NOTE: A young writer recently asked me if it was
possible for him to get published, this one is for him.
Dear Young Writer,
You may feel that because you’re so young that your dream
of becoming a published author is as big as the Milky Way and so far out of
your reach that you’d have to cross a galaxy to achieve it. I am here to tell
you that you can hold that dream in the palm of your hand, that it is possible.
How do I know this? Because I was once you and I have met
my dream of being an author.
Don’t think about your age or the score of people also
hoping to publish their books. Instead, focus on writing and learning your
craft. Write while you wait for the bus. Write in class after you get all of
your work done. Write at home. Write before bed. Write everywhere, all the
time.
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| Image from Flickr. |
And read. Read books in the genres you enjoy the most.
Read books with the same topics as what you’re writing about. Read books about
writing. This last one is especially important, because if you study and take
notes about the craft of writing, editing and publishing, you’ll have an easier
time with all of them.
When I was young and struggling, on the cusp of
depression, I would tell myself this: “The universe would not have given me
these story ideas if I wasn’t meant to publish them.”
And I believe the same for all writers. I believe the
same for you.
So when you feel that publishing is impossible say to
yourself, “I would not have these story ideas if I wasn’t meant to publish them.”
And believe it with all your might. Feel it in the marrow of your bones.
YOU WILL BE A PUBLISHED AUTHOR.
IT IS POSSIBLE!
XOXO,
Chrys Fey
QUESTION: How old were you when you started writing?
I was twelve but I became a serious writer at seventeen.
Have a writing-related question? Leave a comment and I may turn it into a post right here!
14 comments:
I've been writing stories since I was in elementary school - and that's a long time!
@mshatch, so have I. It's a life-long dream, passion, and ambition for us. :)
This is pretty inspiring to us old writers, too. Thanks for the #WW shot in the arm.
What great advice, I hope your young writer achieves their dreams. I started out writing poetry as a teenager and always thinking that one day I would write a book. I kept going at the poetry and used writing in other areas of my life, but I didn't start writing that first book until I was in my earlier forties!
@Elias, I hadn't thought about this for older writers, but you're right. It does work in both cases. :D
@Suzanne, I hope so too. :) He has the strive and that's always a good thing. I like how your journey changed throughout your life. That is inspiring.
Oh yeah, it's very possible, especially in short form. I sold three 100-word stories a couple weeks before I turned 17 (still haven't even finished writing a novel though). I would say I started writing when I was 11. I guess you could say I started writing seriously at 15, maybe, though I still don't write nearly enough at a month shy of 18.
@Patrick, that is awesome! When I was seventeen, I was rewriting my series. At eighteen, I finally finished the first book and was sending out queries for it. I didn't publish flash fiction until I was twenty-one, I believe. And I have never sold a flash fiction piece or article. So that is a nice accomplishment! You have plenty of time to finish a novel. :)
I've been writing since I was four, since I knew how to write. My first stories were picture books. As I got older, it developed into writing novelette- and novella-length stories, and finally novel-length stories as a teenager. I've left behind a lot of unfinished stories and abandoned characters from my younger years, but I've stayed with many others, and have plans to resurrect some of my long-shelved characters.
I started making up stories when I was about 12. I didn't start writing them down until I was 26.
Being a published author has nothing to do with age. It has everything to do with writing. Just write. And strive to get better. That's all that matters.
Good advice.
I think I was about 14, but did not really get started until about 42.
Nicely said, Chrys. :)
I've been writing seriously for the past 6 years. Still learning every day.
@Carrie-Anne, my first story was a picture book at about five. :)
@Liz, nice advice. I couldn't agree more.
@Dolorah, it seems most of us start young. :)
@Ava, thanks! :D
I played around with lots of story ideas in high school, but I wouldn't say I was serious until my 30s. Yeah, guess I'm a late bloomer.
@Charity, late bloomers are fabulous! :D
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