Prolific authors write; they don't just dream about it. A good example is Georges Simenon of Inspector Maigret fame. He writes a book quickly, at one sitting so to speak. The first draft of each chapter is written longhand in a single afternoon. The following morning he transcribes it with his typewriter, revising and rewriting as he types. The afternoon is spent writing the next chapter, but before this happens he outlines a plan for the novel.
Perhaps one should do as Charles Dickens did. Early in his life he learned shorthand as a reporter and would write many of his novels first in this manner. He also was a prolific writer, in shorthand and longhand, no typewriter or computer for him. A man of great energy and vitality, he wrote voraciously but he did many other things as well.
Anthony Trollope, another 19th century novelist was also a prolific writer who adhered to a very strict schedule for work. He invariably arose at 5:30 am and wrote until 11:00 whereupon he breakfasted and spend the remainder of the day in personal activity. As a result, he was able to write 47 novels and 16 books. He was methodical worker who considered writing as a trade, probably one of the reasons his books have lost esteem.
Honor? de Balzac (1799-1850) is another prolific writer of the 19th century who wrote from midnight to dawn almost every day of his life, thus turning out a million words per year. Although he was prodigious he was always poor and that might account for his abundant output.
Victor Hugo (1802-1885) like Balzac was a prolific French writer of the 19th century. He too spewed out poetry and novels at an unbelievable rate. His most famous novels are The Hunchback of Notre Dame and Les Miserables, but they are a small example of the many works that he produced at the amazing rate of over a million words a year.
If these writers-with paper, pen, and pencil-could effect the volume of writing they did, then writers today should easily do as much. Writers today have computers and word processors, with spell checkers and grammar checkers, and other aids that make the process easy and enjoyable. Probably what is lacking is the focus and vision that these writers had. Perhaps lives today are too full of computers, television, films, theater, music, and other distractions that impinge on the writer's time. Yet is possible with planning and discipline to put ideas to paper in poems, stories, novels, articles, essays, etc. Although the competition to be published probably exceeds that of writer of the 19th century and the 20th century, the way to publication is more varied and available.
Traditional publishers are being replaced by electronic publishers who now print books on demand or to order. Soon the publishing industry and booksellers will have to wake up to this new phenomenon and change the way they do business to satisfy the new prolific writers.
Charles O. Goulet has a BA in history and a BEd in English literature. Several of his novels have been published and are available at Amazon. com, Amazon. ca, Barnes and Noble and many other bookstores.
family-safe home cleaners Morton Grove ..Short Story Writing Tips:Your title is your selling tool. It's... Read More
Someone once commented that there were no new ideas to... Read More
1. Make your goals achievable.By achievable, we mean realistic and... Read More
Let's Discuss Publisher Ethics:If you are an ezine publisher or... Read More
Be careful when you write.Words you use, sentences you phrase... Read More
Every hero has a seminal insight - the apotheosis. Once... Read More
When the writing bug hits you, get out your pencil,... Read More
Having trouble finding a solution to a nagging problem? Try... Read More
Whether you're interviewing for a new job, trying to woo... Read More
What is this annoying, insidious angst that permeates my psyche?... Read More
1. SECRETS TO SUCCESS2. MAKING A POWERFUL FIRST IMPRESSION3. AVOID... Read More
Many of the most effective low-cost marketing strategies require writing.... Read More
Although he has his own website, John Grisham probably does... Read More
You are the only one who knows what being a... Read More
Since the headline is the first contact your readers have... Read More
Your struggling to sell just a few copies of your... Read More
(excerpted from the "How to Use a Journal" audio series... Read More
Authors need to write their book according to their target... Read More
Q and A.Best choice when subject is very verbal or... Read More
What does one do as a writer who loves writing... Read More
Proofreading worksheets are a great tool to help individuals open... Read More
Q. I'm staring at a blank screen with an equally... Read More
For many authors just starting out, it can be a... Read More
When I was young, I used to talk to myself.... Read More
These are some of the snapshots I carry with me:... Read More
home cleaning services Wilmette ..Boost Brain Power Through WritingHave you ever noticed what happens... Read More
FERRETING OUT WORK You keep hearing that there's work out... Read More
So you want to be a writer, except you don't... Read More
Les Edgerton writes in his book, Finding Your Voice, that... Read More
When one population in one century survived five wars, two... Read More
A well-punctuated approach letter may make the difference between acceptance... Read More
You've decided to write your very own Newsletter to promote... Read More
In most aspects of business, we will be expected to... Read More
How to Start Your Story with a BangThe purpose of... Read More
Reading through a writer's notebook or journal is like discovering... Read More
This article is to help identify which style, technique or... Read More
A few days ago, I critiqued a chapter for a... Read More
Bookcoaching clients come to me at different stages of writing... Read More
Balance your life ... Read More
Choosing the wrong words can have a poor effect on... Read More
What is a freelance grant writer? These individuals have a... Read More
Often, time is an enemy of writers. Sales seem slow... Read More
During the past few months I have received many questions... Read More
You can make a lot of money by writing and... Read More
Sailors had it for years. Great explorers had it as... Read More
In the current job market, many editorial freelancers have turned... Read More
Whether you keep a separate spiritual journal or just want... Read More
Do you have trouble getting your thoughts and ideas down... Read More
When you read a letter from someone, we are immediately... Read More
The freelance writing market is a growing market to be... Read More
Writing |