TOP SECRET! The One-Year Path To Publication
There is a way to virtually guarantee your publication within a
single year. No, it has nothing to do with self-publication.
This path is not for dilettantes, and will push you to the
limit, but it has worked for dozens of my students, and it will
work for you.
It is based on writing principles first proposed by two giants
in the publishing field, science-fiction writers Ray Bradbury,
and Robert Heinlein, over thirty years ago. And no, you don't
have to be a science fiction writer. No matter what your
ULTIMATE goal--novel, screenplay, playwright, or poet, you can
adapt this method. It is designed to address literally every
major problem you have or might encounter as a writer.
1) Write a story a week, or a story every other week. 2) Read
10X as much as you write. 3) Put your stories in the mail. Keep
them in the mail until they sell. 4) Never re-write except to
editorial request.
And there you go. Now let's look back at the steps for a bit of
further explanation.
1) Write a story a week, or a story every other week. These can
be as short as you wish. No, it doesn't matter if you want to
write novels, or your ideas tend to emerge from your
subconscious in long form. If you're a newbie runner training
for a marathon, you'd start by running around the block,
wouldn't you? You wouldn't start by running twenty-six miles,
that's for sure! Everything you need to know to write a book is
contained in a short story, and writing 100,000 words of short
stories will improve your writing far more than that same
100,000 words devoted to a novel. Scriptwriting? Before you can
write a script, you need to be certain you understand
storytelling. I mean REALLY understand it, subconsciously. Short
stories give you a chance to hone your skills. Poetry? Well, in
this case, write a poem a week! Non-Fiction? Sure! Write an
article a week! 2) Read 10X what you write. There is nothing
sadder than a young writer who doesn't read for fear of
"contaminating his style." This is complete self-delusion. A
writer DESPERATELY needs to read everything she can get her
hands on...and of the very best quality. Personally, I read one
act of Shakespeare aloud each morning, to simultaneously improve
my writing and speaking ability. 3) Put your stories in the
mail. Every week, or every other week, one of your stories
should be submitted to an editor who pays money for publication.
Frankly, it doesn't matter how much. Money is a very cold
equation, something different from pats on the back, cheers,
contributors copies or even awards. When an editor cuts you a
check, there is a lack of warm fuzzy feelings, and a
down-to-earth "will my readers like this" that is completely
different from the accolades or criticisms of your writing group
or class. THIS is the feedback you need: a check that clears the
bank. Get your stories out! And web publication is just fine in
this regard--as long as there is money. Even a penny a word--or
less!--is just fine. 4) Don't re-write except to editorial
request. Once your story is finished and initially re-written,
move on. Don't re-write endlessly, trying to get it "perfect."
You'll learn more by writing a new story than re-writing an old
one endlessly.
If you'll do this, I promise you your first sales within fifty
stories. At the story a week level, that's one year! Just one
year from today, you could be a paid author. And for any real
writer, that should be an idea exciting enough to keep them up
late, and get them up early, typing away, knowing that that
first acceptance check is less than 365 days way.