Three questions. That's all you have to answer. Can you complete a manuscript? Will you submit it? Why don't you?

It takes a dream. That's all. And, yes, it's that simple. But are you willing to pursue that dream, to go in search of your quest through barren deserts, raging seas, and cold, mountainous regions. Is your quest important enough to travel until your legs drag from exhaustion, and your teary eyes burn from late hours? Your dream is no different than Mary Higgins Clark's, John Grisham's, James Patterson's, Stephen King's, or Toni Morrison's.
But...
But nothing.
Now take a deep breath and say, "I can do this."
Come on. Say it.
"I can do this."
Now, don't you feel better?
Follow these easy steps toward accomplishing your goal.
1. Have an idea (Get ideas from newspapers, other books, personal experiences, other people's experiences. The world is filled with ideas.)
2. Write that idea down before it leaves forever. (And it will, believe me.)
3. Examine your idea and determine where it will lead. Is it a short short story, a short story, novella, novel? What type characters will your story require to draw reader interest?
4. Determine your goal. What is the purpose of this idea? What will it ultimately relate to the reader?
5. Having problems? Create a cluster. Yes, just like you did in school. Write one word relative to your idea. For instance, "tornado." Now, begin drawing lines from that word. One line might lead to the word "panic," then a line from that word leads to "stampede," from that word to "mass," and so on. Another line from tornado might lead to "Denial," which might lead to "refusal," which leads to "stubborn," which leads to "conflict." You see. You're beginning to build a story. There will be a tornado and because of denial and refusal to heed warnings, a mass panic takes place. What will your character do? Lead the masses? Protect his family? What? Why didn't he leave? Because of stubbornness? Pride? Or to protect his house? Business? What?
6. Need inspiration? Read a short story before you get started to help those creative juices start flowing.
7. Write. Just sit down and write. It doesn't have to be perfect. Close you eyes and envision your scenes, your characters, and simply type what they're doing. Did you see his eyes crinkle up in delight? Or furrows crease her brow? What about that habit he has of chewing the side of his mouth like a cow? Or clicking her tongue when she's concentrating? And that drawl. He's got to be from Mississippi.
8. Have fun. Your characters can do what you've always wanted to do, and say what you've always wanted to say. Take advantage of fiction, and let off some of that steam.
So many stories are waiting to be created. All they need is a creator. Can you? Will you? Why don't you?

Richelle Putnam
copyright 2001 by Richelle Putnam

Wonderful Websites for Writers:


http://www.absolutewrite.com/marketplace.htm

http://www.writersdigest.com/

http://www.writersdigest.com/

http://www.thewritingparent.com

http://www.thewritingparent.com

http://www.chopeclark.com/

http://www.woodenhorsepub.com/

http://www.anthologiesonline.com/

http://www.thewriteukmarket.com/

http://www.chickensoup.com/

http://www.godallowsuturns.com/

http://www.coffeehouseforwriters.com

Visit and surf these websites. They are loaded with information, advice, and markets. Some also have newsletters. Subscribe to them as well.

Questions? Email me and I'll try to answer them. If I can't, I'll steer you to a resource that can.

Good luck and may the force be with you!!!!

Richelle Putnam
www.authorsden.com/richellemputnam