It's natural for aspiring writers to pen their first novel and then, as they begin the query process, to explore whether they need a business structure to support their emerging author identity. The question is a complex one, which depends on your motivation for writing and your expectation for both income and self-made sales.
If you're allergic to detailed planning, using scene vignettes and short stories to get your mental map in order can be an effective tool for long-term productivity.
So be a beacon of hope to people struggling in the darkness—you are, after all, a writer, and hope is your superpower. And now's as good of a time as any to shine.
One editor's approach to assessing the liteary slush pile reveals the most common reasons that queried stories end up in the rejection pile.
Write often. Study the craft. Avoid vanity presses. Build a platform. Read the guidelines. Find a writing group. THEN, celebrate success.
While certain writing rules apply broadly, or even universally, the application of those rules can vary widely as a function of genre and story length.
Never underestimate the power of base moral conflict to drive tension and keep a plot moving. Ethical competence is core to effective character conflict.
Think carefully about the pros and cons of engaging in multiple and simultaneous submissions. Acceptance barriers aren't always someone else's fault.
If you can position your work solidly within a constellation of known sellers, you’ll more easily convince a hesitant agent to advance your manuscript.
Real-life cold-blooded murder is rare and complex. Authors, avoid using murder as casual plot devices because random premeditated murder isn't plausible.