Write Away!

If you're reading this, you either like to write, want to write...or you're bored.

Sometimes your fingers will fly over the keyboard, your thoughts or imagination overflowing. Within a half-hour you've typed 5,000 words of an essay or a short story. Or you've composed thirty lines of poetry. That's great!

But wait. Don't think what you've just written is gold. Put it aside for a day or so. Then reread it out loud. You'll see where it needs work. If you have trouble with that, get someone versed in grammar and spelling and who likes to read. Ideally someone who isn't your best friend or a relative.

Always back up your work, either on a USB drive or cd, or write in the cloud (I like Dropbox).

There are many very good writer sites on the Internet that are helpful to beginners. One is Absolute Write.

If you're submitting your poem to a contest, or your novel to a publisher, do your research first. Make sure the publisher is not a scam. Even if you've heard of the company, it doesn't mean they're legit. This is the best place to find out: Writer Beware.

One good thing to remember: Money flows toward the writer, not away.