ction short story and novel you can find. Immerse yourself in the type of writing you want to do. Spend 80% of your time reading and 20% of your time writing “sequels” to the stories you have read.

Today, the young man who asked the question is a highly-paid writer ... with a host of articles and books to

Nearly 30 years ago, I was a guest panelist at a seminar about “Writing for Profit.” -- All day long,the speakers had told the attendees all about how to submit their written works to editors and publishers ... what to expect in a publisher’s contract ... how to prepare a writer’s proposal ... primarily focusing on how to “sell” what the attendees had written.

At the end of the seminar, a panel of five “successful writers” ... including me ... was introduced, with a list of each writer’s works and their individual accomplishments given.

The first few questions from the audience were nothing more than a rehash of some of the information provided during the day. Then, a young man stood-up in the back and said ...

“All day long, you’ve been telling us how to sell our written works - but - how do youlearn how to write to begin with?”

After the other panelists finished recommending english composition classes; espousing the merits of good grammar and syntax; and advising him to “just keep writing, you’ll get better,” it was my turn.

My answer was ... as usual ... short and to the point ...

“Read!”

Then, I had to explain what I meant.

If you want to be a Science Fiction writer, read every science fiction short story and novel you can find. Immerse yourself in the type of writing you want to do. Spend 80% of your time reading and 20% of your time writing “sequels” to the stories you have read.

Today, the young man who asked the question is a highly-paid writer ... with a host of articles and books to h

on how to “sell” what the attendees had written.

At the end of the seminar, a panel of five “successful writers” ... including me ... was introduced, with a list of each writer’s works and their individual accomplishments given.

The first few questions from the audience were nothing more than a rehash of some of the information provided during the day. Then, a young man stood-up in the back and said ...

“All day long, you’ve been telling us how to sell our written works - but - how do youlearn how to write to begin with?”

After the other panelists finished recommending english composition classes; espousing the merits of good grammar and syntax; and advising him to “just keep writing, you’ll get better,” it was my turn.

My answer was ... as usual ... short and to the point ...

“Read!”

Then, I had to explain what I meant.

If you want to be a Science Fiction writer, read every science fiction short story and novel you can find. Immerse yourself in the type of writing you want to do. Spend 80% of your time reading and 20% of your time writing “sequels” to the stories you have read.

Today, the young man who asked the question is a highly-paid writer ... with a host of articles and books to

f some of the information provided during the day. Then, a young man stood-up in the back and said ...

“All day long, you’ve been telling us how to sell our written works - but - how do youlearn how to write to begin with?”

After the other panelists finished recommending english composition classes; espousing the merits of good grammar and syntax; and advising him to “just keep writing, you’ll get better,” it was my turn.

My answer was ... as usual ... short and to the point ...

“Read!”

Then, I had to explain what I meant.

If you want to be a Science Fiction writer, read every science fiction short story and novel you can find. Immerse yourself in the type of writing you want to do. Spend 80% of your time reading and 20% of your time writing “sequels” to the stories you have read.

Today, the young man who asked the question is a highly-paid writer ... with a host of articles and books to

spousing the merits of good grammar and syntax; and advising him to “just keep writing, you’ll get better,” it was my turn.

My answer was ... as usual ... short and to the point ...

“Read!”

Then, I had to explain what I meant.

If you want to be a Science Fiction writer, read every science fiction short story and novel you can find. Immerse yourself in the type of writing you want to do. Spend 80% of your time reading and 20% of your time writing “sequels” to the stories you have read.

Today, the young man who asked the question is a highly-paid writer ... with a host of articles and books to

ction short story and novel you can find. Immerse yourself in the type of writing you want to do. Spend 80% of your time reading and 20% of your time writing “sequels” to the stories you have read.

Today, the young man who asked the question is a highly-paid writer ... with a host of articles and books to his credit. -- Last time I spoke to him, he thanked me again for my simple advice.

With that said, I am now going to answer those of you who have persisted in asking me ...

How To Write Better Ad-Copy

Right now, you’re probably thinking, “Now he’s gonna tell us to read all the books we can find on copywriting.”

Wrong, paperback-breathe! -- The first thing I’m gonna tell you is -- after you’ve read all those copywriting books for general knowledge; like learning english composition, grammar and syntax -- throw away those books and ...

Read The Ads!

That’s right. -- If you are going to write an ad to sell your “fancy-dancy fishhooks,” gather together every ad you can find that offers fishhooks, fishing lures, fishing poles, or, even, fishing boats. -- Read them ... reread them ... and read them some more. -- Don’t even try to do any writing. Just read the ads!

Again, you’re probably thinking, “That’s old hat. Everybody tells us to keep a swipe-file of ads offering products similar to our own, then use those ads to write our own ads.”

Wrong, again, copycat-litter-breathe! -- If you only use your swipe-file to makeup copycat ads, you will be committing ...

The Biggest Mistake Made By Beginnin