[stylist] New Writers Questions

[Chris Kuell]

Jim,

Here's my two cents.

I lost my sight 14 years ago, and about 11 years ago I decided to try my 
hand at writing (prior to that I was a chemist). I did a bit of scientific 
writing prior to blindness, but am self-taught as far as fiction and 
article/essay writing goes. My goal is to be a best-selling novelist, but 
what little money I actually make comes from selling articles, editing, 
occasionally selling a short story or placing in a contest.
I like to write in the morning, then market, research, query, etc... in the 
afternoons. I have a family, so evenings are generally dedicated to them.
There are many on-line resources, none that i use exclusively. I took a 
grammar and punctuation refresher course from Hadley, in addition to a 
creative writing course (I don't know if either of these are offered 
anymore)and I read one to three books on the craft of writing every year. 
Some are available from NLS, some I've scanned, and a couple I've had 
friends read onto tape for me. I also subscribe to The Writer, which I 
mentioned in an earlier email.
I have a journal, a simple word doc, although I don't journal regularly. 
Once or twice a year, usually inbetween writing projects, I'll take a few 
days to record my thoughts on life and its perplexities, primarily so my 
kids can someday scratch their heads and wonder about me after I'm dead.
If you only have a half-hour a day, I'd recommend you write. When you've 
written something, ask for critical feedback. During the other 23.5 hours in 
a day, I'd work on toughening up your skin and try hard to stay awake 
another half-hour or so to read. And don't just read, but study what you are 
reading so you learn from the style. Reading to improve your writing is a 
lot different than reading for pleasure.

Good luck.

chris