I would like to become a professional writer of fiction, any advice?

I seem to have a natural aptitude, extensive vocabulary and I'm not lacking in the inspiration department. I need ideas of how to get started!I would like to become a professional writer of fiction, any advice?
There is a LOT to learn before you are ready to write a manuscript and shop it around. So many people here write answers that simplify the issue. There is much to learn before you get to that stage. And shopping a manuscript is not as simple as most kids here think it is.





First develop a thick hide - you will need it. You will face a lot of rejection. That is the nature of the beast.





Secondly,聽learn to advocate for yourself. Spend a lot of time reading about and learning about the publishing industry. You do not want to come off appearing amateur and unprofessional. The more you learn, the better your chances are.





Learn to write great query letters and a great synopsis. They are vital tools in the process.





Learn to write a great book proposal. Most writers are unaware of this step and it hurts their chances a lot. There are books out there that can help you. Or see if you can find a class on ';How to get published'; at a local college or adult ed program. The book proposal is what sells your book. It is what convinces a publisher that the book is salable. It can be the greatest novel in history, but if you cant convince a publisher that it has the potential to sell, it will be rejected.





Save up your money. Editors are another valuable tool to you. Every new writer thinks they dont need one, but you do. An editor can take your manuscript and tweak it in such a way that takes it from good to incredible.They are familiar with what publishers and agents want and they can work magic on a good manuscript. The only thing is they cost money. But it's well spent money. There has only been ONE writer in history who did not require the services of an editor. That was O Henry. Unless you think you are a writer of that caliper (and I guarantee you nobody is) you will need an editor.





READ. You cannot be a great writer unless you are a great reader. You will learn from both good and bad books. If you start reading something you hate - finish it. Then analyze what it was you hated about it. It is a great learning experience.





Brainstorm - Fill books with thoughts and ideas. Any thoughts and ideas. Marble notebooks are the best because they are sturdy. Fill one after another. Save them. You never know when you might find an idea tucked away in there that you can develop.





Observe %26amp; Listen - Become a great observer of people and a great listener. You never know when you will come across a great character for a book. Have your marble notebook handy to write down notes. The protagonist of your next book may be found while you are sitting in the food court at the mall having lunch.





Learn to outline and analyze - Outlines and character analysis is so important. That is your prep work before you ever write a word. Dont skimp on it. Really flesh out those characters before you begin.





Research - This is the most important part of your prep work. Without it, you are cheating your readers. The expression ';Write about what you know'; always applies. If you want to write about 19th century Russia, you MUST become an expert before you begin. Making stuff up or relying on the work of other authors is cheating readers. And believe me, you will get letters telling you when you are wrong.





Dream - Remember the words of Eleanor Roosevelt who said ';The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.';





Learn - Writing ability is a gift from your Creator. However, you have to hone that gift and turn it into a skill. That means learning to spell and use grammar properly. Sentence structure is extremely important. Find a teacher and tell them you wish to learn to be a writer and want extra help working on your skills. Ask them to mentor you.





That should get you started. Good luck. Pax - CI would like to become a professional writer of fiction, any advice?
If you truly believe you have the aptitude, then begin writing. Contrary to many, I would avoid ';classes'; of any kind--they tend to stilt your voice and render boring your presence. Involve yourself, instead, in some writer groups where critiquing is their purpose and pay attention to what they say in the general sense and ignore the details (unless they are obviously right).





You might want to try Critters Writers' Workshop....





http://www.critters.org/





It is an excellent and thoroughly professional group dedicated to advancing new and experienced writers in their work. Word of warning: Don't show your stuff to family and friends as this is rarely constructive or productive and never, under any circumstances, show incomplete works (WIPs -- Works in Process) to anyone but your critiquing group.





J.





http://www.jrichardjacobs.net





';The speed of the brain is inversely proportional to the speed of the mouth squared.';
Robert Heinlein's advice:





Write it.


Don't just talk/think about writing.





Finish it.


You don't need to gild the lily. If an editor likes it, they'll be happy to suggest minor changes.





Submit it.


Showing it around to people/friends that can't buy it is a waste of time.





Keep it up.


Just because your first choice won't buy it doesn't mean nobody will.
Even with an extensive vocabulary, always make sure that you have your work beta-read by somebody else before submitting it to a publisher. Even professionals make mistakes.





Develop your characters with personality quirks, flaws, and other traits to make them human and likeable. Also, make notes on all the little details of what's going on in your stories so that you can keep track of things and don't have plot holes all over the place.





Finally, be prepared to take *brutal* criticism. Editors working for publishing houses are not always nice, and some of them are actually kind of mean. Consider the criticism that is constructive and take it into account before making revisions.
There is a website called www.firstwriter.com...you can study it for free, and for less than 3 bucks you can get a membership which gives you addresses and contact info for all kinds of writers agencies, as well as what type of fiction (or non) they're looking for, and direct instructions on how to submit. Hope this helps!
right a book and send it to a publisher. Just to warn you lots of people have big vocabularies and inspiration and lots of people want to be professional writers. For example my English language professor at college. Who has a doctorate in English language and English literature and creative writing and he failed hopelessly at being a professional writer. Just don't expect to make money going into that profession.
Draw from your personal experiences! Be realistic... that makes for a better story. People like to read stories that they feel they can personally relate to.





Always spellcheck and proofread (even professionals make typos now and then).
go work on the street and get life experience then ur books will be real in a fictional way
First things first --%26gt; finish writing and edit it thoroughly


Second --%26gt; send it to a literary agent (research the agent carefully)


Third --%26gt; hope for the best and keep trying and write more
I'd love to become one too!! I suggest putting all your ideas down on writing. that's a good place to start. Also seek out a publishing company or editor. You need input and advice. Also keep on trying and never give up!! hope you do become a successful writer!!
Pick up a copy of the Writer's Market, or use the library's - it will give you guidelines for submitting what you have already written and edited.
Start with creative writing courses in school. Get yourself a copy of ';Writer's Market'; an annually updated publication listing who's buying what and how to sell to them. Write, write, write.





Good luck to you.