Hi! (*waves awkwardly*)
I'm assuming that every one who comes this way is already in the process of writing a book, had written a book, or would like to write a book. That's great - really! We can never have enough great stories and I'm sure with the right inspiration you are on your way to writing a story we'll all love. Well, okay, that's not quite true - not even Harry Potter or LOTR is loved by everyone. And that's okay. That's only to be expected and we'll only feel bad more if we keep on hoping that everyone's going to love our stories.
With that said, I'd just really like to give a little back to the online writing community that helped me so much in the past several years.
I do not believe in bashing other writers' works. It doesn't matter if I personally hate them or that I find a particular writer petty or cruel. I still won't ever speak against them because there's a moral, ethical, and professional code we all writers must adhere to if not as a courtesy to each other then at least as a form of respect to our own readers. I know my own heart breaks whenever I learn of any favorite author of mine behaving badly!
I'm assuming that every one who comes this way is already in the process of writing a book, had written a book, or would like to write a book. That's great - really! We can never have enough great stories and I'm sure with the right inspiration you are on your way to writing a story we'll all love. Well, okay, that's not quite true - not even Harry Potter or LOTR is loved by everyone. And that's okay. That's only to be expected and we'll only feel bad more if we keep on hoping that everyone's going to love our stories.
With that said, I'd just really like to give a little back to the online writing community that helped me so much in the past several years.
Do you know...
I learned all those things from the Internet. Without having to take any kind of class - not that it's unnecessary but I'm just saying it's possible to learn a lot of things online from fellow writers. Of course I bought a lot of books about writing and getting published, too, but any supplementary data I needed I got online as well.
- How to write a query letter?
- How to write a blurb?
- How to write a synopsis?
- How to work on an R&R?
- How to find a critique partner / beta reader?
- How to get a literary agent?
- What to do when you get an offer of representation?
- How to market your book?
I learned all those things from the Internet. Without having to take any kind of class - not that it's unnecessary but I'm just saying it's possible to learn a lot of things online from fellow writers. Of course I bought a lot of books about writing and getting published, too, but any supplementary data I needed I got online as well.
By the way...did I mention the fact that I'm from the Philippines as well?
Yes, that's right - and sorry, not a drop of American / Caucasian blood in me. I mean, just in case you mind. I'm 50% Filipino, 50% Chinese. :) I even got my diploma from a Filipino-Chinese academy (ICA, which is still one of the Top 10 high schools in the Philippines). The reason I'm saying this is because once in a while I'll also be posting tips / advice for Filipinos wanting to be published outside the Philippines.
In conclnyway I'm hoping that with this blog I can be of help to other writers for a change. I can't promise to provide the most professional and valuable advice, but what I can promise is that everything here will always be positive in constructive.
I do not believe in bashing other writers' works. It doesn't matter if I personally hate them or that I find a particular writer petty or cruel. I still won't ever speak against them because there's a moral, ethical, and professional code we all writers must adhere to if not as a courtesy to each other then at least as a form of respect to our own readers. I know my own heart breaks whenever I learn of any favorite author of mine behaving badly!
So please - no bad vibes here!