First question you need to ask yourself is "do you want to write or do you want to be published?" Because there are a lot of people out there (swing a dead cat and you'll hit one) who want to be published. But very few people actually want to write. Publishing is not writing. Writing is writing. That means before you start soliciting agents or publishers, you need to sit down and type all 378 pages of that Great American Novel you like to bring up every time you have a little too much wine at a dinner party. And then after you get all 378 pages down, you need to make them good. This might take a little more of your free time than you imagine. Buh-bye, TIVO. Hello, carpal tunnel.
The writing life has served me well, but not in ways that most people would think. While many of my friends have gone on to ascend to the golden, even platinum rungs of their chosen profession. I have spent the past 12 years dangling from the corporate ladder while I pecked out novels and read everything I could get my hands on. It has been a great 12 years. I wouldn't change a beat. But 12 years of barely scraping by, angsting over people who aren't actually real, and hunching over a keyboard, isn't for everyone.
So if you want to write, or if you are a writer, you need to ask yourself if it's really worth it. Do you really want to risk an easier life for a writing life? That's the bottom line. There's a reason why Virginia Woolf, Hemingway, and John Kennedy Toole all offed themselves, and it wasn't because they sold insurance. (Actually, Kafka made his living selling insurance, not from his writing)
Anyway, if the answer is yes, or even maybe, start with learning as much as you can about your craft. Actually, scratch that. Start with writing. Sit down and write. Everyday. That is what makes you a writer. Nothing more and nothing less. Then learn as you go. Take classes. Read great books. Go to conferences. But most importantly, write.
While you are not writing then you might want to check out some of these conferences. My advice is to write until you can get into one, if not all three:
Texans check out these resources:
SMU's Continuing Education
The Writer's Garrett
Writers League of Texas
So I started reading your book today. Some of the characters sound a lot like folks I know here in Dallas. How much is based on real people in Dallas? Anyway, congratualations on the success - I will let you know how I enjoy the book!
Posted by: Alexander Muse | August 14, 2005 at 09:24 PM
Thanks for the encouraging words, Will. I have an independent streak in me, and it's always a pleasure to see the other independents out there break out. I love seeing the self published authors succeed.
Best,
George Bailey
Posted by: George Bailey | August 15, 2005 at 08:29 AM
I really just wanted to be published. Do you have any pointers for me? ;)
Posted by: Shawn Lea | August 19, 2005 at 01:38 PM