Any Writers In The House?

[gumboot]

Just curious if there are any writers, be that as a hobby, profession or "semi-professional" (want it to be professional but not quite there yet) :)

I fit into the "semi-professional" status I suppose, areas of writing being theatre, film, and the "fantasy" genre of novels.

-Andrew

[Jonathan Hamilton]

I write, though it's been a little over a year since I last made money doing it. Coincidentally, I've had a more business-oriented career for about the same amount of time. Imagine that.

I'm currently working on a short story which I think the JREF Forum would find interesting, since I'm explicitly writing it to illustrate the importance of rationality in a gentle, accessible way. My ideal audience is actually believers. I want this story to be a private conversation between that reader and his rational mind, his critical conscience, so that the story itself guides him to the realization that he has stopped thinking for himself and has given himself over to woo without that realization embarrassing him, because I think ridicule is counterproductive. I'll keep you all updated on the status of the story and my efforts to get it published.

[Phil]

There are a lot of writers here, including myself. I have been a professional writer for almost 20 years, both in the technical field and the creative field.

I started a group for creative writers through this forum a couple of years ago, but it disbanded. Recently, however, someone tried to revive it, and I believe they are doing well, though I'm not participating so I don't know for sure.

If you're interested, do a search on writers group.

[tkingdoll]

I am a professional writer for about 60% of my working day. The other 40% is devoted to my other business services.

I also write bits of fiction but don't really get the time as much as I'd like.

There is a JREF writer's group, PM Imaginal Disc for more info.

[Apathia]

I only claim to be a storyteller, something like imitation peanut butter. I write to kkep busy and sane while I'm drifting in the sargasso sea of unemployment.

[Pope130]

Gumboot,

I'm a strikingly unsuccesful fiction writer, but have done fairly well in technical writing. I enjoy writing science fiction and Sherlock Holmes pastische, but no one seems to enjoy reading it.
Technical writing is much less fun, and more work, but at least there's a market for it. While in the Air Force I wrote or revised T.O.s, Check Lists, after action reports, accident and mishap reports, plans and proposals, RFPs, technical appreciations and histories. Interesting material to work with. The down side was that, since the product would be used in operations, it all had to be completely verified, and as clear as possible. The process of verification takes a lot of the creativity out of the writing. The upside is seeing a real world operation go out using doctrine and procedure you helped create.

Robert Klaus

[athon]

Depending on how you classify 'writer', I sometimes subscribe to the title. I've been paid for stuff I've written, have a few chapters in some books out there, and have published the odd article along the way. Nothing massive, but enough to keep me eagre.

Science fiction, fantasy and science non-fiction are the main fields.

Athon

[infornography]

I have written, but I wouldn't consider myself a writer. It is largely a hobby that I don't get around to very often. It is something I would like to do more often but rarely have the inspiration and the time simultaneously.

I enjoy modern day or near future science fiction. Far flung sci fi isn't my thing, neither really is fantasy. The last piece that I wrote was a 9 chapter novella covering the backstory of one of my characters in a video game. I felt I owed it to the concept to flesh it out fully and came out satisfied with the results.

I also wrote a short story about people pretending to be angels in order to straighten out criminals so to speak using advanced technology to simulate miracles. Sadly that story got lost due to a format and reinstall and all of my hard copies were nowhere to be seen.

Nothing else of any real consequence unfortunately.

[David Swidler]

I earn a few bucks with technical writing, and until a few months ago I did grant writing for a non-profit organization. On and off, I do a fair bit of translation (Hebrew->English, mostly), and that demands some competence as a writer.

Mostly I hope that the novel I started writing eight years ago will write itself, as it did the first three pages. That's still where it stands. One of these days I should probably develop a plot.

[gumboot]

I'm currently working on a short story which I think the JREF Forum would find interesting, since I'm explicitly writing it to illustrate the importance of rationality in a gentle, accessible way. My ideal audience is actually believers.


The idea of this work sounds really interesting... and leads to a question.

Do you find that your work often relates to this sort of "sceptical thinking" such as this website promotes?

I am just curious as in threads concerning film likes/dislikes I seem to see a very strong relationship between sceptical thinking and the sorts of films people enjoy (and I guess I would assume other storytelling formats as well).

-Andrew

[gumboot]

Technical writing is much less fun, and more work, but at least there's a market for it.


I can sympathise. For a while my father had the job of leading a "Training Design" team for the New Zealand Air Force. For about three years we heard endless accounts of the trouble they had in making the training documentation "PC" (they had great problems with producing a non-gender specific name for members of the Air Force, to be comparable with the Army's "soldier" and Navy's "sailor". (this team had to completely redesign every single training course for the entire Air Force and rewrite every single training-based document).

-Andrew

[gumboot]

Depending on how you classify 'writer'

"Someone who writes" usually qualifies as far as I am concerned. :)

Of course there are always the qualifiers "good writer" and "professional writer"

-Andrew

[Cynric]

There are a lot of writers here, including myself. I have been a professional writer for almost 20 years, both in the technical field and the creative field.

I started a group for creative writers through this forum a couple of years ago, but it disbanded. Recently, however, someone tried to revive it, and I believe they are doing well, though I'm not participating so I don't know for sure.

If you're interested, do a search on writers group.

I'm another hobby writer, and joined the JREF writers group that kicked off a few months ago. Sadly, interest seems to have dried up :( - but I would encourage gumboot to PM ImaginalDisc (the non-leader of the group) to register. Might inject some more life into the group...

[American]

Just curious if there are any writers, be that as a hobby, profession or "semi-professional" (want it to be professional but not quite there yet) :)

Perhaps you meant "famous" writers? Celebs need to limit their exposure, both for privacy and to project an illusion of authority.

That's probably why Randi doesn't participate in posting here, because then he'd be just a regular guy, too easy to take out of context, etc..

[Pope130]

I can sympathise. For a while my father had the job of leading a "Training Design" team for the New Zealand Air Force. For about three years we heard endless accounts of the trouble they had in making the training documentation "PC" (they had great problems with producing a non-gender specific name for members of the Air Force, to be comparable with the Army's "soldier" and Navy's "sailor". (this team had to completely redesign every single training course for the entire Air Force and rewrite every single training-based document).

-Andrew
Gumboot,
Greetings to your father. We went through the same thing in the USAF. After several years struggling with trying to find a different title for "Airman" they gave up. We did have to go through and change all references to "he, him, his" to "he/she, him/her, his/hers", then had to deal with complaints about why "he" was first. In defence of Air Force women I would point out that most of the complaints came from outside the service. Most of the women who were in seemed more interested in doing their own jobs well. I'd also note that the farther from an office, and the closer to the pointy end, the less of this sort of complaint you hear.

Robert Klaus

"If it was easy they'd get civilians to do it."

[rustypouch]

At Rebecca Bradley's house, she was joking about being a B-list sci-fi author, as she has several published books, but none were very successful commercially.

[Snide]

Jocko writes ad copy I believe. I used to write commercials while doubling as a radio announcer.

[Dragonrock]

I have about 40 different stories all running around in my head. But the few times I've tried writting them I discovered that they all suck so I leave them in my head where they won't injure anyone.

[ImaginalDisc]

Yeah, about that JREF Writer's group. . .We organized about a month and a half ago, and people were posting furiously, but it seems not too many folks check it much. Myself included as I'm taking three different writing courses this summer. If you're interested, send me a tell and perhaps you too can herd cats into posting.

[KelvinG]

I've written a couple of feature length screenplays and 5 short length scripts.
I was close to getting one of the shorts produced a couple of years ago but couldn't get funding. And decided I didnt want to spend 20 grand or so of my own money to do it right.

[KelvinG]

I have about 40 different stories all running around in my head. But the few times I've tried writting them I discovered that they all suck so I leave them in my head where they won't injure anyone.

I suspect you are being too critical of yourself. If you have 40 or so ideas in your head, I can guarantee you that at least a few of them have potential.

I recommend plowing through and getting one done and you might be pleasantly surprised.
Or, it might suck, but at least you tried!

[cgordon]

Professional writer/editor/designer since '85 or '86 or so. Sadly, more of a management geek these days ... however, when I retire, I'll get back to the fun stuff.

[Dragonrock]

Or, it might suck, but at least you tried!

I think that needs to be my motto.

[Polaris]

Just curious if there are any writers, be that as a hobby, profession or "semi-professional" (want it to be professional but not quite there yet) :)

I fit into the "semi-professional" status I suppose, areas of writing being theatre, film, and the "fantasy" genre of novels.

-Andrew

Semi-professional screenwriter. I still cling to the hope that intelligent films can be written that have mass-market appeal.

[antihippy]

I've got bits and bobs that I would be willing to share with a writing group: poetry, essays, short stories and the like...

Before I start PMing people (and it can be annoying to get randomn PMs) - anyone know for sure whether there is an active group here rather than vague hints?

[tkingdoll]

I've got bits and bobs that I would be willing to share with a writing group: poetry, essays, short stories and the like...

Before I start PMing people (and it can be annoying to get randomn PMs) - anyone know for sure whether there is an active group here rather than vague hints?

There really is an active group, there were two fiction submissions to it very recently.

[antihippy]

Thanks tkingdoll I'll PM the necessary people.

[Jorghnassen]

I'm the greatest writer of yaoi furries Harry Potter fanfics there is!

[ImaginalDisc]

I'm the greatest writer of yaoi furries Harry Potter fanfics there is!
Did you retire from Spock/Kirk slash?

ETA: If anyone can't find the writer's group, this may help: http://groups.google.com/group/JREF-Writers

You'll need a working email to join, and I promise to check it several times a day to authorize any new joiners.

[Mariah]

Yes, I'm a published (traditionally published, i.e. by a publisher who assumed all costs and pays a royality twice a year) writer. My first was a book of short stories on supernatural themes, which are (of course) fiction, and it was the public's ridiculous insistence that ghost stories must be "true" that prompted me to write Randi. He put my letter in the commentary and some further commentary appeared on the forum. I responded to it, and that's how I came to the skeptical community, of which I consider myself a member. My second book is a novel, Where the Woodbine Twines, recently out. In both I see the need most people have to believe in afterlife as an adaptative mechanism, and in what I'm writing now and in the future, I continue to look at that aspect of who we are from a naturalistic point of view.

I am now involved in science education projects and in encouraging anyone who wants to write to consider writing nonfiction that accurately describes what mainstream science teaches us, with clarity and eloquence. This is one of the few areas in publishing that is somewhat open, and I believe anyone posting on this forum would agree, we desperately need books like that.

My experience promoting the books mentioned above gave me real-time feedback on how far we have to go in this area. My now and future books will be nonfiction books that acknowledge the place of fantasy and mythology but celebrate what we know is real. The real beats the fantasy hands down.

Getting a book traditionally published is very difficult, but you all know that already. What most people don't know is how hard it is to get it noticed after it is published and to keep it in print. So, I believe it is very important for writers to know what they are wanting to get out of the experience. I think writing about science and nature, doing it accurately and beautifully, bringing an art to science is the worthiest goal of all. But I'm prejudiced in that way. ---Sherry Austin

[Jonathan Hamilton]

About three weeks ago, I mentioned I was working on a story about the danger of belief. I've finished it and submitted it for publication. Once I get notice of its acceptance or rejection, I'll post another update, hopefully one telling you which issue of which publication to look for it in.

[gumboot]

Perhaps you meant "famous" writers?


No, not really. I just meant any writers. Writing books or whatever.

-Andrew

[gumboot]

Gumboot,
Greetings to your father. We went through the same thing in the USAF. After several years struggling with trying to find a different title for "Airman" they gave up. We did have to go through and change all references to "he, him, his" to "he/she, him/her, his/hers", then had to deal with complaints about why "he" was first. In defence of Air Force women I would point out that most of the complaints came from outside the service.



Yes that's the funniest thing... these are all internal documents. They had to change them to make them PC so no one was offended by them. Yet all the women in the Air Force thought the whole thing was just silly.

My Dad's favourite bit was when they had to make policy about personnel getting pregnant be "non-gender specific" :confused: :confused: :confused:

-Andrew

[gumboot]

I suspect you are being too critical of yourself. If you have 40 or so ideas in your head, I can guarantee you that at least a few of them have potential.



I'll second that. I suspect very few films or books that you consider to be "brilliant" were very good on first draft.

I find writing to be very organic... things constantly change, and you constantly refine. My work changes drastically between drafts. First draft is just an idea blurt. It's from then on that the real writing starts. :)

-Andrew

[gumboot]

Semi-professional screenwriter. I still cling to the hope that intelligent films can be written that have mass-market appeal.


Have faith. I try to keep it too. :)

I think they can have more appeal than anyone realises. Or more specifically, they have more appeal than the suits with the money realise. So they change the intelligent films and make them crap.

Stoopid suits. :(

-Andrew

[gumboot]

Yes, I'm a published (traditionally published, i.e. by a publisher who assumed all costs and pays a royality twice a year) writer.

Congratulations. Even getting considered by a publisher is no mean feat! (And it sounds a lot harder in the US than it is where I am).




My first was a book of short stories on supernatural themes, which are (of course) fiction, and it was the public's ridiculous insistence that ghost stories must be "true" that prompted me to write Randi.

This was probably the line I wanted to go down when I first started this thread.

I have noticed that even tastes and reception of films seems to be affected by the skeptical nature of the people here. So I was wondering if people write on similar themes and what have you.

It seemed everyone did, and at first I found this rather discouraging as I myself write fairly mainstream fantasy.

But then I thought about it a bit more, and really I don't. I write fantasy, certainly, but from the beginning I have tried to anchor my work to a degree of reality. I try to give solid logical scientific explanations for everything that is going on (even if the character's attribute it to some magical explanation).

Do most of the writers here tend to write in a way that reflects skepticism of the paranormal etc...?

-Andrew

[gumboot]

About three weeks ago, I mentioned I was working on a story about the danger of belief. I've finished it and submitted it for publication. Once I get notice of its acceptance or rejection, I'll post another update, hopefully one telling you which issue of which publication to look for it in.


Well done on finishing!

(man it feels good when you finish something!!!)

Look forward to hearing more.

-Andrew

[Mariah]

My email has been down for several days so I missed getting your posts in reply to my email. Have any of you read the young adult novel GODLESS by Pete Hautman? By all means do.

About the fantasy/reality thing in fiction. Although my main bent is encouraging the writing of nonfiction in an evocative way--if any of you would like to know more about this, please let me know and I'll tell you what I know about this. There is tremendous opportunity in it--I don't want to discourage anyone from writing fantasy. I've been involved in science education, as I believe I posted earlier, and of the scientists and to-be scientists I am getting to know, the majority enjoy fantasy. I'm talking real scientists here, too. Most of us seem to need fantasy, even Randi has said it and has declared himself a Harry Potter fan. So, even though there are more wonders in the real world than any of us have time to explore and process, we may still have the need for the sense of wonder you can only get in fantasy literature. In my own case, I discovered the obvious--that human nature is as much part of nature as anything else and what we do with our knowledge of our mortality, i.e., invent gods and ghosts, is part of that nature and worthy of note.

Carry on! And let me know if I can answer any questions.

[Bellatrix]

I am a... well I'm more of a wanna be writer I guess. I have book that I wrote a few years ago, I'm just now getting around to fixing it the way that I want it to be, now my best friends are editing for me (my best friend is an actual editor, lucky stroke for me) and hopefuly someone will want it when it's finished. My big dream make enough money from the book and my godawful job at J Crew to open my own resturant, and maybe write the other book that is still in random files all on my computer.

[Cynric]

I have noticed that even tastes and reception of films seems to be affected by the skeptical nature of the people here. So I was wondering if people write on similar themes and what have you.

It seemed everyone did, and at first I found this rather discouraging as I myself write fairly mainstream fantasy.

But then I thought about it a bit more, and really I don't. I write fantasy, certainly, but from the beginning I have tried to anchor my work to a degree of reality. I try to give solid logical scientific explanations for everything that is going on (even if the character's attribute it to some magical explanation).

Do most of the writers here tend to write in a way that reflects skepticism of the paranormal etc...?
-Andrew

I have had a similar experience. Always loved fantasy/sci-fi as a reader (although with catholic tastes for other genres too), and when I started writing I went for epic fantasy. The more I wrote, however, the more I tried to rationalize the magic in my secondary world - and to be frank that never really works out too well. I then tried to leave things ambiguous, such that the characters' interpretation would decide whether it was "magic" or not, but that didn't fly either. I finished the novel, but am not happy with it. Since then I've started on a new one that is historical and science based (I'm a biochemist by trade). Much as I love fantasy, I can't seem to write it very well.

[ImaginalDisc]

I have had a similar experience. Always loved fantasy/sci-fi as a reader (although with catholic tastes for other genres too), and when I started writing I went for epic fantasy. The more I wrote, however, the more I tried to rationalize the magic in my secondary world - and to be frank that never really works out too well. I then tried to leave things ambiguous, such that the characters' interpretation would decide whether it was "magic" or not, but that didn't fly either. I finished the novel, but am not happy with it. Since then I've started on a new one that is historical and science based (I'm a biochemist by trade). Much as I love fantasy, I can't seem to write it very well.
I think there's a certain amount of handwaving that accompanies the process of writing any fiction. It's just particularly noticable in fantasy writing. We often don't know boy loves girl, or by what amazing contrivance old man gets killed before young man's eyes, but that sort of unexplained event doesn't strain credibility and our suspension of disbelief as say, "Where did these freaking Hobbits come from?" I run into the problem of wanting to explain everything in my writting all the time. It drives me bonkers.

[Piscivore]

I run into the problem of wanting to explain everything in my writting all the time. It drives me bonkers.

Tell me about it. I ended up cutting out almost 10k words explaining how my sex robot worked. :)

[ImaginalDisc]

Tell me about it. I ended up cutting out almost 10k words explaining how my sex robot worked. :)
Actually, you could really have gone with that. You could even turn each new feature into the centerpiece of a themed vignette. Not that that'd be kinky or anything. . . ;)

[Apollyon]

/raises hand

Like many others here, I also work as a technical writer and have been at it for almost 20 years. For the last few years I've been working for Disney's Imagineering group creating preventative maintenance documentation for their attractions like Mission: Space and Soarin'. Currently I'm finishing up on Expedition Everest. As far as technical writing jobs go it's the best I've ever had. Even then, it's still droll, staid, and boring technical writing. So, like so many of my compatriots, I write all day and subsequently drink myself into oblivion every evening dreaming of that great novel I will write someday if I could only come up with a fresh plot and generate the motivation to actually put it down on paper.

[gumboot]

I then tried to leave things ambiguous, such that the characters' interpretation would decide whether it was "magic" or not, but that didn't fly either.


I know what you mean. :)

I came up with a sort of "parallel universes" solution that was more sci-fi than fantasy. This felt good and right, and separated it from woo woo magic. For a while.

And then that started to slip away. Now I'm probably just going to drop it all together. The "magic" that is seens is all during the early years of the protagonist's life, so I can probably write it off as distorted memories or what ever.

Meanwhile the more die-hard fantasy fans won't be completely miffed that there's no magic at all.

-Andrew

[Cynric]

I know what you mean. :)

I came up with a sort of "parallel universes" solution that was more sci-fi than fantasy. This felt good and right, and separated it from woo woo magic. For a while.

And then that started to slip away. Now I'm probably just going to drop it all together. The "magic" that is seens is all during the early years of the protagonist's life, so I can probably write it off as distorted memories or what ever.

Meanwhile the more die-hard fantasy fans won't be completely miffed that there's no magic at all.

-Andrew

I made my "magic" into a sort of earth energy thing. You know, like leylines.

Don't groan.

It wasn't a complete write off, and I spent quite a while trying to make sense of how some individuals could interact with it, while others couldn't; made some monstrous beasts immune to the stuff (hence giving my "wizards" a bit of a challenge); made a whole religion up around the worship of the earth etc., but I just couldn't stomach it. It was just hand-waving. In the end, the group of proto-scientist characters cracked the mysteries of the energy by deductive reasoning, and quickly outpaced the wizards in terms of skill.
But, for all my valient efforts, it ended up as an unhappy mishmash of science and woo.

If I ever finish the book and sell it, of course, I reserve the right to withdraw all of the above. ;)

[Cynric]

I think there's a certain amount of handwaving that accompanies the process of writing any fiction. It's just particularly noticable in fantasy writing. We often don't know boy loves girl, or by what amazing contrivance old man gets killed before young man's eyes, but that sort of unexplained event doesn't strain credibility and our suspension of disbelief as say, "Where did these freaking Hobbits come from?" I run into the problem of wanting to explain everything in my writting all the time. It drives me bonkers.

Yep, me too.
Excessive description of detail was a problem for me at the start too (I really should tell the reader exactly what fabric the protagonist's tunic is made from, or they might get the wrong mental image). I cringe when I re-read some of my early stuff, which I hope is a sign of getting a little better...

[Jabberwock]

Semi-pro, I freelance, writing mainly non-fiction filler type articles or editing someone else's work. It's fun. I learn a lot of trivia and occasionally I get to travel. I couldn't live on it (which is why I have a day job), but it pays for the occasional computer componant, video game or night out.

[Maenoon]

I've been a pro since 1985. Started out as a newspaper journalist, moved into corporate communications for a couple of years (shudder), then had kids and gave up full-time writing. However, I do manage to keep busy, having had an audiobook to my name while also freelancing as a copy editor.

I'm writing two nonfiction books right now, but they're not of a skeptical nature. My satire, on the other hand, is extremely skeptical, but I don't try to sell it. There's not much of a market for satire. I just write it because it makes me laugh.

When my kids hit their teens, I'm going back into the newspaper biz.

[Mariah]

Do most of the writers here tend to write in a way that reflects skepticism of the paranormal etc...?

-Andrew[/quote]

In my first book, I did not, though I declared my skepticism in the introduction. In my second book, I did. I kept referring to "the need to believe."

I hope most of you who want to be writers (of books) are aware of how much of it is retail. Sitting in bookstores and malls hawking your books, watching people go by, is a large part of the writing life, as is public speaking. It is much harder to get a book sustained notice than it is to get it traditionally (publisher assumes all costs and you get a royalty check) published. Also, you get less than one dollar off of the sale of a trade paperback (large 6X9 format) and less than two off of a hardcover. In my case, the royality checks come only twice a year. Many books never sell 5,000 copies before going out of print. In fact, for most books, sales of 5,000 copies, over several years is a lot. So, don't plan to quit your job and be sure you actually enjoy the process of writing.

[Brown]

I have written quite a bit, and have had some of my work published.

Here's a link (http://www.skepticalcommunity.com/phpbb2/viewtopic.php?t=1905) to my short story, "THE LOYALTY TICKETS." This story is written for presentation as a graphic novel. If there are any artists out there who would be willing to take the time to illustrate this story, I would like to hear from you.

Many of my stories are humorous. I am rather proud of a short story I composed perhaps a dozen years ago, about a family (father, mother, two kids) that takes a vacation to Mars. It is a typical vacation story (kids fighting over who gets to sit next to the window on the spacecraft, kids asking "Are we there yet?") but told in a context of a space journey that is totally accurate from a scientific viewpoint. There are some zero-gravity adventures, and it turns out that the attractions on Mars are a bit of a disappointment (Mars, it turns out, consists mostly of tourist traps; and all of the souvenirs are way overpriced and were made on Earth anyway). And when the family returns to Earth, they find that their luggage accidentally got sent to Venus.

[rebecca]

I make my living as a professional writer. It's okay, I guess, so long as you like words and whatnot.

[Mariah]

I make my living as a professional writer. It's okay, I guess, so long as you like words and whatnot.


Do you do lots of promotion for your books?

[rebecca]

Do you do lots of promotion for your books?

Not really, but only because I've never written any books. Amazing how much promotion I do anyway . . .

[Loss Leader]

Vaguely semi-pro. My published stuff is all poems, theater reviews and Oscar watches. I've workshopped a couple plays. I have a sci-fi/legal book that I finished years ago but I have no idea how to go about getting somebody to even read it let alone publish the thing.

[Mariah]

Not really, but only because I've never written any books. Amazing how much promotion I do anyway . . .


I congratulate on the excellent work you're doing. You are reaching more people than you likely would with a book. Things are really changing fast in the book department. Promotion is getting harder. Do you feel you are reaching a lot of people? I truly admire your work; I have for quite some time, and would love to hear more of your thoughts on how it is going for you.

[kc440_]

I am completing my first novel. It's an odd story. I have ideas for 2 or 3 future ones. The most important thing I found is to join a writer's workshop. You can find these get-togethers in libraries or church buildings. A local newspaper usually advertises them. Reading to other people, who have watched me grow, validates my existence as a writer. Before, you're just a person with a fledgling hobby.

I would like to get published. A lot of writers I know publish themselves through I Universe and Publish America. To me it's publish on demand and I would rather submit to a literary agent or a big publisher. My writer friends say it's very hard to get published in the regular sense. But I could only see self-publishing a non-fiction book.

It seems today like the whole world is writing. I have a blog and so does everyone else evidently. Another thing a writer should contemplate. Go to a library and look at all the books they have. If the authors of those books achieved success, so can you.

kc440

[rebecca]

I congratulate on the excellent work you're doing. You are reaching more people than you likely would with a book. Things are really changing fast in the book department. Promotion is getting harder. Do you feel you are reaching a lot of people? I truly admire your work; I have for quite some time, and would love to hear more of your thoughts on how it is going for you.

Thanks, Mariah! I do know that I reach a good amount of people - one of the benefits of things like online magazines and blogs are that you can clearly see how large your audience is and get immediate feedback. However, I am hoping to expand further in the very near future. The only major hurdle is my day job, which is also working as a writer, only people pay me to do it so it has to come first.

Speaking of, I should probably do some of that right now. Well, maybe in a few minutes. Damn forums!