by Gordon Hamilton

Created on: February 28, 2009

Becoming an author is easy - almost anyone can do it. All it requires is that we sit down with a pen and a piece of paper, or perhaps at a personal computer, and write. Becoming a published or successful author is, unfortunately, an entirely different ball game.

The worst thing any aspiring author can do is focus upon the success which they believe they will know and the material gains they think such will generate. If great success does materialise, excellent; it should never however be the principal reason for which we write. In order to be a successful author we have to have a passion for writing, a compulsion almost to get the words down on paper and focus exclusively upon this task to the exclusion of all others until the work is completed to our and our hypothetical editor's satisfaction.

The basis of every novel is the initial idea which will come to the author from any one of an infinite variety of sources. It can come from an incidental event which he witnesses in his day to day life, it can come from a chance remark made by a friend or colleague in conversation, it can even come in the dead of night in the dissipating tendrils of a dream. What the author has to do is make sure he records the idea and subsequently develops it.

The process of beginning to write a novel involves planning and note taking. We have our initial idea but we have to greatly expand upon it before we can even consider beginning to write the novel proper. We have to construct a plot, invent and develop characters. We have to define the circumstances in which the novel will begin, what journey it will take the reader on and where the journey will end. These factors should all be considered at great length and extensive notes for us to later refer to prepared.

We need to then consider whether we require to undertake any research in to the material to be included in our novel. It is important that although it is fiction we will be writing, we ensure that our readers consider our plot, our locations and our characters believable and this may involve some digging and some note taking. It is most advisable that we perform this research before starting out.

We can then proceed with the task of writing our novel. We should know that this is likely to be an extremely lengthy process and one which will contain many obstacles for us to overcome. We will require to have determination, perseverance and tenacity in working at times when we do not feel like it if we are to complete the task. Be under no illusions that writing a novel is either quick or easy.

When we have the novel prepared, we then have to consider whether we wish to use a literary agent or approach publishers ourselves directly. I would recommend using a literary agent but it is down to the individual's preference. Purchase a copy of The Writers' and Artists' Yearbook or The Writers' Handbook to obtain details of a great many publishers and agents and take great note both of the types of material which they are seeking and how they prefer to be approached in the first instance. Ensure that you are approaching a company which deals with the type of novel you have written and that you do so in the manner in which they specify. Do not merely send off your manuscript in the hope that they will make an exception and read it as you have gone to all the bother of sending it - they will not.

By closely following these general guidelines, the prospective author stands the best chance of becoming noticed and hopefully subsequently published. Do not be disheartened by initial failure. Remember that every publisher and editor's opinion is different and just because one rejects your material, it does not necessarily follow that the next one will do likewise.

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