SFWritersU

Ric,

Thank you for your feedback. I know many writers feel the way you do. And I will make note of that. It's important for  me to remember that. However, I'd encourage you to change your thinking! Given the huge number of ways you can publish your work today. It is true you need some resources for editing and a cover, but a cover (if not editing) can be procured inexpensively. And you can produce an ebook or a print book for next to nothing on Amazon. So, please don't give up! And just because someone else says it's a bad idea, doesn't mean it is. You never know until you, like the scientist, try it out. And some ideas are simply worth writing.

Just like a scientist that works for 11 years doing research, only to realize his ideas wont work.., an aspiring author, with no connections, minimal resources, basic obligations and years of generating hope, begins to relaize that dispite a given talent.., the arena where this talent is expressed, is reserved for the fortunate.

Thanks. Victoria! Your response is very helpful. I'm sorry about the racisim you feel.

Thank you for the questions. What has stopped me primarily have been:

• my own self-doubts;
• psychologically painful comments laced with undertones of racism by whites who immediately "discount" my capabilities (including at least one city editor);
• and today - mostly - it's financial concerns

In terms of writing the book: main problem seems to be I attempted two big book projects at once:

> one became incredibly expensive: a photojournalism book 

> personal issues/uncertainites about how best to "approach" the subject (keeps changing somewhat) for a roman à clef (concerns about legal/libel issues - and how to avoid them)

Re: approaching publishers and promotion

> just need to learn the steps, processes, issues around literary agents, etc.

> promotion would be easy; knowing what's happening within book/publishing market

  (trends or non-trends; what publishers seek, liabilities/libel)

Re: Authoring Training

> inside info on the book publishing industry 

> comparisons: self-publishing versus publishing houses/agents

> tips for developing a dedicated writing discipline

> book outlines and plot development (have been using trainings from Writer's Digest but am always curious to know if there are other ways of doing something

> legal matters

Life stopped me from writing. Having a family, a job, a business I never thought I had the time to write. Then one summer work was slow so I opened up a blank word doc and started writing.

Self-doubt, feeling not good enough is what kept me "editing" for the last year and half rather than sending queries out. Fear of beccoming the American Idol contestant that is told by family and friends their amazing then getting slapped in the face with a hefty dose of reality in the real world.

I should have made an outline before I started writing. Outlines are my friend now.

Author training I would benefit from would be outlining, organizing all the voices and ideas in my head in a way that makes sense to everyone not just me.

Thanks for your thoughtful response, @knightsofkilbourne. I will use them. I hope some other members here add some as well.