The Place For My Writers Notes

Writer's Digest, July 1991, pages 38-39, has an article by Chet Cunningham with that title. It's broken into 14 little chunks, mostly with titles that summarize the points. So, let's walk through his ideas.

1. Want to write novels more than anything else in the world. Unstoppable! You gotta want to do it!
2. Create characters you can't stop writing about. Make them people you really know. He says he uses a big questionnaire to work through each of the main characters, including physical description, psychology, work, hobbies, dreams, etc. Make sure you know your characters!
3. Finish your first novel. Then keep on doing it.
4. Aim at a specific market. Probably not a "mainstream novel." Hit the genres. His idea -- pick the one you like, and read 20 contemporary novels in that genre. Take them apart. What's the story line, how does the writer make it work, what is the pitch. Check characterization, style, structure, viewpoint, suspense, twists... 
5. Specialize. Don't jump around, at least to start. Stick to one genre, build a byline. This also lets you reuse your research!
6. Write what editors buy. (hum, this may not be as much of a problem with indy publishing?) Anyway, he suggests analyzing what's on the bookstore shelves to see what the editors bought a year ago. Check the magazines that survey the marketplace (Publishers Weekly, Writer's Digest). Then plan your book for a specific publisher and a specific line.
7. Write series books. Continuing series do great in genre. One great character, one slant or idea, and push out that series.
8. Sell your books with partials. After you have a track record, sell new ones with a partial. 4 chapters and an outline of the rest of the book. 
9. Keep the pipeline full. While you are writing current books, send out queries for new books and new series.
10. Write more than you do now. If you do your daily quota, and there's time left... do some more! Write every day. Focus on writing, and keep that writing time first.
11. Have a work space where you write. Try to do your writing (and only your writing) in one place. Write, plan, plot, research. That's your work place.
12. Set a writing schedule. Lay out your calendar, including research and rests.
13. Join a novel writing workshop. Writing group interaction helps you and them. 
14. Enjoy the hell out of your writing. "Writing is the most wonderful and thrilling and satisfying job in the world." So enjoy it!