The student was trying to write a thriller, and added: ‘I don’t think my writing or mind has the capacity to develop a series of fictional events and characters. The thriller market is saturated as it is. I have lost count of how many of the same old synopses I have read about murderers on the loose and a case being solved.’
She was right. You must be an exceptional writer to break into such a competitive market.
We told her it’s important to identify her strengths. What does she do well?
She decided it was writing diaries and reflections. She always loved writing diaries and journals when she was younger, and was able to make every day experiences sound interesting.
The Adrian Mole diaries were an example of how this type of writing can work, and there haven’t been many similar books since then.
So she decided to ditch thrillers, as they did not suit her writing style. Instead, she decided to focus on first-person, monologue -type books.
The golden rule on our creative writing course
Her decision reinforced the golden rule with any kind of writing: Write about what you know, unless you can afford to employ a researcher.’
The ‘diary’ approach can work, if you’re a good storyteller. But it can be difficult to make every day experiences sound funny or interesting.
It’s important to make the reader see themselves in your experiences. Michael McIntyre is one of the best at this, although his anecdotes might not work so well if they were written down.
It’s very difficult breaking any kind of fictional writing these days – even if you’re good. One of our writing course students has managed it. So it can be done.
Most people use self-publishing. This is how CMP principal Cleland Thom produced his book Online law for journalists last year.
Our online self-publishing course guides you through the process. And there no up-front printing costs.