The reasons why abound, but in my 44 years in this business, I can tell you the following:
1. Everyone can spin a tale! You do it all the time. You tell your friends real stories, funny stories, sad stories and ones you wish you lived.
You instinctively know a story has a beginning, middle and end. Every joke does. Every tale of how your dog ate your homework. Every fantasy of winning the lottery or the partner of your dreams.
What is the story you burn to tell?
And do you have more than one?
2. Many people who aspire to writing have little idea of the work involved. The need is to write clearly, be concise and use colorful words and phrases. Yes, some grew up in households where the "gift for gab" prevailed. But those stories, illustrated by elegant language, conveyed by parents or sibs were definitely shorter. Some were repeated and became legends. Few were constantly edited to become faster, more colorful or useful. The truth is that most stories need editing.
Why? Because not every sentence you utter has relevance, coherence—and drama.
Which means you must be able to look at each sentence, each paragraph, each scene with objectivity.
Can you kill your precious words?
Can you elaborate on them to make a 60,000 word novel or 80,000 or 100,000?
Most authors climb their way to a decent financial reward for their work. Many have to learn how to promote their stories. Some never learn. Some are fortunate enough to work with publishers that promote their work for and with them.
Enduring the highs and lows of a business where essentially you are alone is a big challenge.
Do you have the time for it?
The energy?
The creativity?
Nibble of my first cherry in this series? YES!
