Practice, Practice, Practice
It isn’t enough to merely love reading and writing to become a good story teller and a published author. Writers, like all creatives have to continuously hone their skill and craft. Practice may not make perfect, but it’ll at least get you closer to a good product: a readable, well told and intriguing story which people will want to read and recommend to others.
When I first set out to write fiction seriously I took another author’s advice: I joined Romance Writers of America (www.rwa.org). It was one of t
he best things I ever did. As an active member it helped me enormously to learn about the craft and techniques and other nuances of writing fiction. In addition to having a growing membership of over 10,000, RWA organizes annual conferences. For those who prefer to learn as I did, it sells CDs on a myriad of topics of seminars, which I found invaluable.
RWA has many chapters across North America.
At my local chapter, Toronto Romance Writers (TRW) I met fellow writers who have become some of my closest inspirational friends, whom I admire. The saying “when the student is ready, the teacher appears” is so apt for me. I was lucky to attract and befriend the positive minded, passionate writers and critique partners, without whom I’d most probably feel very alone and out of my depth.
Of course, the readers who love the craft and sheer magic of enjoying stories keep me motivated too. They are my ultimate bosses, after all.
Earlier on in my mid-thirties I also benefited greatly from becoming a member of Toastmasters, an organization that helps people hone their public speaking skills. I’ve connected with friendly, fun-loving, enthusiastic fellow public speakers, so I’ll feel less isolated during the long, long hours of toiling at the computer all on my ownsome! Not! I love dreaming up new characters and putting them into romantic situations and sigh or laugh at their predicaments and antics.
If you have anything you’d like to share about writing and romance books, I’d love to hear from you. Contact@GloriaSilk.com
Great Reading and Great Inspirations to you.
Gloria Silk