How I Found The Write Path - the Butler/Hrezo way :)

Aloha,

The amazing Carrie Butler and her lovely co-host, PK Hrezo (sir, I know you have pronunciation problems, but please... step away from the "H") want to compile a free e-book for writers who are just starting on their road to publication, using advice from the most brilliant, up-and-coming voices in the industry.

Now that all those people have sent their entry in, here's mine :)

THE PROMPT: 
Please write a letter/note to yourself when you first started writing toward publication and include the answers to the bold elements listed below (I told them to be good… but nooooobody listens to me):

(PS: My letter is meant for the me that sat on the patio of his 27^th floor Chicago apartment… on the evening of Y2K:)

- A lesson you learned the hard way:

Dude, don’t be a chicken. Writing is your passion – you’re just afraid to admit it. Get over yourself.
Grow a pair. You will?
Good.
Now, sit down, be quiet – and write the damn story.

- Something you didn’t expect about the industry.

Writers care about each other’s success. You’ve always wanted to be a part of a group. Well, here you go. Take the plunge. You’ll absolutely tread water for a while, but they won’t let you down - or drown. Trust a little – and learn a lot.

- A writing-related resource you could never do without now

Twitter.
(No, you don’t have to learn the Chicken Dance.)

It’s something on the Internet (yes, I know it sucks paying AOL a monthly fee, but that will change, too.)

Anyway, Twitter is a way to quickly share information in 140 characters or less.
(No... it’s not at all like hanging with the little animatronic people at Disney’s “It’s A Small World.)

- One thing you’d change about your journey

You need to get out of restaurant management ten years earlier, work as a server in a swanky place and then spend the extra hours writing at the library or at Starbucks (yes, the coffee place.)

- One thing you’re glad you did.

In five years, you’ll apply and get that Staff Writer position with that Florida newspaper (even though you had neither the required two-year experience nor the degree in journalism.)
Nice one, and that’s what I’m talkin’ about, dude.

- Your number one tip for pursuing publication.

You haven’t got the looks or the education, but you are such a pain in the arse when you get your teeth in something that’s important, so don’t be a big gurl’s blouse.
Don’t quit on your dream.
Ever.

- Anything else you feel is worth passing on

Dude, raid the accounts and buy about $10,000 in Apple stock – more if you can afford it.
(No, it’s not a fruit producer or a new martini drink.)

Oh, and patent the word “Google.”

(No, not gaggle, Google… seriously, why do I bother. Yes, I know I’m stuck with you. Now, go. Write.)

And, if you’re stuck, go to Harvard. (Yes, the Uni. Yeah, the one in Bahston…)

Try getting some face time with some dude called Zuckerberg.

(He’s a student, and he has a neat idea that people will give thumbs up to... some may even like it…)

###

INFORMATION: 

My bonded name is Koopmans… Mark Koopmans...

You can find me on Twitter – simply click here.

If needed, the fabulous Carrie Butler has permission to use my entry in the e-book compilation.