Goodreads asked Stephen R. Burns:

What’s your advice for aspiring writers?

Stephen R. Burns Be patient, read, and put in the time. That sounds cliche, I know, but the only way to become a good writer is to write. A lot. There really is no such thing as "overnight success" in this industry. It is a craft that needs to be honed over the years.

In his book, On Writing, Stephen King suggests that a writer must spend 4-6 hours a day reading a writing, and they should be producing at least 1000 words a day. (If they aren't editing.) I have followed that advice for nearly twenty years.

The other suggestion I'd make to young writers is to find either an established author or editor to give them guidance. Writing groups are excellent for support, but if you're only working with people who are at a similar level to your own, it will take a lot longer to improve.

(Shameless plug: I double as a professional editor and offer ten free pages of editing -- no strings -- to any young writer who would like help. Simply email me at stephenrburns@gmail.com if you'd like me to take a look.)

And lastly, I'd say that you have to learn to love constructive criticism. All writing is re-writing, and if you don't learn to not only handle it, but love it, it will be a difficult journey. Writing is very personal, regardless of the topic or type, but in this, we have to learn to get past the feeling that someone is criticizing you as a person and not your work. If you can do that, and if you're willing to put in the time every day, you'll get better.

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