| If you stopped ten average people on the street | | | | even less books are published than are written. |
| and asked what it means to be an author, the | | | | To become a published novel writer, you will need |
| majority of them are liable to describe a novel | | | | to either learn how to self publish your book or to |
| writer. Of course, there are dozens of other | | | | approach publishers or agents about doing it for |
| types of professional writers out there - consider | | | | you. Self publishing is sort of a world in and of |
| the children's book writer, the nonfiction book | | | | itself, with lots of ins and outs to understand |
| writer, and those who have jobs writing for web | | | | before getting too involved. |
| sites and magazines. It's funny how we often | | | | On the other hand, the traditional methods of |
| think that "novel writer" is the only definition that | | | | publishing aren't exactly easy, either. You need to |
| writers can have. | | | | be willing to have your creative writing scrutinized |
| Still, many of us knew early on that we wanted | | | | and criticized. You have to be able to find and |
| to be writers, and to us that meant "I am going | | | | follow a variety of writer guidelines. Basically, you |
| to be a novel writer when I grow up!" Since it | | | | have to be willing to work your tail off if your |
| never occurred to many to become a nonfiction | | | | goal is to be a published novel writer. This can be |
| book writer or a journalist, they spent their time | | | | really daunting, but when you see that book in |
| honing their creative writing skills by writing fiction. | | | | print, all of the proposals, rejections, and editors' |
| Plots were teased. Characters were fleshed out. | | | | suggestions will be more than worth it. |
| Subplots were woven. There are countless books | | | | There are a lot of tips that can help improve your |
| and writing resources out there that promise to | | | | chances of publication. Pay attention to writing |
| teach you how to become a successful novel | | | | resources like writer guidelines, and look for |
| writer, and there are just as many people willing | | | | publishers that have recently printed books in the |
| to buy them to learn the "secrets." | | | | same genre as yours. Network with other writers |
| Not many people follow through on their dream | | | | who might have more information than you do. |
| of becoming a novel writer. After all, writing an | | | | Spend time in the publishing section of the library |
| entire novel takes a whole lot of time and effort. | | | | or local bookstore. These are just a couple of |
| If you've gotten this far, then you are already a | | | | simple steps you can take toward publication. If |
| long way ahead of most! If you've finished the | | | | you're satisfied letting your finished manuscript get |
| entire manuscript, then it's likely you're also | | | | dusty on a shelf, that's O.K., too. You can take |
| beginning to seriously consider what steps you | | | | great pride in the fact that you finished it. If you |
| need to take to become a published novel writer. | | | | really want to be a published novel writer, |
| Getting your novel published is a process that can | | | | however, then writing the dang book is only part |
| take every bit as much time and effort as writing | | | | of the equation. |
| the darn thing did in the first place. This is why | | | | |