Write On!

So you want to be a writer? Prepare to have your ego pummeled, your patience tested, your confidence shattered.

Robert Crais received 116 rejections before he published his first short story. This is the same guy who became a TV writer for such acclaimed shows as “Hill Street Blues” and then started writing mystery novels that have gone as high as No. 5 on the New York Times best-seller list. This is the same guy who now is a millionaire, thanks to his Elvis Cole private detective books. Crais was the keynote speaker at the Pikes Peak Writers Conference in late April, doling out tips and inspiration to a banquet room full of aspiring authors.

Some might become as successful as Crais. Some might never see their words go beyond their home printers. But whether it’s a children’s book or a racy romance, most people have stories they’d like to tell. “I’m amazed at how many people want to write a book,” said Tara Janzen, a romance author and one of the instructors at the conference. “They are lawyers and architects, and they come to listen to me, who hasn’t been out of the house in 20 years.”

Here’s some advice from agents, editors and authors to writers harboring the dream of getting published. (Admit it, you’re one of them, aren’t you?)

DO’S

- Write what you love.

- Persevere. A lot of people have talent; fewer people have perseverance.

- Write a knockout query letter to agents. Set the hook, highlight the originality of the story, be professional and consider using the same tone as you used in your manuscript.

- Write a great synopsis of your manuscript.

- Join a community of writers.

- Learn the business side of writing.

- Be prepared to market your product. “It’s often a shock to new writers how much work you have to do to promote your book,” author Beth Groundwater said.

- Keep writing new stuff instead of polishing one novel for years and years.

- Steal the techniques of other media for your storytelling and marketing. Can you mimic a filmmaker’s camera angles in the way you set scenes? Can you create a Web site that broadens the world of your story?

- Keep your butt glued to the chair.

- Grab readers by the throat; don’t let go.

DON’TS

- Don’t be nasty to people who reject you. Publishing is a small world and your reputation will get around.

- Don’t write to get rich. First-time authors get advance of roughly $5,000, according to industry sources. “You have to love it enough to do it without getting paid,” said Denver-area author Todd Fahnestock.

- Don’t concern yourself too much with the questions “What are they buying?” and “What’s hot?”

- Don’t make the beginning-author’s mistake that your words are engraved in stone. Your words aren’t precious.

THE WRITERS TRICKS OF THE TRADE

BETH GROUNDWATER

(bethgroundwater.com)

Who is she? Her first book, “A Real Basket Case,” was published in March. It has received positive reviews, and sales are brisk for a first-time author. Specialty: Mystery Success story: Groundwater, of Colorado Springs, retired in 1999 from a career as a software engineer to write. She’s written four novel-length manuscripts (of which “A Real Basket Case” was her second). “Even though I made a lot more money as a software engineer, this is so much more rewarding because it’s something I created. It’s such a rush.”

Tips:

1. Study the craft and business of writing. You need to write a good novel and then know how to sell fiction with promotional material, e-mail lists and bookstore signings. “What has helped me get off to a good start was learning both sides before I was published,” she said. Getting your book published is only the first step.

2. Join local writing groups and genre-writing organizations (such as romance or mystery). “You’ve got to be willing to show people your work and take critique,” she said.

3. Build a writing resume. Show people you’re serious by publishing short stories, entering writing contests and writing several manuscripts. “Lay down a foundation to show ‘I’m in it for the long haul.’ Don’t spend 10 years polishing your

first novel — write a second, third and fourth.”

She’s collected more than 200 rejection letters.

KRISTIN NELSON

(nelsonagency.com and her blog at pubrants.blogspot.com)

Who is she? Head of Nelson Literary Agency, Denver. Specialty: Women’s fiction, romance, sci-fi, young adult and nonfiction

Tips:

1. Understand that writing is a business. Learn all you can about that business (visit Publishers-Marketplace.com, and industry Web sites and blogs, read acknowledgments in books, go to conferences).

2. Join writers groups “so you don’t have to be alone in your room.”

3. Write a fabulous query letter to send to agents (see her blog for lots of pointers). It is the “most important tool you have to get yourself in front of somebody. Great query letters have a high-concept hook that really highlights the originality of the story.” Find one sentence that drives the story — “boil it all the way down.”

Her assistant reads 80 query letters a day and passes on the best 20 to her. You must stand out.

4. Be professional and courteous in your writing career, just as you would in any other line of work. Nice and polite, but assertive and confident.

CONTEST

So, you still want to be a writer? One place to start is the 2008 Paul Gillette Writing Contest of the Pikes Peak Writers. Winning the contest has launched a number of successful writing careers, including Margaret Coel and Pam McCutcheon.

Details: There are a variety of categories. You must submit a synopsis and the first 15 pages of a manuscript. Contest is open from Sept. 1 to Nov. 1. For more information on how to enter, or other activities for writers, go to www.ppwc.net.