Advice for Aspiring Authors

Apparently my archived blog on this subject got overloaded with posts, and has been unable to accept more - so it looked like I was ignoring y'all when I really was posting your questions and trying to respond. Soooo, I'm redoing this entry. If you posted and didn't see your question, please retry.

Here ya go:

P. C. CAST’S ADVICE ON BEING AN AUTHOR

1. If you want to be a professional author you need to approach the career like you would any other job. RESEARCH THE WRITING PROFESSION. You can begin by reading: BIRD BY BIRD by Anne Lamott, HOW TO GET HAPPILY PUBLISHED by Judith Appelbaum, THE WRITERS MARKET, and THE AGENTS MARKET. Ignore the romanticized idea that says being an author is something magical and mystical – that you lay around, waiting for your Muse to whisper in your ear, or for your dreams to coalesce, and then you’re simply the vessel through which all the stories flow. Ugh. Being an author is a job. Writing is work. Period.

2. Speaking of work – please remember that whatever you write represents you. No one is going to correct your errors in grammar, punctuation, and spelling. That’s not an editor’s job. Your editor is there to guide you into honing an already well written manuscript into the best work it can possibly be, and not to be a remedial writing coach. You need to work on the mechanics of writing and be as perfect as possible BEFORE you submit work to an editor or agent. Spelling counts! Even in emails. Get serious about that or no one will take your writing seriously.

3. What do I do to overcome writer’s block? Answer: I don’t believe in it! Again, writing is a job. When I was teaching there were many days I didn’t particularly feel like showing up at school and teaching 100+ teenagers, but it was my job and I did it (and did it well) whether I felt like it that day or not. That’s what writing is, too. Some days it’s a pleasure to be an author. Some days it’s hard as hell. Actually, most days it’s hard as hell. But I write whether it’s a breeze or whether it’s sloughing through mud, and so will you if you’re a real author.

4. How do I get inspired to write? Again, it's my job. I have contracts and bills to pay. It's what I do for a living. Yes, I love creating worlds and telling stories. I believe people are happiest doing what they're passionate about - and I'm passionate about storytelling. That doesn't mean it comes easily. I've found inspiration is part research, part imagination, and part good old fashioned work. If you're continually coming to a dead end in your work, perhaps you need to tell a different story. Or perhaps writing isn't for you. I wanted to be a veterinarian, but when I got serious about the career I realized I really didn't like dealing with parasites and poop, so even though being a vet seemed like a good idea, it really wasn't the right job for me.

5. Should you ask me (or any other published author) to read your work in progress, idea, summary, essay, poetry, etc.? NO. Okay – here’s the truth: another author can NOT get you published. Agents and editors can. Focus on them. Oh, and regarding allowing tons of people to read your work as you write – my advice is DO NOT. If you need feedback get into a writers’ group, or a creative writing class, both of which you can find by searching the internet. Honestly, if you're so insecure about your writing that you have to be told by others whether you're good enough to write you probably need to look at another career. Professional authors are tough and tenacious. If you manage to get published you need to have a firm backbone and thick skin because it's like putting your child out there for everyone to take potshots at - and, yes, they will blow holes in your baby. So if you don't believe in yourself before you're even published I'd run screaming from attempting writing as a profession.

6. For the record – no, I don’t read unpublished work. First, I can’t read your work and still have time to write my own. Second, my opinion doesn’t mean anything. I can’t get you published!

7. How can you get published? That’s a question you need to research and work on yourself. See #1 above for more info. Here’s the deal: you wouldn’t walk into a dentist’s office and say, “Hey! I want to be a dentist, so could you tell me how to drill on that guy’s teeth and let me have a whack at him?” Same thing about being an author. I can’t tell you how to do it. I can’t tell you how to write a book. Those are things you need to research and then do for yourself.

8. How do you start writing? JUST WRITE. Sometimes doing an outline helps. Sometimes drawing a chart helps. Sooner or later it all comes down to the writing. There is no magic pill that makes it suddenly happen. Read a lot. Write a lot. That’s all you can do. And is any age too young to start writing? Hell no! I wrote my first book in first grade. It's not about age; it's about talent and drive and tenacity. Teenagers: yes, you can begin trying to get your work published! BUT do your homework first. Know about manuscript format and how a book gets published (by a real publisher, which means you don't pay for it - they pay you). Understand an agent's role in the process. Hone your skills. Then go for it!

9. Go to book signings and buy books signed by someone with a pulse. Don’t ask anything of the author – just go. It builds up good Karma and it helps support the career to which you aspire.

10. Don’t ever download a pirated copy of any book. It’s stealing from an author and her publisher. Yes. It’s seriously bad Karma, whether you ever want to be published or not. If you can't afford to buy a book visit your public library.


As an additional note - some of you have asked about self-publishing. My advice is if you want to write as a hobby, then it's just fine. If you want to making writing your career, then don't self-publish (actually self-print is a better word). Yes, I know there are exceptions, and some self-pubbed authors have gone on to have successful careers with real publishers, but those few are the exception. Real publishers pay their authors, not the other way around. If you want to be a career writer, you need a real publisher. Period.

So, in summary: writing is a job like any other. Educate yourself about it. No, that doesn’t mean you have to be a literature major in college. It means you need to read writers’ resource books and become knowledgeable about how the publishing business works. Yes, it’s a lot to know. Just like in any other job. No, there are no shortcuts to being published (and being self-"published" is really being self-"printed"). Yes, you have to have a completed, rewritten manuscript – in an acceptable format – before you begin looking for an agent or an editor. No, an “idea” won’t sell unless you’re a celebrity, and then it’ll be ghost written anyway, and that’s a whole other issue. Oh, and be careful of Karma...

I wish you much luck in your quest!

PC

Happy 4th of July!

I'm in the Caribbean working hard on AWAKENED and Seoras and some friends surprised me with a Scottish/Irish/Lithuanian 4th of July celebration! It wasn't exactly "safe," but it was fun!

Hope you had a happy 4th!

XXXOOO
PC
p.s. No, it's not cold here, but it's been raining for a week and the mosquitoes are awful! That's why the weird clothing.

Tulsa World article featuring Kristin!

And it's Kristin's turn for some PR! Check out this story by our very own Tulsa World that gives you a peek at Kristin (and a mention of her new story/series!).

http://www.tulsaworld.com/scene/article.aspx?subjectid=275&articleid=20100628_44_D1_Kristi499570

The Telegraph

Here's a link to a piece I did for The Telegraph about my favorite home away from home place in Scotland. Re-reading it makes me miss the Highlands!


http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/destinations/europe/uk/scotland/7846027/Aberfoyle-Scotland-My-kind-of-town.html

MSNBC TODAY

Check out this MSNBC TODAY on-line article. Our Damien gets a lovely mention!

Teen books with gay themes take off - booknews
http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/37877961/ns/today-books/from/toolbar

UK fans - check out Mills & Boon NOCTURNE!

So, the super cool Nocturne series I'm part of is being released in the UK by the lovely Mills & Boon (that's Harlequin in the UK). I had a wonderful time writing my book, THE AVENGER. Hope y'all enjoy it! Today is PC Cast day on the new Nocturne UK site: www.nocturnebites.co.uk and their facebook and Twitter:
Twitter
http://twitter.com/MillsandBoonUK

Facebook
http://www.facebook.com/#!/romancehq?ref=ts

They're running competitions every day to win cool stuff. Looks like loads of fun!

XXXOOO
PC

Working on Awakened

Hi Guys!
Just wanted to keep you updated. I'm working hard on AWAKENED (release date is January 4th), and thought you'd like to see my view as I'm schlepping away at the keyboard.

You won't believe what's happening in this book!

Oh, and I'll have details about THE FLEDGLING HANDBOOK (release date Oct 26th) to come shortly.

Happy reading!
PC

Bad GLEE pics, but still...

Oooh! Glee was amazing! I was up in the front, center of the mezzanine - nice seats but they made for crappy pictures. Still, for your viewing pleasure:


Outside waiting to get in.



All the Gleek stuff for sale inside (yes, I bought a tee shirt!).



Inside the super cool Radio City Music Hall!




The cast of Glee performing! (Yes, I know it's not a good picture...sorry...)

GLEE!

Oooh! Guess where I'm going this weekend?? TO NYC TO SEE THE CAST (cast...heehees) OF GLEE PERFORM AT RADIO CITY MUSIC HALL!! Oh, baby! I'll report all Monday!

XXXOOO
PC

Oooh! Divine by Choice!

Oooh! Check it out! DIVINE BY CHOICE is a finalist for best cover at The Cover Cafe! You can vote in all their categories by going to:
http://www.covercafe.com/contest/2009/coverintro.shtml

Don't you love seeing all the different covers!?

XXXOOO
PC

Quick Correction

Oopsie - Seems our event at the Camana Bay Books & Books on Grand Cayman Island is at 4:00 today, Saturday, May 15th, and not 7:00 today. Good thing I double checked...

Hope to see a bunch of you this afternoon!

XXXOOO
PC

Tour Silliness!

At the Tulsa signing (Kristin hiding behind BURNED. I'm taking the picture.
Jaclyn and and Kristin (not MY Kristin) in shirts they made! In Victoria, Canada, eh!
Cutie Avril in Victoria!

We had a great time on tour! Portland was lovely (oooh! shopping!). We stayed at The Nines hotel downtown. It was wonderful!!! And the Farmers' Market restaurant was To Die For.
Vancouver was great, too, and it was during our event (in a church - I worried about lightning strikes) that a very knowledgeable kid told Kristin and me about the buffet ferry from Vancouver to Victoria. As we were heading to Victoria the next day, we held a mini-Cast rebellion, went AWOL from the 6:00 am plane flight, and took the super cool ferry whilst we grazed through the buffet and gazed at the beautiful scenery. Below is video proof. Nope, I don't know why the dang thing turns sideways...
So now we're home for a little while. Off to the Books & Books on Grand Cayman Island May 15th.

XXXOOO
PC

Oh Heehees!

Check out this video I did for a blog while I was in Toronto. Also you can go to
http://novelnovice.com/2010/05/03/interview-with-p-c-cast-a-chance-to-win-a-signed-book/
to try to win a signed copy of BURNED. Thanks to Sara Gundell for making the interview so much fun!

XXXOOO
PC

BURNED Launch!

A giant THANKS Y'ALL to everyone who made last night's launch of BURNED at the Owasso Walmart so much fun! Our fans are The Best!

See you in Portland on the 29th!

XXXOOO
PC

Burned - Video and Song!

Burn baby burn!

Check it out!

BURNED RELEASE!

Oh baby! It's BURNED release date! Kristin and I wish you happy reading!

XXXOOO
PC

FREE BOOK FRIDAY INTERVIVEW

Hey Guys - check out my interview on Free Book Friday at:

http://teens.freebookfriday.com/2010/04/burned-by-pc-cast-kristin-cast.html

Yes, they are running a giveaway, too!

BURNED Tour!!!

Here are the US and Canadian and Cayman dates for the BURNED tour! Remember, we don't choose our tour places - so we can't change or add. It's a short one this time because I have to focus on writing AWAKENED. Yes, we will be in the UK, but not until later this summer.

Hope to see you there!

xoxox

Kristin

USA

Tuesday, April 27 @ 7 pm
Venue: Walmart
12101 E 96th Street North, Owasso, OK 74055-5320

Thursday, April 29 @ 7 pm
Venue: Powell's Books at Cedar Hills Crossing
3415 SW Cedar Hills Blvd., Beaverton, OR 97005


Tuesday, May 4 @ 7PM
Venue: Borders
2740 E 21st Street, Tulsa, OK 74114

CANADA (EH? HEEHEES)

Friday, April 30 @ 7PM
Vancouver KidsBooks
Venue: West Point Grey United Church Sanctuary
4595 West 8^th Avenue, Vancouver

Tickets - $10
www.kidsbooks.ca

Saturday, May 1 @ 2:00 PM

Indigo Books and Music
Venue: Chapters, Downtown Victoria
1212 Douglas Street, Victoria
www.indigo.ca

GRAND CAYMAN ISLAND!

Saturday, May 15 @ 7:00 PM

Books & Books

Caymana Bay

Grand Cayman Island

345-640-2665

New interview with BURNED clues!

Okay, here's a BURNED teaser via my good friend and amazing interviewer, Teresa Miller, and her show Writing Out Loud. Yep - a bunch of BURNED is set in the Scottish Highlands (specifically the Isle of Skye). Nope - I'm not answering any more questions than I do in this interview!

Enjoy and I heart you guys!
PC
http://ra.okstate.edu/osu_tulsa/WritingOutLoud/PCCast2010/video.htm