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This week: Continuing Education Edited by: Storm Machine  
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Continuing Education
Unlike when you get a professional license, being a writer doesn't require a certain number of continuing education credits. However, it's a good idea to figure out new ways to infuse creativity and structure into your writing.
Creativity and structure? Yeah, I meant to write that. Everyone has strengths in the art of writing, but that doesn't mean we don't have other parts where we can improve. Classes, books, and critique groups can be good points to start.
Why? If we don't keep trying to learn things, we'll never improve as writers. The most important thing is to write- just write. Even this much will change your style over time. Have you read an early work by a favorite author and then a later one? Compare them over time and you'll note differences.
I listened to Ann Patchett speak at the University of Iowa, and one thing she talked about her first reader, Elizabeth McCracken, and how the comments she gave Ann changed. This was for two reasons - Ann incorporated Elizabeth's comments over time and needed different feedback, and Elizabeth gave a deeper critique as Ann reached new heights.
We don't all have a faithful first reader, though many spouses and best friends suffer through our early works. Just keep writing and learning. Make your work shine! |
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emerin-liseli 
"Let's Publish!"
Amen to your newsletter. As you stated, it's not easy to make writing a career, and there's nothing wrong with simply writing for your personal pleasure. I think it's important, however, not to have any delusions one way or another. "Getting serious" is a serious thing! 
Getting serious is so serious! Be careful with it.
ArizonaHeat
Great job, Storm!!
Thank you,
Dee.
Thanks.
Adriana Noir
Fantastic advice!  I really loved the part about your daay job not letting you come in and squeeze in a little effort whn you felt like it! Priceless!
Yes, well, day jobs are like that.
LJPC - the tortoise
Thanks, Storm. You're right on all counts. Writing takes dedication and determination. Talent is important, but hard work and luck count for something, too. My favorite saying is: "The successful writer is the one who didn't give up." -- Laura
I'm all for not giving up. I'm going to write that one down!
Jeff 
Great NL this week, Storm! I'm fortunate to enjoy my day job... but it does put me in the precarious position of constantly wondering exactly where my writing priorities sit. And you're totally right... at some point I (and the rest of us) do have to make a decision and commit to either our writing being a career path, or a hobby. 
Just remember there's nothing wrong with being a hobby writer.
Christine Cassello
Very nice. I have found that another difference is that a person feels a compulsion to write. If I don't write something every day, even if only making comments like this, I feel that something is wrong with me and will become depressed. I need to write.
Write away!
Joshiahis
"Invalid Item"
There was ALOT of information contained within the items you presented with this newsletter. Thank you very much.
~Lee
You're welcome. Hope it helps.
Raine
Good thoughts. You can't enjoy writing as a hobby if you think you should be cranking out thousands of words a day as a "proffesional" writer. And you can't have a career as a writer if you treat it like a weekend hobby.
On a sidenote: Kathleen Woodwiss wrote historical romances and was considered one of the best and she only published a book about every five years. As a reader, I can say she made it worth the wait but I can't imagine living on the royalties from a single title for five years.
I find it hard to believe she could live off he royalties for five years. That'd be a lot of books sold. Most authors don't live off the royalties of all their titles, much less a single one.
Free_Rip
Great newsletter! I like the topic you chose and the theme for the highlighted items- definetly useful if, like me, you have no idea how to get published. After all, we do the writing, shouldn't someone else have to do the rest? 
Oh, I wish! |
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For Authors: June 02, 2010 Issue [#3778]
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