Before I became a teacher, I was a sports writer. Working for a newspaper taught me a lot about writing, especially dealing with the pressures of deadlines. I enjoyed the writing so much that I started writing fiction about 10 years ago, during my time off.
Although many teachers take summer jobs, I have always used my time for family, recreation and writing. This is how I was able to complete my first novel, The League.
I know many teachers who are excellent writers. They teach at colleges, tutor high school and university students, and some even publish articles. Few live their dream, though, of publishing a novel. I've never truly understood their reasons.
This is the best profession in the world for writers. The time off is plentiful, and if you don't have to take another job, there's nothing like winter break, spring break and summer vacation for research and writing. Hopefully, those of you who are teachers and have considered writing short stories, children's books or even the great American novel will take my advice and start writing on your next extended break.
Don't blame time on not realizing your dream. Quit your part-time job, sit down at your computer and bang out that story. It's probably inside your head, just waiting for you to let it spill out. If you're a teacher, use your summer to write. I did, and now I'm a published novelist.
Mark Barnes is the author of the new novel, The League, the first work of fiction, based on fantasy football. He is also an investment real estate and home loan finance expert. Learn more about his suspense thriller at http://www.sportsnovels.com. Get his free mortgage finance course at http://www.sportsnovels.com
shuttle to Midway Beardstown .. Lockport Chicago limo O’HareUser documentation is all too often written by programmers for... Read More
As writers, we initially tend to be either more cerebral... Read More
I have added a new word to my vocabulary. Logorrhea.... Read More
The tiniest things can be so useful when you come... Read More
Clustering, also called Mind Mapping, is a great way to... Read More
Everyone has a book inside them, or so the saying... Read More
For any great novelist, defining your cast of intriguing characters... Read More
It's the funniest thing. When someone asks me what I... Read More
Just about everyone is familiar with this beginning: "In the... Read More
Your struggling to sell just a few copies of your... Read More
You have a new website, or a new business, or... Read More
Everybody knows writing a story is not easy. Like the... Read More
What is a prologue? When should you use one? Should... Read More
Business etiquette is fundamentally concerned with building relationships founded upon... Read More
Most people can easily identify with the dreaded "writer's block".... Read More
"This is just brilliant. The whole interview is incredible? I'm?... Read More
All writers should use a plan whether written or reflected.... Read More
(Skip directly to ten for the fastest shortcut!)Like any field,... Read More
Writing is hard work, and like all hard work, one... Read More
In the words of Aristotle, "happiness is self contentedness helping... Read More
Many writers write for the experience. Others dream of having... Read More
Compiling a list of the history's ten best writers is... Read More
ADAPTATION 101Brimming with confidence, you've just signed the check purchasing... Read More
Tips for your writing journeySo, you'd like to be a... Read More
(This excerpt is taken from my new writing workshop Writing... Read More
Green Bay Hummer H2 SUV rentals ..I have added a new word to my vocabulary. Logorrhea.... Read More
Open any book on 'how to write,' and somewhere you... Read More
"Do I send samples, a media kit, or just the... Read More
Chaos and confusion come when established rules and procedures are... Read More
Creative Writing Tips ?What a plot is and what a... Read More
Every hero has a seminal insight - the apotheosis. Once... Read More
Have you ever read someone else's writing and thought one... Read More
|| Graphology & Graphotherapy ||Everybody wants to know more about... Read More
Your query letter can be a deal maker or a... Read More
What do you mean, you don't have a website yet?... Read More
The rejection letter says: "Your story, on the surface, appears... Read More
A few days ago, I critiqued a chapter for a... Read More
Next time you're tempted to use italics for emphasis... STOP!"Why?"... Read More
Proofreading worksheets are a great tool to help individuals open... Read More
I recently read a book where everything was akimbo. Arms... Read More
Not all writers write good grammar. That's a fact. It's... Read More
"If you're like me, than I'm sure you're pretty familiar... Read More
1. SECRETS TO SUCCESS2. MAKING A POWERFUL FIRST IMPRESSION3. AVOID... Read More
It's important to have a space set aside in your... Read More
Your struggling to sell just a few copies of your... Read More
If you are reading this article then you probably have... Read More
No matter what your fifth-grade English teacher says, some grammar... Read More
Started a book and then got bogged down? Like many... Read More
Rejection. This scary word plagues virtually every writer this side... Read More
By far, I have found that the lack of discipline... Read More
Writing |