[Oberon]

Most people who aren't published are not published because they haven't worked at it all that much.

Which is not to accuse you of laziness, but rather to assure you that persistence pays off.

I decided to become a writer one day in my college dorm, when I tossed aside a paperback sci-fi novel I'd paid good money for at the campus bookstore and thought "This is CRAP!" My next thought was "Heck, if that guy can get published, I'm a shoo-in."

[Lee'sGhost]

"This is CRAP!" My next thought was "Heck, if that guy can get published, I'm a shoo-in."

Exactly my thought as well. Except I haven't gotten published yet. Mine is not a case of laziness as I am re-writing even now. It's a good story but I've come to realize that I needed to hone a few skills and trust my BS meter more. I think I'm almost there.

[JamesP81]

I decided to become a writer one day in my college dorm, when I tossed aside a paperback sci-fi novel I'd paid good money for at the campus bookstore and thought "This is CRAP!" My next thought was "Heck, if that guy can get published, I'm a shoo-in."

I had exactly the same experience the first time I read a David Drake novel. He's got great ideas as far as plots but his writing is just not so great. That's why I'm still trying (albeit with poor success) to write my own novels. I have about 4 good ideas to work from. My problem is that I seem to get started out strong then run out of steam by about the 4th chapter...