Helping Out

A buddy of mine called me up recently to talk about how to get started as an author.  He knew I wrote books, and he wanted to know how I got started and kept going.  It was a great conversation, and I wanted to use it as a springboard to encourage other authors to help out those new to the craft.

There should be nothing about writing that we view as proprietary.  Unlike the product at Pizza Hut or FedEx, someone using another author’s product(ie, reading their book) does not mean ours is not being read.  In fact, increasing a reading audience usually means that more folks are reading books and, thus, are more apt to read yours.

If you’re an established author, and someone asks you for advice, give it.  Be helpful.  Maybe your protégé will turn into a best seller and return the favor by turning people onto your work.  Or maybe they’ll just increase the reading audience in general.  Whatever it is, you lose nothing by helping out, so take whatever time you can spare when someone asks.  It’s the write thing to do.  😊