These keep getting better and better folks!

“The Help” mentioned by that narcissistic asshole that is Mike Triforce illustrates the point I made in my last entry (see rich writer). My favorite is how her story is essentially born with silver spoon in mouth, grew up to be rich house wife, had servants all my life, wrote the book they never had the time to write nor contacts to get published…and in the interview all she and the author talk about is how tired SHE is… Its enough to make you want to puke. Sadly this phenomenon is not uncommon. The Kite Runner was written by a doctor who was already rich. But I warned you. Stop whining. Take your licks. Focus. Deep breath. Now ask yourself, do you want to write fiction or non-fiction?

If you’re like me you like fiction. It makes sense right? Best sellers are typically fiction. Books that change the world are typically fiction and fiction by it’s nature can remain timeless.   Now. Take a big step back and consider what ai have to say.

Before delving into why I think you should start with non-fiction it’s important to note that I don’t always take my own advice. When considering another’s work obviously I am not emotionally invested but as for my own well…

Anyway, non-fiction is the way to go because it is easier to get a non-fiction work published. Also unlike fiction where you have to spend a year or more writing the damn thing before you start querying, non-fiction simply requires a proposal. Then if it gets picked up you get an advance (aka money) and can write your book in the comfort of the relief that only a trip to the dentist when you have a tooth ache can bring. Me? I numbed it with whiskey then I pulled a Cast Away. I woke up in the emergency room and have a much larger bill than if I had just gone to the dentist but can’t afford the extra cobra payments.

Now here’s the thing. You don’t need to change the basic idea of your work to start with non-fiction. Writing a sci-fi novel? Write a children’s book about the underlying technological concept featured in your work OR write about themes in science fiction novels dear to you. If you want to write the next Twilight, Harry Potter or Lord of the Rings right a treatise on Vampires, the occult or the Middle Ages. You will save time, develop street cred as a writer and expert in the field and who knows if your non-fiction is good enough you might get approached to write something fictional along those lines.