As a writer you’re job isn’t just to write

We all know that in order to be a good writer you need to write. The question is how many words a day is a good day, or how long should I write?

• Everyone is different and there’s no magic number.

You have to find your spot and go from there. If you’re in the moment and find that the words are flowing then why would you stop? Keep going.

I try and write at least 8-10 hours a day. That’s normal for me but if you’re a single mother or father that would be impossible.

Writers have strange rituals and there is no right answer.

Everyone is different. Take whatever idea you have and run with it. Even bad ideas may have something magical in it somewhere.

The best advice I have for unpublished writers is network. Facebook is your friend.

I have been invited to take part in anthologies because someone had read my book or knows that I write splatterpunk and they think that I would be a good fit in an anthology they’re putting out.

• Always pay attention.

The reason so many stories are rejected is due to an author not paying attention to what they’re submitting too.

Don’t be afraid to step out of your comfort zone and submit to a genre you have never tried to write in.

In the last few months I have written bizarro stories, surreal stories, and the fact that I’m a horror writer made the experience that much more interesting.

As a writer you shouldn’t be afraid to challenge yourself. How else are you going to grow? You have to write, and writing outside of your genre is the perfect way to do that.

I also write reviews and beta read for other authors. I did this even before I got published and it lead to an opportunity where I was asked to write reviews for a splatterpunk website.

Those reviews got me in contact with other writers and that led to a multitude of other opportunities that just writing would have never offered. With Facebook I’m able to not only talk to other writers but I also know what publishers are taking submissions and know that I have x amount of time to finish my work in progress.

• Use Facebook to reach out to other writers.

If you’re looking to get published Facebook is the best place to branch out and see what options are available.

Just by being a fan of two genres I have become familiar with publishers and what to submit and what not to submit.

As a writer you’re job isn’t just to write.

• You need to seek out publishers and the only way to do that is by subbing stories.

The drawback is that most are only going to pay in exposure but if a publisher likes your work you have a foot in the door and have a shot at getting your work in progress noticed.

I realize that maybe this is disheartening to struggling writers but this is by far the most honest advice you will ever get.

Who knows maybe you’ll even thank me for it.

Advice For Writers – Michael Noe