Patrick Scalisi
My answer is two-fold: (1.) Write as often as you can and get into a schedule of writing every day. There are plenty of wanna-be writers out there who are working on stories or novels and never finish them. Get the work done -- there is no silver bullet to becoming a writer. (2.) Read. Read things in the genre you like to write. Read things outside of your comfort zone. Pay attention to language, to characterization. This is the best education a writer can get.
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Lh
asked
Patrick Scalisi:
In "Horse Thieves", a lot of the social/cultural aspects seem to be modeled on modern-day (American car companies on hard times, plastic zip ties, Texas Hold 'Em), and a lot seem to be modeled on the old west (no long-distance communication, weak government, six-shooters). I can't really tell if it's supposed to be 1800's with cars, or 1950's with a Wild West. Did you have a "base century" in mind in terms of setting?
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