Z is for Zero

I got nothing.

Congrats to everyone who finished the A-Z Challenge. It's been a fun journey and I've met so many wonderful people. I'll admit the last few letters were a struggle. I'm ready to get back to my regular schedule of posting three days a week. Plus I'm looking forward to having more time to write again. Yay!

Would I do it again? Absolutely!

Well done to Arlee Bird, the founder of the challenge and to the hosts:

Arlee Bird at Tossing It Out
Jeffrey Beesler at World of the Scribe
Alex J. Cavanaugh at Alex J. Cavanaugh
Jen Daiker at Unedited
Candace Ganger at The Misadventures in Candyland
Karen J Gowen at Coming Down the Mountain
Talli Roland at Talli Roland
Stephen Tremp at Breakthrough Blogs

You guys rock!

Whether you took part in the challenge or not, what did you enjoy most about A-Z April?

Yikes and Other Swear Words

Swearing is so common these days that we hardly notice anymore. It’s in our homes (the colourful words coming from my neighbour’s place is proof enough of that), it’s in the school yards, it’s in the office, it’s in our movies and tv shows, and it’s in our books.

Does it have to be? No.

Stephen King justifies his use of cussing in his novels by claiming it’s a realistic trait for the type of characters he writes. That’s fair enough. However, I won’t write about those kinds of characters.

Sure, many teenagers use expletives like punctuation. It might be ‘realistic’ to write them that way, but I choose not to. Just because everyone swears, doesn’t make it right. Because I write for young adults, I feel I have a certain responsibility towards them. I don’t like to hear the f-bomb on young tongues so I won’t encourage it by writing it. Even if I wrote for adults, I still wouldn’t use those rough, raw words. The most I’ll use are words such as yikes (well, maybe not but it was the only Y word I could think of), crikies, darn.

I came across a problem when I started writing my High Seas fantasy adventure. My Main Character grows up on a ship full of rough sailors. Of course they swore, but how did I write that into the book without using the words we know today? The advantage of writing fantasy and science fiction is that we can make up words. For example, Battlestar Galactica used frak, the Firefly universe used pigeon Chinese I think.

What are your thoughts on swearing in writing? If you also have issues, what do you do to get around it?

Note: This post is part of the A-Z Challenge. To learn more about the challenge click the image on my sidebar.

5 Ways to Gain the X Factor in Writing

Ever notice how some writers seem to have a talent that stands above the rest? We love their novels, their characters have a special something that make them likable and interesting, and their stories stay with us for a long time after we’ve read them. These writers have the x-factor. So, how do we gain our own x-factor?

Is it something we either have or we don’t? Can we learn the x-factor? I say yes, it can be learned, but it might come more easily to some than others. Below I’ve listed some basic ways to gain that elusive x-factor:

1. Read a lot. Read, read, and keep reading, and don’t forget to be analytical while you read. Work out what it is you like about the stories as well as what you don’t like.

2. Write a lot. You won’t find the x-factor if you don’t practise writing. It’s as simple as that.

3. Voice. Find your voice and develop it until it’s yours and yours alone. This might take some time and a lot of experimenting, but it’s worth it in the end.

4. Learn the craft. Oddly enough this might be the most neglected of all the elements that lead to the x-factor, and yet this is one of the most crucial. Sure, anyone can write. Do you want to be thrown into the ‘anyone’ class, or do you want to shine above the rest? Then, learn the craft.

5. Passion. Remember your passion for the story despite the number of revisions or rejections. Passion shows through our words.

Can you think of other ways to gain the x-factor? Who are the writers you think have the x-factor?

Note: This post is part of the A-Z Challenge. To learn more about the challenge click the image on my sidebar.

Photo: I had no idea what image to use for the x-factor, so I chose a pic of Melbourne at night. What can I say? I'm a sucker for pretty lights.

Wonderful News

I had a different ‘W’ post lined up for today, but I wanted to share some fantastic news. Carol Riggs of Artsicarol Ramblings has signed with agent Kelly Sonnack of the Andrea Brown Literary Agency!

CONGRATULATIONS CAROL!

It couldn’t have happened to a more worthy writer.

Please pop on over to Carol’s blog to share the joy.


Note: This post is part of the A-Z Challenge. To learn more about the challenge click the image on my sidebar.

V is for Very

Very is a word that could very much be eliminated from our vocabulary without a ripple of consequence. If you remove the bolded verys in this post, you’ll see what I mean.

Very is very superficial and makes writing very weak. Rather than thinking of a stronger word, a lazy writer will settle for very to gain emphasis. For example: ‘he ran very fast’ could be changed to ‘he bolted’.

Very is a word I want to wage a war against. So, my advice is, get in the habit of finding the unneeded verys and delete them.

Are there any other words you try to avoid?

Note: This post is part of the A-Z Challenge. To learn more about the challenge click the image on my sidebar.

Writers Unite

Writing in isolation is something we have to do – because it’s hard work; because of the focus needed; because it’s part of the craft. However, we must return to the world of the living again—

To be inspired

To be encouraged

To be refuelled

To help others

To learn from others

To live fulfilled lives.

Where do we gain our best support, our best source of fulfilment? Who best understands our creative minds? Who gives us the support we need?

Our families

Our friends

Other writers

Although our family and friends are precious, they may not always understand the writer in us, so this post is in honour of the much needed, sometimes neglected, pylons of strength: the writing community.

Writers Unite. Don’t underestimate the value of writing friends, critique partners, writing groups, writerly shoulders to cry on, creative cheer squads.

Here’s to YOU.

Thank you.

What do you love most about the writing community?

Note: This post is part of the A-Z Challenge. To learn more about the challenge click the image on my sidebar.

T is for a Terrific Easter

Wishing everyone a Terrific and safe Easter.

With the Easter long weekend here, I don't have as much time for comments or blog visits. I will visit everyone's blog, but it might take me some extra time.

In the meantime, happy writing, don't eat too much chocolate, and God bless.

Note: This post is part of the A-Z Challenge. To learn more about the challenge click the image on my sidebar.

Update: The finalists have been announced for the Best Australian Blogs Award 2011. If you're curious, the finalists are listed here. I’m still part of the People’s Choice Award. If you haven’t already, please vote for my blog here. It is listed under W.I.P It: A Writer’s Journey -- Lynda Young.

How to Wield the Power of the Syllable

Syllables are units of speech sound. They create the rhythm of words through changing tones and stresses. They are the musical notes.

As a writer, it’s important to understand the influence syllables have on words. The more syllables a word carries, the more complex the word becomes and this will impact the rhythm. For example: ‘Acknowledgement’ is not considered a ‘big word’ in terms of the percentage of the population knowing its meaning. It is, however, a complex word because it has four syllables. Words with many syllables will slow down the pace of our prose.

If we choose a word with many syllables over a word with few, then another result is often an emphasis on that word, especially if the majority of our prose is made up of simple words. For example: small (1 syllable), tiny (2 syllables), minuscule (3 syllables), infinitesimal (6 syllables – gasp). ‘Infinitesimal’ has a greater emphasis than small and is stronger than ‘very small’. As demonstrated, using syllables in this way will also lessen the temptation to use adverbs.

The emphasis is made even greater when we place a complex word in amongst simple words and vice versa. We should, of course, ask ourselves, ‘Do I want that emphasis?’

Part of the beauty of rhythms is their variance. It’s good to mix up the syllable count to gain flow to our text.

When choosing words, do you think about their syllable count? What are your thoughts about the more complex words? How often do you read your manuscripts aloud to hear the rhythms?

Note: This post is part of the A-Z Challenge. To learn more about the challenge click the image on my sidebar.

Reminder: I’ve entered my blog into the People’s Choice Award as part of the Sydney Writers’ Centre Best Australian Blogs Award 2011. If you haven’t already, please vote for my blog here. It is listed under W.I.P It: A Writer’s Journey -- Lynda Young.

How to Know when to Break the Rules

First and foremost, to know when to break the rules of writing we must first learn the rules of writing. If the thought of all that grammatical gobbledegook makes your brain leak out of your ears, get over it and learn it anyway. You want to be a skilled writer, don’t you?

Secondly, we have to be sure to break a rule for the right reason. If we break it out of ignorance, laziness, or the elusive search for cool, then we should think again. There’s no point breaking a rule for the sake of it, or because it’s all the rage. There has to be a valid reason. Below I’ve listed a few possible reasons to break the rules:

For Clarity
The writing rules of grammar and punctuation are put into place to clarify meaning. Without them sentences often become ambiguous. For example: ‘Let’s eat Dezmond.’ Without a comma before Dezmond, that sentence means we want to eat the poor guy. Of course, if we gain more clarity by breaking a rule, then we can break it.

For Emphasis
A broken rule will often stand out in text and emphasise a point we might want to make. Be careful, however. Overuse of broken rules will quickly lose any impact we hoped to achieve.

For the Rhythm
For the sake of the music of our prose, it’s good to break a few rules. For example: A series of fractured sentences create a clipped, sharp rhythm which can add a certain agitated vibe to the prose.

For the Art
When I worked in a bookshop I had so many returns on one particular book because the readers misunderstood the artistic opening. The book started after twelve blank pages and, on the thirteenth, the first word was a lower case ‘and’. People thought the book had been misprinted. The author took a risk. Personally I thought it was genius.

Which rules do you like to break? Which rules do you break too often?

Note: This post is part of the A-Z Challenge. To learn more about the challenge click the image on my sidebar.

Reminder: I’ve entered my blog into the People’s Choice Award as part of the Sydney Writers’ Centre Best Australian Blogs Award 2011. If you haven’t already, please vote for my blog here. It is listed under W.I.P It: A Writer’s Journey -- Lynda Young.

Query Mistakes

I’m not going to pretend I’m a master of query letter writing. I have sent out a number of queries in my time. I’ve had short stories published but I suspect it was due to the story rather than my letters. I look back at some of my early queries and I cringe at the mistakes I made.

Once I started a query with, ‘To whom it may concern’. Yes, really.

Failing to read the publisher’s guidelines, I sent out the full manuscript of my 130K epic fantasy... after the 2nd draft. The formatting was all wrong too. Insert face palm.

I was young and clueless back then. I wasn’t a member of any associations or writer’s groups to steer me in the right direction and I thought the internet was something geeks did in the basements of their mother’s homes. Mystery shrouded the publishing industry.

Thank goodness things have changed. There is a plethora of resources on the net and in print on how to write a strong query.

Elana Johnson has written a book, From the Query to the Call. You can get your FREE copy here.

Rachelle Gardner posted a great article recently on 13 ways to screw up your query.

Query Shark goes through weak queries and explains how to improve them

What are some of your query mistakes you’re willing to share? Do you know of other helpful query resources?


Note: This post is part of the A-Z Challenge. To learn more about the challenge click the image on my sidebar.

Thanks: A heart-felt thanks to Melissa Bradley for the Versatile Blogger Award. And to Victoria Dixon for the Sisterhood Award.

Reminder: Please vote for my blog here. I’ve entered it into the bonus People’s Choice Award as part of the Sydney Writers’ Centre Best Australian Blogs Award 2011. My blog is listed under W.I.P It: A Writer’s Journey -- Lynda Young.

Platform Building

What is a platform?
There has been much weeping and gnashing of teeth since the days when writers just wrote. We can no longer stay in our artistic dream dimensions to weave genius into our words. We have to step out from our creative cocoons and tell the world we have arrived. So, what is a platform? It’s all the relationships we form and all the things we do to announce our presence to the world.

Why do we need it?
We need a platform because the hard reality is we must prove to publishers our work will sell. We need to show them we have the know-how, the connections, and the motivation and drive to do what it takes to sell a book. And we need to do it before we start to query. The sooner the better because it takes time to develop relationships.

How do we build it?
There are many ways to build a platform. A popular, effective, and inexpensive way is to plunge into social media. Blogging, Facebook, Twitter, and forums are all free, fun, and informative. The writing community is a generous one, full of wonderful people willing to help each other out. The main thing we need to remember, though, is that social media is about the relationships. This means the benefits of the connections should run both ways. Give back. Be generous. Offer people help, advice, encouragement. If you promote other people’s work as much as you promote your own, then it will become a rewarding experience.

Another way of building relationships and finding connections is to get involved. Join your local writing group, attend writer’s conferences, offer to teach writing or take part in speaking engagements. I’ll be attending the Sydney Writer’s Festival in May. Send me an email if you’ll be in the area for it.

How have you built your platform? When did you start? How important do you think it is?


Note: This post is part of the A-Z Challenge. To learn more about the challenge click the image on my sidebar.

Reminder: Please vote for my blog here. I’ve entered it into the bonus People’s Choice Award as part of the Sydney Writers’ Centre Best Australian Blogs Award 2011. My blog is listed under W.I.P It: A Writer’s Journey -- Lynda Young.

O is for Office: a Place to Write

One of the joys of writing is the freedom we’re blessed with while we work. We don’t have to wear a dress code, we can keep our own hours, and we can write anywhere we desire. The problem with freedom is it can lull us into a false sense of ease which in turn can open us to distractions and laziness.

In a semi-recent post, Clarissa Draper wrote about the importance of getting dressed for work to write, rather than staying in our comfy pyjamas. By getting dressed, we tell ourselves it’s time to write.

I’d like to take it a step further and suggest it’s also important to find a special place to write—a place we can shut the door to cut out distractions, a place we can spread out and call our own, a place we can stick up pictures and notes to inspire. This not only helps us focus, it also helps the mind-frame of our families. When we are in our writing space, they will know not to disturb us.

Do you have such a space? Where is your favourite place to write?


Note: This post is part of the A-Z Challenge. To learn more about the challenge click the image on my sidebar.

A special thanks to Rachna at Rachna’s Scriptorium for the Sunshine and sisterhood awards. Also to Kiernan at Fire in Mine Ears for the Versatile Blogger Award. Please visit their blogs.

Chris Kelworth at Kelworth Files is also starting up a 'Critiquing Crusaders' program, where writers can find other writers to exchange critiques with or form critiquing circles. Check it out here.

VOTE for Me: As some of you already know I’ve been nominated for the Sydney Writer’s Centre Best Australian Blogs 2011. I’ve also entered into the bonus People’s Choice Award. Please click here to vote. My blog is listed under W.I.P It: A Writer’s Journey -- Lynda Young.

Notoriety and Nominations

Notoriety
Have you noticed how many of the popular books in today’s market aren’t masterpieces of literary fiction? Have you wondered how these writers have gained notoriety despite their heavy use of passive sentences, clichés, and inconsistencies? It’s because they know how to write fantastic stories.

We could grumble over their success, we could whine about their popularity, but it wouldn’t get us anywhere. Instead we could study how to construct a good story. We could remind ourselves the importance of research: there’s no point slaving over a novel if our story lacks originality or a place in the market. And then we could do one better than those popular authors – we could learn to avoid those clichés, passive sentences and other cringe-inducing elements.

What do you think makes up a good story?

Nominations
As some of you have already noticed, my blog has been nominated for the Best Australian Blog 2011 Award. There are apparently 570 of us nominated. The Sydney Writer’s Centre is offering $7500 worth of prizes. One of the awards is the People’s Choice Award and that’s where you come in.

Please, if you think my blog is worthy

VOTE for me HERE

My blog is listed on the third page under ‘W’:

W.I.P. It: A Writer’s Journey – Lynda Young

I really appreciate your time and your vote. The winner will be announced on Friday 6 May 2011.


Note: This post is part of the A-Z Challenge. To learn more about the challenge click the image on my sidebar.

The Muse Myth.

Many moons ago my muse malfunctioned. Her malicious mind made fun of my meandering musings. She mistakenly thought me mediocre in my moment of independence. No longer a mentor, she meddled with all her mischievous might. She misinformed me by mentioning I lacked merit without her.

‘Minds become mazes without Muses to mediate,’ she murmured.

My mood migrated to melancholy until I realised she’d manoeuvred me into madness. The maintenance of a miraculous Muse is not mandatory to write. We can manufacture marvellous manifestations of memory, magic, or the mundane through meticulous method.

Muses are a myth.

Note: my Muse now means for me to meet my maker

Do you rely on a Muse to give you ideas for writing? Do you have arguments with your Muse?


Note: This post was written as a bit of fun for the A-Z Challenge. To learn more about the challenge click the image on my sidebar.

Learning to Let Go

There comes a time in the editing phase when we have to let go and say, ‘It is done’. This is often one of the more difficult things to do. Many of us writers believe we can’t truly finish a piece because we are always learning, always evolving, always improving. It takes practise to learn, patience to keep editing, and then it takes courage to let go and send the work out into the big, wide, scary world.

So, how do we know when a piece is ready? Potential is there if:

• We’ve slaved over the manuscript for more than a mere three drafts.
• We’ve line edited and copy edited and gone slightly insane through the yearning for perfection.
• We’ve had the manuscript critiqued by fellow writers who know more than a smattering about the industry.
• We’ve considered the opinions of beta readers. Note: at least one of your readers should reflect the market you’ve aimed your novel toward. For example, if you write for young adults, then you should get a young adult to read it.
• And, if we have the money, then our manuscript has a greater chance of reaching its full potential if we pay for a professional edit.

Do you have trouble letting go? Are there any stages you’re tempted to leave out?


Note: This post is part of the A-Z Challenge. To learn more about the challenge click the image on my sidebar.

The Hard Knocks of Writing

As writers we get knocked down when we’re rejected, knocked over when we’re accepted, and knocked off when we show our work to the public. We even get knocked by friends and family who don’t understand why we pursue this career. Getting knocked around through all the ups and downs is part of the hard knocks of writing.

Even though these knocks are part of the deal, they don’t have to knock us out. We can gain strength and grow as writers. We can change our minds and decide they aren’t knocks after all.


When we’re knocked down through rejection, we can pick ourselves up and learn from the experience. We can revisit our manuscripts, revise our query, and renew our mind-frame. A ‘no’ from one agent isn’t necessarily a ‘no’ from another.

When our work is ‘knocked off’ either through blatant piracy or plagiarism, rather than only feeling mortified, stupefied, and horrified, we can also feel ratified. It’s a great affirmation if someone thinks our work is good enough to steal.

When we’re knocked by friends and family who don’t understand the reasons we write, it’s a great opportunity to practise patience and share with them our joy. Their doubts could also fuel our motivation to succeed.

So, when we’re knocked around because of the highs and lows, we can know it’s normal, that it’s all part of the joyous insanity of writing, and we can remember that we wouldn’t change it for anything.

Have you felt knocked around lately?

Note: This post is part of the A-Z Challenge. 

J is for the Jam Donuts of Writing

Some writing is like a jam donut: too sugary and full of unneeded fat. And yet, it’s often addictive. Once you have one, you want more and you think you’re satisfied. This kind of writing can often be fun to read (as long as you can hush your inner editor), just be careful: Read too many and you could pick up bad habits.

Some writing is like aged wine. It takes time to develop and has amazing depth of flavour which lingers long after it’s been consumed. This is the kind of writing we need to revisit, the kind that will inspire us and push us to do better.

What would you liken your writing to? What's your favourite style of writing you like to read?


Pic: I couldn’t bring myself to buy a jam donut because I know I would have eaten it and I’d rather chocolate as my prime fat/sugar delivery system. Instead I tried taking a picture of jam. It ended up looking like zombie brains. I settled for a close-up of sugar.


Note: This post is part of the A-Z Challenge. To learn more about the challenge click the image on my sidebar.

Industrious Inspiration

One of my favourite writing quotes is from Jack London: You can’t wait for inspiration. You have to go after it with a club.

Many established writers dread the question, ‘where do you get your inspiration from?’ That’s because it comes from anywhere and everywhere. But we can’t wait for it to strike. We have to go after it, hunt it down, seize it and make it work for us.

In fact, sometimes we have to write without inspiration.

What do you do when you aren’t ‘inspired’? How do you go after inspiration?


Pic: Trevi Fountain, Rome.

Note: This post is part of the A-Z Challenge. To learn more about the challenge click the image on my sidebar.

How Writers Keep their Heads from Imploding

There’s so much we have to think about when we write a novel. Is the story right for the market? Does it fit in the genre? Do the characters have believable motivations? Are they likeable and interesting? Is there enough conflict in the story? Is the balance right between internal and external conflict? Am I showing rather than telling? Do the scenes flow smoothly? Does the book have a strong enough hook? Does the dialogue move the story forward? Are the setting and scenes vivid enough? Have I used correct grammar and punctuation? Does the story need tightening? Argh!

So, How do we keep our Heads from imploding? Rather than allowing the enormity of our undertaking to drown us, we have to take a deep breath, remember our passion, and take it one step at a time.

How do you stay sane?


Note: This post is part of the A-Z Challenge. To learn more about the challenge click the A-Z image on my sidebar.

The Grisly Truth about Writer’s Girth

The grisly truth of writing is that it’s a sedentary pastime. We sit for hours pouring our heart and soul into words. We sustain ourselves through quick snacks and write some more. And, when we aren’t writing, we’re reading. Also a sedentary pastime.

So, how do we guard against a growing girth? We schedule in, as part of our daily routine, at least 30 minutes of exercise. Yes, that’s a whole 30 minutes a day when we can’t write and we can’t read and we can’t create. Gasp. But you know what? It’s the best thing we can do for ourselves. We come back refreshed and revitalised.

I’ve taken to listening to podcast short stories while I either walk or spend my allotted time on the exercise bike. What do you do to guard against the girth?


Note: This post is part of the A-Z Challenge. To learn more about the challenge click the image on my sidebar.

Fictional Flights of Fancy Made Fantastic

All writers are world builders in some form, but fantasy and science fiction writers are world builders extraordinaire. They have to conjure the fantastic out of nothing, make the unbelievable believable. How do they do that?

They base their worlds on our own and tweak. They can tweak a lot or a little. They offer enough familiar elements so the readers can imagine the worlds for themselves. The writer needs to offer enough detail to make the worlds believable, intriguing, inviting, scary, or all of the above.

Not everything has to be explained, but everything does have to follow certain rules – such as the rule of consequence. If the created world breaks a rule then the writer has to justify it somehow to make it believable.

What are some worlds you like to visit? What is it about make-believe worlds you like best?


Note: I could write a book on worldbuilding alone, but I’m keeping these posts short for the A-Z Challenge. To learn more about the challenge click the image on my sidebar.

Pic: Festival of Lights, Hong Kong.

Education: The Secret to Success

Many make the mistake of thinking that anyone can write. Well, yes, anyone can write, but not everyone can write well. The key to success as a writer is education.

We need to learn proper sentence structure. We need to learn the markets and the industry. We need to learn grammar and punctuation. We need to build our vocabulary. We need to know when and when not to break the rules. We need to attend workshops and conferences. We need to read copious amounts of books on the craft as well as read mountains of fiction. And we need to continue to learn throughout our careers.

What are you currently doing to improve your writing? What's your favourite book on writing?

Note: This post is part of the A-Z Challenge. I will be posting Monday-Saturday during April corresponding to the letters of the alphabet.

Detailing Description

When we create worlds, lives, and events, we want to share with the reader details of our settings, characters, and action. We want our readers to sink themselves into our stories and ‘see’ for themselves. At the same time, we don’t want to drown them in endless specific detail.

The trick is finding the right balance of detail so we engage our readers rather than bore them. We need to include details that say something about our characters, details that include sensory cues such as sound, smell, taste, touch as well as sight.

Find the distinct details—the details that add atmosphere, tone, voice. The rest the reader can fill in.

What are some details you like to include in your descriptions?

Note: This post is part of the A-Z Challenge. I will be posting Monday-Saturday during April corresponding to the letters of the alphabet.

Consistency

When we write it’s important to maintain consistency though our project. For example, if a writer has a writing style that is simplistic then she shouldn’t use a flowery description of a character or place. It might sound good, it might shine like a pearl in the writer’s eyes, but it has to go because it is inconsistent to the way the rest of the story is written.

Anything different to the majority of the prose will stand out and jolt the reader from the story—no matter how well written.

Do you have difficulty deleting fantastic gems of prose that don’t fit in with the rest of your writing style for a piece?

Note: This post is part of the A-Z Challenge. I will be posting Monday-Saturday during April corresponding to the letters of the alphabet.

Blessed or Cursed?

The creative mind is a strange one. I will carry us into fearful and wonderful places. We flirt with insanity as we work and rework our creations. So, are we Blessed or cursed?

I say it’s all in our attitude. If we say we are cursed then we begin to act that way. If, however, we say we are blessed then the crazy times don’t weigh us down so much. We can get through the edits, we can conquer the queries, and surmount the rejections.

Do you feel blessed or cursed right now? Why?

Note: This post is part of the A-Z Challenge. I will be posting Monday-Saturday during April corresponding to the letters of the alphabet.

Apply Thyself

As part of the A-Z challenge this month I will post Monday to Saturday with short tips for writing (corresponding to the letter of the alphabet).

Today’s tip: a writer has to Apply herself to be able to run the distance required for successful publication – whether it’s traditional publication or self-publication. It doesn’t just happen. It’s not a matter of luck. It requires hard work and dedication to the craft of writing.

What do you do to apply yourself?