Alright guys I’ll be honest with you… I have a splitting headache and so today’s article isn’t going to be an all-time sensation.
A few people have told me that they have trouble keeping up with all the articles I write, which makes sense because there are a ton of them and I lose track as well.
I’m also well aware of the fact that the site’s navigation could be better and at some point I need to build “Start Here” sections for the various topics we’ve talked about over the past year or so.
This article is a pre-attempt at doing this.
People ask me about writing and publishing fiction quite a lot, and I neglect it a little as it’s a small part of the site and my writing task list at any given time.
However, I’ve written quite a lot about it over the course of months, so I thought I’d put together a list of reads in a sort-of sequential order.
I’ve divided it into three sections:
- Research and Picking Projects
- Writing Fiction
- Publishing Fiction
Those three categories are all there is to it, really. Don’t overcomplicate the process and let’s get on with it.
(Note: These articles all cover similar ground and in many ways most of them could go in multiple categories… bear with me.)
Researching Fiction
https://jamiemcsloy.co.uk/current-approach-fiction-research/
https://jamiemcsloy.co.uk/genre-fiction-demographics/
https://jamiemcsloy.co.uk/much-writers-read/
Writing Fiction
https://jamiemcsloy.co.uk/best-fiction-writing-exercise/
https://jamiemcsloy.co.uk/best-fiction-writing-book-beginners/
https://jamiemcsloy.co.uk/worldbuilding-easy-way/
https://jamiemcsloy.co.uk/write-pulp-speed/
The Business Of Publishing Fiction
https://jamiemcsloy.co.uk/self-publishers-must-run-business-like-business/
https://jamiemcsloy.co.uk/post-modern-pulp-fiction-part-1/
https://jamiemcsloy.co.uk/era-good-pulp-fiction-economics/
https://jamiemcsloy.co.uk/write-good-fiction-book-blurbs/
https://jamiemcsloy.co.uk/why-you-probably-dont-need-a-real-publisher/
https://jamiemcsloy.co.uk/random-misconceptions-traditional-publishing/
https://jamiemcsloy.co.uk/selling-books-isnt-just-selling-books/
Final Thoughts
Alright, a few things have come to mind regarding the above… I’ve written a lot more about fiction than I thought I had. The above articles are a good start though, and give you an overview of my general philosophy and methodology as far as writing books go.
Secondly… organising this site is going to be a lot more hassle than I thought it would be.
That said… if you want to get a start in writing fiction, the above is more than you need. It all comes down to four things at maximum:
- Pick the right projects
- Research the genre
- Write books
- Run the whole thing like a business
Many, many writers fall into the weird trap of assuming that what they’re doing is esoteric or philosophical. Writing can be those things, but it doesn’t have to be. I’d argue that if you see it as a professional endeavour, then you shouldn’t think of writing as philosophical exercise… instead, you should get on with it.
With that gnome of wisdom, I’m off because it feels like my eyeballs are going to pop out.
Business will resume as usual tomorrow.