Article Title: Sharing some Writing Tips - "A Simple Recipe for Writing Success" (Updated) Author Name: Craig Lock Line Space: 65 characters Category (key words): Writing, Creative Writing, Writing Hints/Tips, Writing Course Web Sites: http://kompuwiz.com/kompustore and http://www.craiglock.com/downloads/cwcourse.html

Publishing Guidelines: We hope that the following article (which is an early lesson from our online writing course) may be informative and helpful to your e-zine readers, or on your web site. If it helps others "out there" in any way, then we're happy. This article (as with all my articles) may be freely published, electronically or in print. If you do not want to receive my articles as a member of an article list, you will have to unsubscribe from them, as I do not have your email address. If a lot of you do that, I'll take the hint and rather not send out my articles! Thanks. "We share what we know, so that others may grow."

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Sharing Some Writing Tips - "A Simple Recipe* for Writing Success"

* That's a metaphor, btw

"It's easy being a writer... the hardest part is figuring how to make a living, whilst one does so."

"I got sick and tired of waiting for writing success... so just carried on without it."

"Writing to me is like gasoline to an automobile, without it I would be immobilized." Carla J. Curtis, The Inspirational Literary Entrepreneur Author of Grip the Rope: Prayers for Single Mothers http://www.trccommunications.com

Here is a short article in the form of a bit of advice for aspiring writers, which I hope may be helpful.

My advice for aspiring writers* is as follows...

* What's the definition of an aspiring writer? A waiter!

(Don't worry, I was one too... though I spilt more than was left in the glass; so no wonder I just had to carry on writing!

* Write something every day. Regularilty and practice makes "purrfect".

* "Remember that getting published takes a great deal of commitment and hard work.

* Learn patience. Things move slowly in the world of publishing - usually far longer than initial promises.

* Treat writing as your career; so take it seriously.

* Learn everything you can about the writing "business" and the craft of writing creatively.

* Be open to criticism from your peers. Still far easier to criticicise than create, eh? Incidentally, there has never been a monument built honouring a critic!

* Listen to your heart, your intuition, the "core of your being" (sounds "real airy-fairy stuff" that, Craig!). Write what you love - not what the MARKET wants (unless you are desperate for purely financial rewards from your writing). That's not a "true writer", I believe!

* Join a writers' association and mix with other strange "arty-farty, airy-fairy intellectual types".

* "Write as you talk yourself." - Maeve Binchy.

* Write as honestly as you can. "I write because something inside myself, inner and unconscious forces me to." That is the first compulsion. The second is one of ethical and moral duty. I feel responsible to tell stories that inspire readers to consider more deeply who they are."

Writers help people to see the world differently- from the writer's perspective. Make your story real. Be totally honest to the story that is being told. My "journey" of my various books is my life journey.

Always remember,

* Writing is hard (and sustained) work - a writer has to work hard every day, even when one does not feel inspired. So I make sure I'm inspired at 7am each day.

* Small ideas become bigger, when you leave to your creative subconscious mind. Seek inspiration (from within and or externally from God, "the Ultimate Source") regularly.

* Revise your work constantly; but one has to "call a halt" sometime.

* Strive for perfection, but accept excellence in your writing.

* Believe in yourself and in the quality of your work. You have something unique to offer the world: the gift of sharing.

Remember that dreams can come true in your writing... and in your life.

Happy writing and good luck

Craig Lock (Eagle Productions) http://www.craiglock.com

"The world would have you agree with its dismal dream of limitation. But the light would have you soar like the eagle of your sacred visions." - Alan Cohen

Craig's novel Angolan Dawn is available at http://www.kompuwiz.com/kompustore (click on SoulfulBooks)

A family struggles to survive through the bitter war torn strife of Angola. A father makes the decision to travel far from home to work in the gold mines of South Africa only to have a terrible accident occur which leaves him unable to return home. Writing Course: http://www.craiglock.com/downloads/cwcourse.html (the "original" online creative writing course)

P.S: Don't worry about the world ending today... it's already tomorrow in "little" scenic and tranquil New Zealand THIS ARTICLE MAY BE FREELY PUBLISHED