BECOMING A WRITER - AND MARKETING TIPS

1. Build Characters So Real They Breathe

If there is one single craft element that separates forgettable fiction from the kind of story that haunts a reader for years after they finish it, it is this: character. Plot is what happens. Character is why anyone cares. Readers will forgive a slow middle, a convenient coincidence, even a weak ending — but they will never forgive a protagonist they don't believe in. The greatest worldbuilding, the tightest prose, the most explosive action sequences all collapse to nothing if the person at the center feels hollow. Think about the stories that changed you. You don't remember the plot points as much as you remember the people — Katniss choosing to protect her sister, Ender's moral unraveling, Darrow's rage beneath a mask of obedience. Characters are the vessel through which every other element of your story is experienced. Invest in them accordingly.

Great characters need three things working together: a want (the external goal driving the plot), a need (the internal wound they must heal to truly win), and a flaw that keeps those two things in constant, painful tension. Layer on contradictions — brave but selfish, loving but dishonest — because contradiction is what makes people feel human. Give them a voice so distinct you could identify their dialogue without a dialogue tag. Make their choices costly. Let them be wrong sometimes, and right in ways that surprise even you.

Homework: Write a one-to-two page "soul document" for your main character. Answer these questions: What do they want? What do they need that they can't yet see? What lie do they believe about themselves or the world? What is their greatest fear, and how does it quietly control their decisions? What would they sacrifice everything for — and what would they refuse to sacrifice no matter the cost? Keep this document close and consult it every time your character faces a major decision.

2. Read Voraciously — and AnalyticallyMost writers are readers first, but passive reading only gets you so far. The real growth comes from reading like a writer: asking why a scene works, how an author built tension, or why a character felt real. Dissecting prose at the craft level rewires how you write.

Homework: Pick a chapter from a book you love and rewrite a single paragraph in your own style. Then compare the two side by side. Notice what the original author did that you didn't — pacing, word choice, sentence rhythm. Do this once a week.

3. Master the Art of Showing vs. TellingTelling is efficient; showing is immersive. Great fiction leans on sensory detail, action, and subtext to convey emotion rather than just naming it. "She was angry" is a label. Showing us her jaw tighten and her keys hit the counter makes us feel it.

Homework: Write ten "telling" sentences (e.g., "He was nervous") and convert each one into a two-to-three sentence "showing" passage using only physical detail and behavior. No emotion words allowed.

4. Write Flawed, Motivated CharactersReaders don't connect with perfect protagonists — they connect with broken ones trying to become whole. Every compelling character needs a clear want (external goal), a deeper need (internal wound), and a flaw that puts those two things in conflict. That tension is what drives a story forward.

Homework: Build a one-page character profile for your protagonist that answers three questions: What do they want? What do they actually need? And what lie do they believe about themselves that keeps them from getting it?

5. Write Every Day — Even BadlyWaiting for inspiration is a trap. The habit of sitting down and producing words, even ugly ones, is what separates published authors from perpetual dreamers. First drafts are supposed to be rough. The goal isn't quality on pass one — it's momentum and volume that you can later shape into something great.

Homework: Commit to a 15-minute daily writing sprint with zero editing allowed. Use a prompt if needed. Track your streak on a calendar. The rule is simple: words go down, nothing comes back up until the timer ends.

6. Ruthlessly ReviseThe first draft is you telling yourself the story. Every draft after that is you telling it to the reader. Strong revision means cutting scenes that don't serve the plot, tightening dialogue, and questioning every word. The willingness to kill your darlings — those beautifully written passages that don't belong — is what elevates good writing to great writing.

Homework: Take a completed scene and cut it by 20% without losing any meaning. Force yourself to eliminate redundant phrases, weak adverbs, and on-the-nose dialogue. If it stings to cut something, that's probably the right cut to make.

Publishing a book is the second highest goal in America.  There are many writers out there--and many individuals who are trying to publish their book.  Unfortunately, with the shear number of manuscripts even a good one has a very low chance of being published.  Most the time, the MS will be put in a slush pile, which is in very close proximity to the trash can.  For a first time author, and in this economy, getting published by a major publishing house is akin to purchasing a winning lottery ticket.  

The stories that are mostly likely published are women’s fiction--since this represents the largest readership.  But, just because it is most likely published, it does not mean it will be successful.  With the abundant amount women's fiction out there, it is hard to make a name for oneself unless you have a unique idea (like vampires?).

Publishers are looking for a sure thing--something that will sale at least 10,000 copies.  Even if you have the best query letter, the best book idea, and the best 'go getter' attitude, they won't be likely to pick up your book unless you have a platform.  A platform is a large amount of individuals that are interested in the things you write--such as a blog or a youtube following.  

Like all platforms, in order to have viability, the creator needs to produce value.  A good level of value is to have 3 quarters value to 1 quarter advertisement.  That means for everything you try to get your readers to do or buy, you should have add at least 3x the value with good information.  

If you've tried establishing a platform, but only can get a few uninterested relatives to join.  Then you need to impress the publishers with your publishing experience--or as they call it publishing credits.  Essentially, what other publishers have taken a chance on you in the past?  To meet this end, it is important to take every opportunity to publish anything you can--such as an article in a church newsletter, or a letter to the editor in the local newspaper.  Make attempts to publish in every small newspaper or magazine in your area.  Usually small papers will be more than delighted to publish a well written article--especially if it means they don't have to write it themselves.  The publishers will want to know pertinent publishing credits; so be sure to wright articles that establish you as an expert in the field that your book is being published--this is especially true for a non-fiction.