Never Give Up

( for the new writer)

 

 

Writing is like everything else in life, you have to start somewhere. Just get writing, whether it’s on the computer or a notepad or even the back of an envelope. My best poem was written on the back of one as I was waiting for the breakdown recovery man.

 

Do you remember when you were at school on your first day teacher asked you to write a story called ‘what I did on my holidays,’ how many of us wrote fiction or non-fiction? Looking through old schoolbooks is quite inspirational. Many stories seem to be quite interesting and certainly worth a rewrite and bringing up to date.

 

Do you have pets or children? They are all good subjects to write about and many people use dreams as a basis for a story. I write a journal when I travel as my mother did giving endless ideas for stories both fictional and non-fiction. Something as simple as a delayed flight or a disastrous hotel can have stories woven through them. Remember to acknowledge pre-published work or someone else’s ideas otherwise they’re maybe a copyright issue, this also is required with photographs and sketches. Most people do not mind you using their work if it is recognised as yours and not their’s but if you can, always check with the author. If you are quoting from a historical publication often the copyright is no longer an issue and it will state if it is in the public domain.

 

Does writing run in your family, and are you trying to follow the same path? My mother was an author and journalist and when I was starting to write for publication I tried to follow what she had done. Although I had some articles published in a similar vein it was clear to me that I was struggling and becoming frustrated when it became obvious that I needed to find my own path and ideas. Just because a relative is successful does not mean to say that you can do the same with a positive outcome.

 

After several false starts I have now found my niche in the writing world. It is unique to me and through hard work and persistence it is paying off. You can find me at www.allyourstoriesandpoems which I publish quarterly. It is a selection of stories, articles and poems from different authors. This is the third generation of magazines which has been very successful in promoting the new writer.

 

So, you can see it’s not all about writing that best seller there are other avenues to explore with your writing. So, good luck and don’t give up.

©stormgrayson