I Advise You Not to Take My Advice Regarding How to Become a Successful Author

I have often wondered why so many ignore the wealth of information and knowledge regarding writing, publishing and marketing in books and literary periodicals available in the public library or through free and low-cost seminars, lectures and classes, choosing instead to seek advice from those whose knowledge and experience usually only marginally exceed their own, if that.

Some who claim to be a successful author constantly offer advice and attempt to discredit anyone who dares to disagree with them. However, the value or veracity of the evidence presented to support their claim is usually difficult, if not impossible, to determine. Successful authors do not tout their qualifications and achievements. Since true success spawns notoriety, most avid readers have, at the very least, already heard of them and their work to some extent.

If becoming a commercially successful author is your ultimate goal, by all means, pursue it, but consider pursuing a few other activities first. Before one can do, one must learn. Before one can learn, one must study and practice. Before one can study and practice, one must research and then access the appropriate material and other proven learning resources available.

Once we have learned how to do what we wish to do, then it is time to actually try doing it and gain experience. Success is never guaranteed, but we have no chance at all of succeeding if we don't at least try. Expend the time and effort necessary to seek out well-established, formally recognized and proven sources of the knowledge and expertise you seek rather than waste time seeking my or anyone else's amateurish advice. I wish you success.