My Weblog: Career Answers for Career Authors

HANK PHILLIPPI RYAN: When I think about all the things I didn’t know when I started writing fiction eleven years ago, it truly makes me laugh.

And now it makes me, well, understanding—and jealous-- when a new newbie has the courage to ask a question. At least they know enough to know what to ask.

*Do I have to finish the book to get it sold?

*How many murders do there have to be in a mystery?

*Is it okay if I used colored font?

*How many characters should there be in my book?

*How many pages in a chapter?

*Does there have to be a death on page one? Or page three?

*Does the murder have to be solved in the end?

All good questions. All things we all discuss, right?

(There are also the people who have no idea—I got an email from a writer who wanted me to “get an agent” for him.

Or the woman who asked me to “edit her first three chapters.” When I did, and gave her some input, she got angry, and told me “You just don’t get my story.”

Or the person who said--I can’t figure out how to write the end of this. Can you do it for me?)

But the real author questions, the ones that come from the focused, serious, determined people who want to write a book, want it to be good, want it to be sold—there are just so many things to figure out.

*How do I write a synopsis?

*Should I have an author page on Facebook?

*Does Twitter matter?

*Should I do a prologue?

*How do I get an agent?

When I started, I was so clueless, I wrote six chapters, and blithely sent them to two agents. I got this, I told myself.

I got letters from each of them. Rejections.

One said: You are a terrific writer, but this is the worst plot ever. The other said: This is a great story, but I am sorry to say your writing does not impress me.

Or some such. But two different, completely different, responses. Both true? Neither true? Who knows. (I do know , in looking back at that abandoned manuscript, that I had no clue about point of view. But that’s another discussion.)

Now I am so pleased to be part of another blog, a new blog, that hopes to help answer some of those questions—an so many more. And not only for newbies ,but middlebes, and oldbies, and whatever other be-ings walk the writers pathway.

With another author (the incredibly talented Laura DiSilverio) , a terrific agent, a big-time editor and a genius marketer, we’ve started Career Authors, a blog that’s designed to be a daily one stop shopping for your writing questions. Something new three times a week, and discussions (and questions answered) on Facebook, and a newsletter. With guest authors and inspiration on the weekends!

It’s fast, it’s smart, and there’s no chit-chat or timewasting. You’re a pro. Visit once a day, then get back to writing Want to hear more? Sign up here.

What questions would you love to ask? Let us know on Facebook.

The blog goes live tomorrow!

We’ll give you the answers you need from all points in the publishing spectrum. It’s for career authors. Are you with us?