Thoughts on writing

Musings

I postulated somewhere there are certain stages in becoming a writer - Wannabe, Want to Be, Writer to Be, Amateur, Writer that Is, Semi-pro and Pro.

According to my calculations, in March 1992, I was a Wannabe. In September 1993, after reading several "How-to" books and subscribing to various writers' magazines, I was a Want to Be. In June 1994, with two published stories under my belt, I was a Writer to Be. In November 1996, with sixteen publishing credits accumulated in small press magazines, I reached Amateur status. Still working on the fifth stage.

I credit Calliope, the newsletter of the Writer's Special Interest Group of Mensa for getting me started. Donna Bocian Currie, the previous editor, published my letters to the editor, my first short story and my first reviews. It was great to see my words in print.

You don't have to be a member of Mensa to join the Writer's SIG. I highly recommend the newsletter.

If you're a published writer, you don't have time to read this -- you're too busy Writing. For the rest of you, don't worry overmuch about not getting published. Seems like my first six writing months, I submitted all the wrong things (unpublishable mss.) to all the wrong places. The next six months, I submitted all the right things (publishable mss.) to all the wrong places.

Finally figured out how to research the markets - write for guidelines, buy sample copies and read the magazines I was submitting to.

For the past couple of years, I've had work accepted, which is great. But also, the majority of my rejections are personal, now. And the editor usually says, "Try again." - which is very encouraging.

If you have read this far, perhaps you really want to be a writer. In these pages, I talk about my writing experiences and hope to encourage you in your endeavors.

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This page last updated 5-10-98.

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