Happy Manic Monday,

Manic Monday: Dawn Binkley and Edward McKeown
Happy Manic Monday,


Monday is the day to share advice to unpublished and struggling writers. This Monday I wanted to share advice that Edward McKeown gave during our interview last Tuesday. It was simple, yet profound. I never thought of it quite like that before…


Editor: We have a special place for unpublished writers in our hearts, here at Hellfire Publishing. So what advice would you give to an unpublished writer?


Ed: The difference between the amateur and the professional is that the amateur gave up and went away. So true. Remember that the thing that makes you a writer is WRITING, not being published. You’re on a roll :) You have your own voice; write for those that are willing to hear and to read. That’s exactly right; it’s not about fame. It’s about telling the story, giving some freedom to all that creativity in your head. My writing has not reached astronomical proportions. I am not sure it’s even reached nominal proportions yet, LOL but I am more than satisfied with my words being out there, anywhere, than having millions in my pocket. Find a good writing group, not a therapy group (sometimes they look the same) and get criticized in a civilized manner. Be careful with writing groups, some of them are run by authors at the same level as you’re at. You want someone that has been there to give you advice. Not to mention, we are only human so sometimes petty jealousy pops up or another writer will like you and they will go on about how great you are and overlook blaring mistakes. I would never say don’t join a writers group, just be careful, because like anything else, there are good ones and bad ones. No one who uses the word “sucks” in any context is worth listening to. I won’t even go down that road; there is not enough bandwidth for my opinion on people like that. The more criticism that you expose yourself to the stronger the work will be. Yes, let me clarify how that works. You take the jumble of advice, as I did, years ago. First take the pellets of good will that you received the most, then take that and go over it, research and then go with your gut. Always consider the source, to thy own muse by true or why go through all of this? God knows it ain’t for the money or fame. That’s exactly what I was saying.


Also writers, write. Some people are in love with the idea of writing yet seldom set pen to paper. Ok, I just dated myself there…set finger to keyboard.


He’s so right here, too. Don’t let those ‘hot air’ people as I call them, discourage you. Sometimes I let them get to me. I feel like if that idiot can write, then my career doesn’t mean anything, it’s nothing special. But 9 ½ times out of 10, upon further investigation you find out that they have never written a thing.


You know how I can spot a real writer? They don’t mention being a writer at all and then quietly slip you their card at the end of the conversation. If you have written a novel, you are very humble, lol. It’s true, because sitting down to write a novel is a scary, humbling experience. And if it wasn’t, maybe you didn’t do it right.


I also leave you with this suggestion, you should want to aspire to be more like Edward, he is not only a great writer, he has it all down—technical and creativity. Any writer that comments will get a free download of the Liar of the Lesbian Love Goddess, to see what I mean. Also, he’s always polite and treats me (his publisher), his editor (Julanne) and the rest of the Hellfire staff with the utmost respect. I believe you can learn from him. But most important…the writer that is going to go places and take their work further than anyone could have ever imagined is the one that never stops learning.


Good luck to all of you, if you need any further help or advice, please feel free to contact me
dawnbinkley@gmail.com


Next week…


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