Free Information About Writing and Publishing! HOW DABBLER WRITERS BECOME PROFESSIONALS By: Craig Lock They do it regularly: with self discipline and dedication. I may not be one of the best writers around, but I've got dedication and self discipline (which comes from motivation, because I love what I do - although it's very hard work). I try to have fun, whilst I try to earn a living. Top writers WRITE AND REWRITE - many times over, so the words flow better each time. They aim for perfection - very, very hard to achieve; although one can always improve. Every time I go through a manuscript, I change things (like repetitive words, incorrect grammar and punctuation) to try to get the words to flow better... but one has to draw a halt somewhere, otherwise my books would never get published. * HOW TO AVOID COMMON MISTAKES What do you think are the most common mistakes of new writers? Take a coffee break while you do this short assignment. My immediate thoughts: repetitive words incorrect grammar incorrect punctuation using too many words The art of good writing, I believe lies in brevity, so omit all unnecessary words. It makes the sentence flow more rhythmically, more swiftly. I find reading a very cerebral (impressive word) activity, that demands a lot of concentration- so make a conscious effort to write in a style that's easy to read . Try to make your reading so easy on the eye, that a child can enjoy (and appreciate) your writing style. Now you have all the tools and the talent there should not be anything to stop you indulging in your creative pursuits. I hope this information may be helpful to you in your creative writing "If a man has talent and cannot use it, he has failed. If he has a talent and uses only half of it, he has partly failed. If he has a talent and learns somehow to use the whole of it, he has gloriously succeeded and has a satisfaction and a triumph few men ever know." -- Thomas Wolfe "Everyone has a talent. What is rare is the courage to follow the talent to the dark place where it leads." -- Erica Jong About the Author Craig Lock is an author of numerous books and the creator of the ORIGINAL online creative writing course. http://www.nzenterprise.com/writer/creative.html