Becoming publishable
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Welcome to Scribbler's Retreat, a place for writers to learn how to become publishable.
Too often, websites on writing leave the impression someone who has never written for pleasure or publication can sit down at a keyboard and write a bestseller on the first try. Those of us who are published know this isn't how it happens. You can't be successful at anything without a great deal of hard and sometimes boring preparation, study, and practice. This site aims to help you develop those skills and to create a lifestyle that will lead to publication. There is also a new section for those who are already published and want to build their career and reputation.
This means you'll learn grammar, punctuation, word choice, structure, plotting, and other tools of our trade. You'll explore books that can help you bring your skills beyond what I am able to teach, not yet being famous myself. You'll learn how to build credentials and discipline, and find out how to fit a writing career into a real life that includes having to earn money in non-writing ways or taking care of a family between writing sessions. You'll discover some of the ways writers make their writing more professional. Over time, as I add more to the site, you'll end up with all the information you need to prepare to sell your work, and then to build a career.
There are no guarantees. If I knew everything about being a great writer, you wouldn't have to read my bio to find out who I am. What I share is what I know--and as I learn more, I'll share more. You'll have to do your part, as well. No amount of book learning (or in this case, website learning) can make you publishable. That happens only by hard work and many hours spent at your keyboard, planning, writing, and editing.
There are places on this site for you to interact with other writers, ask questions, get support, and brag about success. Check out the forum, the chat room, and the blog and help to build a supportive community of serious writers.
The Table of Contents to the right will get you to the major headings (chapters). From there, you'll find subtopics.
Essential for writers:
