In my defense, I didn’t know you’d been published! The only reason I mentioned I’d published stuff is because, as you, a fellow published person know, people who haven’t been published seem to think that everything that comes out of them is absolute perfection. You and I know that’s bollocks. It’s really a lump of shit that needs to be polished until you can see the diamond inside – and that requires a hell of a lot of polishing! I wanted anyone reading it to know I was speaking as someone who knows, not someone who is a “Writer” and is trying to squish everyone else’s dreams out of jealousy. I’d rather crush their dreams because they can’t spell!

Incidentally, what do you think of a “Top Ten Hints for Writing” type list? I’ve got a few humdingers, personally:)

Heh, no yelling, I pretty much agree with that.

Except: I’ve had three articles and one story out (two in Webzines, two in paper zines). I don’t count as a published writer you know? *pouts*

As the only published writer (1 thesis, 1 paper) that I know, can I say something? (Like you’re going to stop me:)) From the people I’ve seen on various friends’ pages, it seems as though many people consider themselves “Writers” (with a capital W) and have this mystic notion about writing that the muse will hit and they will sit down and write and every word will be perfect. Not to knock posting your writing in a blog or your own web page (that has its purpose, after all), but none of these people have actually published anything. Writing is hard work. It involves sitting at a computer day after day, putting words to screen (or pen to paper if you’re like me). It involves rewrites. It involves edits. There is no mystery involved. It seems to me that most of these “Writers” think they are special because they consider themselves “Writers.” Merely sticking your two favourite males characters in bed does not a writer make. The ONLY way you will write anything of length (or publishable quality) is to put bum to seat and write. Then rewrite. The person you quoted is absolutely right. If you can’t write at least one page per day, you will not make a living as a writer. No ifs, ands, or buts.

Before you hit the reply button to yell at me, please note that I don’t include you in the afforementioned group of “Writers.”