It is my dream to be a published author
By patgalca
@patgalca (18481)
Orangeville, Ontario
November 2, 2007 1:01pm CST
I am a member of a writing group and am writing a novel. I have participated in writing workshops and one-on-one critiques with award-winning authors. I had a short story published in a local magazine but didn't get paid. It was for exposure.
Our group has decided to put together an anthology. I am thrilled about this especially since one of our members has been published and has a connection to a publisher. I thought "Finally!" until everyone in the group agreed that profits from the sale of the book would go towards a scholarship for a member of our group who passed away recently. As much as I love and will miss this member, I could really use the money. That is actually an understatement: we are literally drowning in debt. Any money we spend is not ours, it's the bank's. But then again, when we get this book published I will get some exposure and also have a connection to a publisher so I am looking on the bright side.
But, now I am having trouble coming up with something to submit to the project. The title of the book is "Change". Short stories, poetry, personal essays, whatever. I still don't know what to write.
I will have to stop messing around online and get to work on writing anything and everything I can. But what to write?
8 people like this
7 responses
@morgandrake (2136)
• United States
2 Nov 07
You will get used to the feeling if you remain in the field long enourgh. A large part of a working writer's life is asking "What am I going to write about today?" In my case today, I am not sure. Yet. I will know after I get done writing it.
I hate group discussions like that one. As a working writer, my writing time is my livelihood. I detest people who voluteer my writing time away; it is not tax deductable here in the States. I rather get paid, and then donate the money--otherwise, it looks like I am not treating my business as a business.
My suggestion is to try to retain some rights to the piece. That way you might be able to market it (aka resell it) later for some cash.
Good luck.
3 people like this
@AnythngArt (3302)
• United States
3 Nov 07
Although you really need the money, I would just seize the opportunity to be published in a book and try and parlay that into another opportunity in which you can profit financially. With having so many authors for an anthology, I doubt you would make much of anything from the royalties. However, you will gain the credential of being published in a book, which will make you much more credible with another publisher or a literary agent. Let this go, with a view to improving your overall life as a writer down the road. Good luck with your book!
@BarBaraPrz (51811)
• St. Catharines, Ontario
2 Nov 07
Why don't you write a visualization of how your life will change when you win the Governor General's Award?
2 people like this
@KrauseHome (36445)
• United States
11 Nov 07
I can understand why it could be hard for you to Write this, as if it was me in this situation, I would have troubles Writing something as well. All I can tell you, is to think on Changes and what has influenced you, and to help you be where you are today. What I find myself doing, is start writing concerning one issue, and other ideas start flowing to where I now have a notebook full of different stories and such in time I would Love to get published.
And depending on where you are submitting your Work too some of the stuff may be able to be used again somewhere else in time. You just need to find out what their rules are and go from there. Good Luck with your Writing and your Goal of wanting to be a Published author.
@Perry2007 (2229)
• Philippines
11 Nov 07
congratulations, you just have a topic to write about, " How to choose a topic to write about" lol... record what yopu do from today to the time you have discovered the perfect topic to write about. Its a whole new story don't you think.
I'd lilke to invite you to one site where writters gather, you earn everytime you have anything published there and many more for authors like you. check it out at Perry2007.gather.com
@terri0824 (5203)
• United States
31 Dec 07
Sorry that I am just getting to this discussion since you started it several months ago. But I have been trying to respond to discussion that come through my e-mail and just getting to it. I hope you came up with some things to write about CHANGE.
@patgalca (18481)
• Orangeville, Ontario
1 Jan 08
I did actually. Unfortunately it was inspired by an "event" that took place at my daughter's high school (and other similar events). There was a threat of a school shooting on Halloween this year. I decided to write a story about how a shooting changed the attitude of one of the victims. I am going to enter it in the short story contest (if I can get it down to maximum word count) and by the time we publish our anthology, the contest will be over so I will be free to publish it there.
@I_LUV_U (2519)
• India
14 Nov 07
Hi patgalca,
Geez, I too have this dream of becoming a published author. My Goal is to achieve it in the next 5 years. I fantasize about being a famous author. But I know how difficult it is to become a popular author in this computerised world, when there are only a few people left to buy books. Most of them are hooked to the computers, they get money, fun, knowledge, etc everything from there. Who cares for the poor books?
But, there are still some hopes for the aspiring writers, seeing the terrific response for the "Harry potter" series of J.K. Rowling. It takes a lot more than hardwork, to write a book and make it a grand success.
@Countrymom (371)
• United States
3 Nov 07
There are a few great sites online for writing that will pay you. You can submit short stories, poetry and articles and get a great jump start on your career. If you are interested pm me (I think you have to add me as a friend first) and I will send you the link.
