Light and Stone: Essays on Writing and the Realities of Publishing

The book is divided into two parts: "Light" and "Stone". In the first part, T.E. Watson discusses typical mistakes made by beginner writers, what hinders the path to the top, and how to avoid it. You will learn how to... focus and why a schedule is necessary, how to start writing (and successfully continue!), where to find inspiration, goals, and meaning. If you are wondering whether to quit your steady job for writing, if you have talent, if you fear losing motivation due to criticism, if you think about how to properly format your manuscript for submission to a publisher, how to bravely accept rejection, and withstand competition - you will find answers in the relevant chapters. The second part, "Stone" - is direct practical advice for increasing your effectiveness: from proper breathing to choosing a computer mouse. It also includes tips on writing skills and an inside look at the publishing process: character development, observing everyday life and the people around you, enhancing imagination, searching for a literary agent, self-publishing, and the stages of publishing a manuscript through a publisher. At the end, you will find a summary of fifteen "always" and "never" in writing. These tips will help you progress far enough to complete your first draft.