Writing Notes

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To be a successful and profitable short story writer/poet:

Write on as many subjects as possible, including those of intense interest
Have regular work while writing because writing doesn’t pay well
Write on themes suggested by daily headlines
Marked ability and market ability are two very different propositions.
Adapt to the demands of the day
Be influenced and inspired by that demand
Send to different levels of your market, and be willing to explore new markets
Short stories and verse can be sent to daily papers, magazines, and greeting card publishers
Affiliate with an artist who can illustrate your verse or short story

And a list of Don’ts

Don’t: Think of yourself as a writer or dress the part
Classify yourself
Call your quarters a garret or studio
Frequent the company of writers to the exclusion of others
Consider any line of work above or beneath you
Complain of lack of appreciation
Consider yourself entitled to special rights, privileges, or immunities as a writer
Consider your lack of fame a grievance against the world
Speak of “poetic license” or believe in it
Use “e’er”, “o’er”, “whenas”, etc.
Say “did go” for “went” even if you need the extra syllable
Omit articles or propositions for the sake of rhyme
Self-publish (unless you have exceptional market ability)
Write poems or short stories about fetuses or the Great God Pan.

Now, if I can just follow these, maybe I’ll get some of my fiction published.