When I was a kid, one of the things I wanted most was to meet a real writer -- someone who could tell me what it was like to be a writer, but even more important, how I could become a writer. Was it possible for kids to get published? But there was no one around to answer those questions for me. That’s why I set up this section of my website.

 I don’t want to mislead you. It’s not easy to get published. Most publishers won’t even accept work from children. Those that do receive thousands of submissions, way more than they could ever publish.

If you want to be a writer, the best advice I can give you is to read, read, read and write, write, write! Read something every day. Write something every day. When you finish a story, see what you can do to improve it. Ninety percent of writing is actually rewriting. If you keep writing, keep rewriting, keep learning your craft and stick with it, you’ll get published. It may not happen as soon as you want it to, but it will happen.

If you want to know more about improving your writing,  select one of the following:.

characters     character sketch    plot    plot chart    Book Suggestions

If you want to know more about getting published, select one of the following:

Tips     Markets     Cover Letter     First Page

Copyright © 2001, 2009 Dori Hillestad Butler