Twelve Step Program for Addictive Writers by Cyn Pagliolo

Though you may think this is a program to help get over your writing addiction - it's just the opposite. We're here to help you become better at your addicitve nature.

Step One: Admit you have a problem. This is one of the most difficult steps you'll ever have to take in the program. It's okay to admit it, just remember you are not the only person with this addiction.

Step Two: Let go of your muse. Doing this will allow his/her freedom to find their voice. This step will ensure that when he/she is ready, the writing flow will be a continuous one.

Step Three: Discourage your inner critic. This voice can be rough on your own writing. Allowing this inner critic to take control over your writing will be damaging to your addiction.

Step Four: Find the correct time to write. Finding the right time for you to write is the key. You don't need any outside distracts to take you away from the word, as your inner voice will be distracting enough.

Step Five: Write everyday. Once you have found the perfect time to do some writing, stick with it, do it every single day if at all possible. This will allow you to practice the craft of the word.

Step Six: Add caffeine to your writing sessions. Doing this allows the addictions to feed off one another, as well as keep you awake once the muse shows up and takes over you. Anything from chocolates to sodas will work fine.

Step Seven: Research. Always research your characters jobs or their lifestyle. Remember your characters have to be real to those readers or you won't pull it off.

Step Eight: Getting over the fear. You have to let someone close to you read your work. Don't assume they will hate it, let the inner critic alone. They can give you pointers and tell you what areas you need to work on.

Step Nine: Re-write and edit. Once you have let whoever read your work, re-write and edit out what needs to be done. There will always be a better way to write a scene and you know it's in you.

Step Ten: Write cover letters and queries. After doing more research on your potential publishers, begin to write out your letters. Remember they need to be just as professional as your manuscript needs to be.

Step Eleven: Send out your work and wait. Also a part of step eight - get over the fear of rejection will help a great deal in getting you motivated enough to send those envelopes. Waiting is the hardest part of the game. It can take weeks, sometimes months to hear back from an editor for rejection or acceptance.

Step Twelve: Being published. If you have made it this far into the program, you are a Writing Addict Winner. This step should show you can and are good enough to be published.

Follow these twelve steps and you're sure to still be addicted to writing, if not more so!



About the author:

Cyn Pagliolo is a busy wife and mother but continues to write daily. She is an author on a site for Writers.