they can be energized. Learn to ask a question and then shut your mouth and listen [….] Listening is the greatest literary art […] rhythm and cadence are your friends as a writer.” 

A Lifetime of Reading Taught Min Jin Lee How to Write About Her Immigrant World: https://www.nytimes.com/2021/04/07/books/review/min-jin-lee-writer.html?fbclid=IwAR12lYUwY2EfvuxTHHw_c9ICZ1rnferboU8JaDU0kgS5W6f1qwNNWV7BVTE

Got the book The 5 secrets of Highly successful author by Sweta Samota and this is my 63rd of 2021.

First Secret: Purpose => Idea => Audience => Book Launch Highly Successful authors work on their purpose,

Building A Strong Author Mindset involves three things – Mental Preparation => Affirmation => Visualization

Purpose -) Foundation -) Research -) Outline -)Mindset (mental, goal, time) -) Editing (Far to near after manuscript is ready) -) publish 

Write without fear, edit without mercy. 

For editing you can use:

https://app.grammarly.com/ddocs/1224873813

https://hemingwayapp.com/

https://prowritingaid.com/Free

For book cover you can use:

Canva.com – ebook cover – Use it and change – as others may also take it and use. – If you see ‘Pro’ means you have to pay for it.

https://www.canva.com/

diybookcovers.com – Online mock up – 3D Mock up.

	Traditional Publisher	Vanity Publisher	Self-Publishing
Meaning	Established. Don’t accept everything	Accept everything based on rate card	You publish your own book.
Time to market	2 years	6 months to 1 year	48 hours
Cost Vs. royalty	8 to 10L Cost and 30% royalty	5K to 2L ; 10 to 30% royalty	Actuals, cover design, editing, amazon 70%
Transparency	Nil	Based on contract	Dashboard is updated every hour in amazon
Marketing	You have to do	You have to do	You have to do.
Example	Penguin, Rupa	Notion press, Bureau

Once you create the character, get into the characters shoes. 

Are you currently writing a Fiction story? Do you know what makes for an engrossing Story? One that will keep readers turning the pages deep in the night. If you are worried that your Story is not good enough, that's not a problem. You simply need to add the Four Secret Ingredients that make a COMPELLING STORY. Here they are... 

 SECRET #1: Your story must have a Super High Conflict Conflict is the heart of any story. If there is no Conflict, the reader will get bored. Having a Conflict in your story is good, but having a Super High Conflict where everything is going against the protagonist ramps up the tension and makes the reader wonder what's going to happen next. Brainstorm 3-4 conflicts and then ask yourself, 'How can I make this even worse for the protagonist?' 

 SECRET #2: Your Character must Change over the course of the Story You may have seen negative reviews that said, 'I didn't care for the Hero/ine. The characters were flat and uninteresting.' This usually happens when the writer doesn't go deep into the motivations and desires of the characters and why they want a certain goal within the story. Your character must have either a postive change or a negative change over the course of the story. That makes it realistic for the readers and makes them invested in your character's goals. 

 SECRET #3: Your Story must have a Ticking Clock If the Heroine is leaving town on a certain date and the Hero hasn't professed his love, then it immediately ramps up the conflict because of the looming deadline. The Hero should propose to the Heroine and let her know his feelings, or else his love will be lost forever. If its an Action Thriller, an attack will happen on a certain date; but the protagonist doesn't know who will attack or where will it take place. Having a Deadline in your story means readers know that this conflict has to be resolved asap. 

SECRET #4: Your Story should have an X-Factor Your story should have a Fresh and Unique aspect that makes it appealing to your Readers. This can be accomplished by either having it set in a unique location, or by having an unfamiliar conflict, or by having unusual characters. 

 MODULE 1: BANISH WRITER'S BLOCK - You will learn how to Double your Wordcount even if you have no idea what to write. 

MODULE 2: CREATE YOUR BLOCKBUSTER STORY HOOK - You will gain complete clarity on your Story by adding Six Elements of a Blockbuster Fiction Story that will make Readers want to read your book. 

 MODULE 3: HOW TO CREATE MEMORABLE CHARACTERS - If you aspire to make Readers fall in Love with your Characters, your characters need four special traits in the story. 

 MODULE 4: HOW TO BECOME A MASTER OF FICTION WRITING - There are Three Secrets that will help you become a Master of Fiction Writing and gain Raving Fans. 

Most important thing is the product. And it is the story. 

First outline it. For non fiction we can use mindmaps. For Fiction first create outline. For story follow the format:

Story Arc : God father 

Exposition : Vito Corleone is the most feared and most respected Don in Newyork in 1945. He has 3 sons and a daughter and a god son.

Rising action : Tensions set in when Don Corleone refuses the offer by drug Barron Sollozzo to enter the narcotics business and provide political protection. 

Climax : In a series of events of rivalry between the 5 mafia families Don Corleone is severely injured , Eldest son Sonny is killed .

Resolution : His youngest son Michael takes up the charge on behalf of his father.

Falling action : Michael arranges to murder the Newyork city dons and everything is back to normal.

Once book is ready, don't forget:

• Proof reading
• Layout
• Post layout reading
• Final re-reading
• Publishing 

A perfect RECIPE for content writing. 

  

R - RESEARCH IS ALWAYS IMPORTANT 

E - EDITING IS EVEN MORE IMPORTANT 

C - CONTENT IS ALWAYS THE KING 

I -  INTERESTING ALWAYS SELLS 

P - PROOFREADING IS MANDATORY 

E - EMOTIONAL CONNECTION IS KEY TO   ATTRACT PEOPLE