Sundays for Writers

Yesterday, Patricia Anderson, Judy Emery and I joined the Guelph Write Now group at Lucie's Restaurant in south Guelph. Published author, Sarah Totton was the guest speaker.

Sarah talked about the "rules" for being a professional author. She borrowed the following suggestions from Robert A. Heinlein and Robert J. Sawyer:

• Write.
• Finish what you write.
• Send out what you write.
• Keep sending it out until it sells.
• Keep writing new work.
• Don't quit.

And she added her own rules...

• Treat it like a job, not a hobby.
• Schedule time and/or set deadlines and work to meet them.
• Learn to work independently (not to external deadlines or peer pressure).
• Always READ the market's submission guidelines.
• Always FOLLOW the submission guidelines.

Sarah also shared the following tips...

• Create a goals list. Ensure that all goals are specific and measurable. For example, "Write 100 words per day for the next month" instead of "Write more."
• Keep a progress log.
  
• Reward yourself each time you achieve one of your goals.
• Use the following free online markets: ralan and duotrope.
  

A few upcoming events and contests...

• On Wednesday, April 20, Kevin Nunn is spearheading the "Sound of Writing " at the Bookshelf Cafe. A number of writers will be reading in the EBar. Email Kevin at nunnetal@gmail.com for more details.
• The deadline for the Canadian Writers' Journal Short Fiction Contest is April 30th.
• The deadline for the Writers of the Future Contest is June 30th.

Written by Joanne Guidoccio