Goodreads
Goodreads asked James Bow:

What’s your advice for aspiring writers?

James Bow The best thing you can do is keep writing, and keep reading.

To write, keep a journal, or set up an online blog, and make a commitment to yourself that you'll write regularly. That starts the flow and the discipline that you'll need when you're writing professionally. Write fan fiction. This is a great opportunity to practise your skills in storytelling, building characters, settings, plots, while not having the stress of making up your own universe to play in. Fan fiction also comes with its ready-made audience and community who will cheer you on. That's high-octane affirmation and incentive.

To read, just read. As much as possible, especially in the genres you wish to write in. This way, you will see how other people handle the craft. You'll see what's been done before, and you may also see how to do what's been done before in new and interesting ways. Even books you don't like can be helpful, if only to help yourself say to yourself, "I can do this better!"

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