A Young Writer's Guide to Getting Published - How to Create a Market for Your Writing

"A specialist is someone who does everything else worse."rnUS violinist Ruggiero Ricci Establish what you do well, then do it...well. There are many niches in the publishing world. 'How to' books, commercial thrillers, graphic vampire novels, technical manuals, children's illustrated books, celebrity biographies. The secret to becoming a successful author is to identify as early as you can where your writing strengths lie then get to work honing your talent to become the best in that genre. When I studied journalism many years ago, there were 30 people in my class. Each one had their own unique style of writing and it was fascinating as the course progressed to see each one of them blossom and develop into a different animal.rnSome were great reporters, others were very skilled in radio while others became editing experts.rnWe all, as writers, have a unique style. It is what is known as the writer's voice.rnWhen you pick up a Fitzgerald novel or an Austen or a Dickens or any of these great writers, you know you are home.rnYou know their voice and that is why you buy. Because they are the writers who appeal to you most.rnWriting is a lifetime quest. It is a journey which bleeds you dry, eats you up, spits you out with no guarantee of anything. Is that what you want?rnIf it is, and you are committed to learning your craft, then congratulations, you have made it this far.rnBut if you are serious about developing your skills, the best place to start is inside yourself. Find your voice.rnWhat are you good at writing?rnAre you a great person for descriptions, for dialogue, for explaining. Each one of us has our own strengths. Some have more than one. Some have a whole bag. They are the lucky few referred to as 'genius'.rnBut for the other mere mortals, we have to grow and nurture what we have. The more you practice, the luckier you get.rnSo establishing your forte then focusing on it is a great way to start. Before you write anything, think about genre.rnWhat sort of book do you want to write, what are you compelled to write. Think about that before anything else.rnPlanning is the first discipline a writer needs to think about. It is the most frustrating but also the most essential.rnWithout sensible planning, you are sunk. You can't get from A to B without knowing where B is.rnSo sit down, write down the areas you are interested in and think about what you read, what you know, what you enjoy. And then work out how you are going to sell it.rnOh, I forgot, I'm going to tell you how to do that. Think about what you are good at, think about the type of books you would like to write and then focus on becoming the best writer in that field of excellence. Try not to become a Jack of all trades as we know where this got him. A master of one is still a master.