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'i Can Write A Book In A Weekend,' And Five Other Annoying Things Beginners Say
Since every literate person can write, most people think they can be writers. Interestingly enough, we all can speak quite well, but few of us would deem ourselves speakers. However, this prevalent belief encourages beginners to say the oddest things that make professional writers want to cringe (or preferably strangle them with a thin wire). If you find yourself saying the following, please stop:
1. I can write a book in a weekend.
Im certain you can mutilate a couple hundred pages with words; however, that doesnt mean that anyone will want to read them. Yes, I know there are prolific writers who can write a book in two weeks (Voltaire supposedly wrote Candide in three days). Usually they are professionals who have mastered a style and understand the craft of writing. Have you?
2. I can write those trashy books and make tons of money.
Bwahaha! I love this one.
Many new writers see a 200-page romance or mystery and scoff. These things are so easy, they tell themselves. I can write this in a day. I doubt it, but maybe you can. If you do, will anyone pay you to read it? That is the difference. Those who sell in these genres usually have a passion for the craft that translates onto the page. Hate romance? Think mysteries are ridiculous? Believe sci-fi is for loonies? Then dont write it, editors and especially readers can tell.
3. If this crap gets published, I bet I could get a contract in six months.
Define crap. One mans trash is another mans treasure. Dont be arrogant and think the world should concede to your every taste (thats what critics are for). Every writer is not meant for every reader. Just because you dont like a book doesnt mean its not good. Its just not good for you. I dont like okra; however, that doesnt mean I need to start an anti-okra campaign. Diversity is what makes life interesting.
Okay, okay youre not talking about taste. Youre talking about horrible, poorly written books. Yes, I know there are some truly bad books out there. Heres the hard truth. Some bad books (poor grammar, poor structure and poor execution of a plot simpler than a fairy tale) get published. I have plenty of dents in my wall from an effective toss. However, these books are probably placement books to fill a hole in a publishing list. Usually, these books sink and their authors are rarely heard from again.
Unfortunately, the existence of these books convinces people that getting their book published should be a breeze. Sure, and every person with a dream to sing will become the next International Idol. Is it fair? No. Do they care? No.
4. I can write better than that.
If you can, shut up and write. Nobody wants to hear about it. Its as annoying as listening to someone explain what they would do if they ruled the worldwell you dont. Next!
5. Id write, if I had more time.
Youll never get more time; steal it. Thats what the rest of us do.
6. I have the perfect book already written in my head.
Sure, and I have the secrets to the universe taped to the bottom of my shoe. People who say this remind me of the naked emperor walking down the street trying to convince his kingdom that hes clothed. Youre fooling no one except yourself and you look ridiculous.
Writing is work. Writers make it look effortless because thats our job (imagine the disappointment you would feel seeing a dancer straining to leap off the ground).
I encourage anyone with a desire and passion to write fiction to do so. Write with meaning; write with truth and skill. Write because you must, not as a path to riches and stardom. It may come; it may not.
The real writers (beginner and pro) dont talk about it; they do it. Be one of those.
BONUS : I Hate Writing Articles - Isn't There An Easier Way?!
Owning, running and maintaining an internet based business or a site needs articles. Plain and simple, every who has a site knows this. Even those who dont have sites but are frequent internet users knows this as well. Articles quench the thirst for information and knowledge of the people. Plus, the articles provides many other benefits for the site.
The benefits that articles provide are putting a site high in the ranking in search results of keywords and keyword phrases that pertains or are relevant to his or her site. They also provide attraction to website visitors when they are appreciated and is linked to your site from another site or newsletter. Articles provide for the increase of the confidence and trust levels of customers to your site and company.
Many articles are also beneficial to both company and its traffic. When the readers like the articles, they would tell more of their friends, family and peers and recommend your site to them, providing for a larger volume of traffic. You get bigger sales if your traffic trusts and believes in you. Your product or services would be much easier to sell when they know you know what you are doing and talking about.
So ok, we have established that articles are very important to a site and to business. Articles are crucial and to keep ahead in the game, a site must have an article, it is imperative. There is one dilemma though, not many people like writing articles.
Many website owners would rather spend their time on something else, and unless youre a big time company, you dont have the necessary resources to use on a pool of article writers. Plagiarism or copying of other articles is frowned upon and could easily get you into trouble, worst case scenario; a hefty fine and jail time.
So what are the other options?
Well, for starters if you hate writing articles and you cant afford to hire people to write for you then dont. Get free articles. The first place to look at for free articles is the public domain. Here you wont have problems with copyright infringement and the following penalties and fines if you get caught for plagiarism.
Public domain articles are articles freely given to the public for public use. You can do whatever you want with it. You can place it on your site, name it as yours, put it in a newsletter its you decision. Always remember though that you will have to choose articles that is very relevant to your site.
The downside to public domain articles is that since it is free for everybody, many of your competitors may have access to them as well. Since every site needs to be original and unique even though you have the same niche, this could be a predicament. You may also have to edit them a bit to place more keywords and keyword phrases to make them better.
Another way to get free articles is to allow other sites which has the same subject or topic as yours to submit articles to your site. This would be only to augment your existing content or else all your articles would be leading to other sites since these articles would have resource boxes with them that could link or direct the readers to their site. Thats why it is important to have your own articles; you cold use them to link your site to other sites as well.
But, to truly feel the impact of what a good article to you, go for original ones. There are many article writers who do part time and freelance article writing jobs that charges only minimal fees. You can get good articles that have all the keywords and keyword phrases you need and people are looking for.
The investment you made for these articles would be worthwhile because you could use them for all the benefits you could offer. You hold copyrights to them and you will be able to use them anyway you want. As your articles help you in building your business and your site, you will have more articles to write and maybe then you wont be having second thoughts about articles.