How I did it: I started out as a teen with great ambition and talent. Then I got married and didn't write anything for over a decade. Then, at 28, I decided to write...but procrastinated until I started talking with other published authors through my marketing job.

At 29, I went back to college (since I wanted to do that anyway) and started talking with a writing group. I've switched groups a few times since (because people don't always like it when you succeed where they fail). I learned things from all of them. I also just started writing and posting my work for others to critique.

My first novel got scrapped because I learned so much in the process and didn't want to start over. The second, I wrote fast (7 days) after I had a plotting system worked out and all the characters detailed. I started submitting it to publishers.

While I waited, I started selling short stories to web publications and working my way up. By the second publisher submission, I had a few credits worth mentioning. That publisher contracted the story.

The process continued with the second one, which also landed me a three book deal.

Lessons & tips:

• Remember that publishing is generally a ladder. You work your way up. A few start out on top, but the only way they have to go is down because they often don't have the tools to stay on top.
  
• Write every day..at least every week day. It keeps the story flow right.
  
• Find your peak writing hours each day.
  
• Read King's "On Writing" at least twice.
  
• Don't go into it for the money. Write because you want to and don't even think about the money.
  
• Learn as much as you can about the craft of writing.

Dec 16, 2008, 07:22AM PST | 1 comment | 6 cheers