Learn to Write Like a Pro
BY CATERINA CHRISTAKOS
Many writers write for the
experience. Others dream of having a number one best seller.
Both are wonderful reasons for writing. What many fail to
realize is that these two do not have to be mutually
exclusive. With a little research, you can enjoy writing
incredible stories and see to it that they generate a profit.
The first thing that is needed
is a business like attitude toward the process. From day one
you must:
1. Know your niche.
Research which books are
popular in your genre. Go to bookstores and start reading
popular authors in your field. Also pick up writing magazines
and see what publishers are looking for today.
2. Know your audience.
If you are writing for
children, for example, know the developmental stage that a
child reading your book needs to be and cater to them.
Ex. A five year old would not
be a good candidate for a chapter book.
You can also talk to your
future readers and find out what really sparks their interest.
Ex. If you are a sci-fi
writer, you can go into sci-fi chat rooms and ask what books
are the most popular and why. Also ask what they feel is
missing in this field. Do they want a return to some of the
earlier styles of sci-fi books are an even more futuristic
approach?
3. Write from this
knowledge.
Once you know what your
audience wants, create your story and characters around that
theme. Give them what they want, what they crave and you have
a better chance of creating a book that they and publishers
will love.
4. Pre-market.
If you are self-publishing,
you can give away a free chapter of your book on hundreds of
sites to spark an interest and get feedback. You can also send
out press releases right before your book is about to be
releases. Prweb.com is a great place to send out free press
releases.
Those are just a few examples
of pre-marketing. There are hundreds, if not thousands, of
other free ways to gather interest and get feed back.
The more information that you
have before you write, before you market and before you go to
press, will determine your chances of creating an enjoyable
and profitable book. Remember you can be creative and
profitable. Just start from a place of knowledge and the rest
will follow.
Caterina Christakos is the
author of
How to Write a Children's Book in 30 Days or Less.
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