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Goodreads asked Celeste Barclay:

What’s your advice for aspiring writers?

Celeste Barclay Dear Reader,

TRY! That is my advice for an aspiring writer. Read plenty of books in your chosen genre to get a feel for the ebb and flow and what readers might expect. Then, if and when you have an idea, sit down and write or type. Let it all come pouring out. If you're working straight on the computer, then it's easy to move parts around or go back and change a section. If you start out by writing by hand, makes notes to yourself if you want to change something.
Allow yourself time. Writing is a process. In real life, I'm a teacher, and I tell my students that since they are not the Golden Goose, their first attempt isn't going to be gold. You have to know that writing is going to take a while. It takes a while to get your ideas on paper or the screen. It takes a while to proofread your writing (at least twice, always at least twice) and make edits. It takes a while to get it onto various websites for distribution or to a printer. If you're looking for a publisher, rather than self-publishing, be prepared to submit numerous times before someone agrees. If no one bites, then self-publish. If you want to retain all creative rights, then self-publish. It's becoming more and more common and more acceptable, so take advantage of it.

Best of luck!

Celeste

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