“What’s it like being a writer?”  I get asked that question a lot.  Well, there are lots of coffee shops involved.  I spend a lot of time doing research.  And, of course, there’s lots of writing.  Simple enough, right?

Well, judging by the number of books on “how to become a writer” for sale at my local bookstore, there must be a lot more to it than that.  The world is full of advice on how to become an author—some of it good, some of it bad.  Most of it shares one thing in common: it is written by people who are already authors.  On the one hand, this is a good thing—these people should theoretically know what they are talking about.  On the other hand, because they have already “made it,” they sometimes miss the most crucial points.  And often, they have forgotten the trials and tribulations they suffered along the way.  I’m still making my way, and I remember the trials and tribulations all too well.  I’m finding new ones all the time!

So, for the benefit of readers and would-be-writers alike, I’m going to explore some of the mysteries of the writer’s world:  What is it like writing a book?  How does one find an agent?  What exactly do editors do?  Do all authors need a website?  Why do second novels tend to be so much worse than first novels (aka, “the curse of the second novel)?

In this blog, I’ll be relating my own experience as a first time novelist, learning not only how to write, but also how to navigate the world of publishing.  There will be advice, yes, but this is not an advice column.  It is my experience.  Do with it what you will.

So come on in, and take a peak into the mysterious world of the novelist…