Thread: What is your Biggest question on how to be a successful writer?

Hi, I have really enjoyed reading over many of the posts here since I joined. There is a lot of great information and inspiration. As I mentioned in my introduction, I’ve been on a research mission to help my wife accomplish her goal of completing her book. In the process, I’ve gathered lots of helpful info from aspiring writers, already published authors, laymen, and publishing companies. That said, I’m compiling this research into a small helpful guide to help others like me.

I want to make sure I don’t miss anything, so I’m asking for your help. Can you post or email me your biggest frustration/biggest question that you’ve had or currently have about how to become a successful writer? I’d be glad to send you a free copy for sharing your input if you’re interested. I know we’ve had a lot of questions ourselves, but I don’t want to miss any common questions others might have.

So again,

What is your biggest frustration/biggest question that you’ve had or currently have about how to become a successful writer?

Can you post or email me your biggest frustration/biggest question that you’ve had or currently have about how to become a successful writer?

I'd have to say that my biggest frustration is after working so hard and producing what I know is a great story is seeing the absolute tripe that is accepted by an agent and placed on the shelves for people to buy and read.

The biggest question would be, "How did this ever get published?"

Don't get me wrong, I'm not tooting my own horn but consider myself an voracious reader. I honestly can't make it past the flap of 98% of the books that are available these days. I just know that my story is better and more interesting.

James Patterson is always a sure bet, usually. But in the field of books aimed at men as far as action/adventure, even with a historical setting the pickings are very slim. A man looking for action/adventure is faced with a choice of Clive Cussler or Clive Cussler and his books are so predictable they are all beginning to run together.

I guess the most frustrating thing is getting an agent. I've heard that they follow trends, but if I were an agent and someone submitted another vampire story I'd probably have a psychotic episode.