I Want to Write a Book... but HOW!

Article Title: I Want to Write a Book... but HOW!

Submitted by: Craig Lock
Category (key words): "I Want to Write a Book", Writing, Writing a book, Creative Writing, Publishing Course, Book Publishing, E-books, Creative Writing Course, Writing Hints/Tips (enough there for now, craig!)
Web Sites: http://www.creativekiwis.com http://www.smashwords.com/extreader/read/35961/7/how-to-write-a-book- http://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/craiglock (e-books) + www.lulu.com/craiglock

Craig's new blog with extracts is at newbooksbycraiglock.wordpress.com

His other blog with thoughts and extracts from various writings is at
http://en.search.wordpress.com/?q=%22craig+lock%22 + www.craiglock.wordpress.com

Other Articles are available at: http://www.selfgrowth.com/articles/user/15565 and http://www.ideamarketers.com/library/profile.cfm?writerid=981

(Personal growth, self help, writing, internet marketing, spiritual, ‘spiritual writings’ (how ‘airey-fairey’), words of inspiration and money management, how boring now, craig!)

"We share what we know, so that we all may grow."
*

I WANT TO WRITE A BOOK!

I want to write a book...but are you sure you want to be a writer? You may think it sounds good and romantic - but I've found over here in provincial New Zealand that the "very down to-earth Kiwis" (New Zealanders) are not impressed one bit. Even back in my homeland, South Africa, no-one believed what I was saying for years - until they had my first book in their hands. Dreamer!

Firstly, a word of warning...

Writing is hard lonely work in probably the world's most solitary occupation. In fact, writing books usually doesn't make one rich - like all creative endeavours. There are only one or two Wilbur Smith's, James Michener's, Frederick Forsyths and Jefferey Archer's around. Most other writers barely scrape a living. Like me! The situation is far worse in a small country like New Zealand, where the average first print run is only 2000-3000 copies and even their most famous writers earn "peanuts".

Because of it's very small population, I took a broader world view with my work and went for the UK market (population 60 million, as opposed to the 4 million Kiwis). It was very much harder and took a lot longer time - 2 1/2 to 3 years from the time that I finished my first book 'How to Survive the Nineties'. Never mind, in the end it's all worth it. At least I hope so!

It's a great feeling to hold YOUR book in your own hand, a book containing your unique ideas, thoughts and visions. It's a part of you, which you are sharing a little bit with the world.

But it's not easy. Otherwise everyone would be doing it. All writers have to accept rejection...so be prepared for many disappointments along the way. Then when you taste success, you feel great.

A good book to get you started is

JOHN PARSONS NEW ZEALAND WRITER'S HANDBOOK:

from http://www.smashwords.com/extreader/read/35961/7/how-to-write-a-book-and...

So as the Nike ad says,

Just DO IT

Then hopefully one day I'll see your name in print or on the www.

Eureka!

Good luck* and happy writing

Craig Lock (Eagle Productions Books)

* Wasn't that once defined as where 'preparedness meets opportunity'

As the ancient Chinese proverb said so wisely...
"The jou
ey of a thousand miles begins with ...
a broken fan belt and a leaky tire."
PPS
Enjoy some of my favourite quotes...

"You will do foolish things, but do them with enthusiasm." - Colette

"He who cherises a beautiful vision, a lofty ideal in his heart, will one day realize it.
Dream lofty dreams and as you dream so shall you become." - James Allen

"Cherish your visions and your dreams as they are the children of your soul, the blueprints of your
ultimate accomplishments." - Napoleon Hill

"Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail." - Ralph Waldo Emerson

"Together, one mind at a time, let's see how many people we can impact, empower, uplift, encourage ... and perhaps even inspire to reach their fullest potentials."

Dreams
"Hold fast to dreamsr
For if dreams dier
Life is a broken-winged birdr
That cannot fly.
Hold fast to dreamsr
For when dreams gor
Life is a barren fieldr
Frozen with snow. " - Langston Hughes

This article may be freely published