I have often spoken at schools and conferences, and talked with many people at signings or other promotional events. One of the most frequent questions I am asked is "How do I go about being a writer?" I typically spend a great deal of time answering specific questions on what to do, and where to look for info, and to be helpful, I've compiled a bit of that information here.
On learning to write
There is only one way to learn to be a writer, and that is to write. You don't need a fancy computer, or a special word processor, or even very good typing skills. To start, a notepad and pencil will do, but you must use it, and you must write often. One thing to think about as you start is what type(s) of stories do you plan to write? (Children's, science fiction, fantasy, horror, romance, short stories, poems…what?) Research the type of story you want to write by going to your library or bookstore and getting armfuls of those types of stories, and reading them. Know what length is typical for the genre you've chosen, know the age group and/or market for these books, know the publishers.
Next, check out any and all "How to Write" books from your local library. You can reference my list of resources from the "Writer's Resources" link from the main page, or from the link below. Read them, do as many writing exercises as you can, and set goals on writing and finishing stories. Write, write, write! Practice makes perfect, and for me, at least, learning to write took a LOT of practice.
On Submitting to Publishers
When I first started writing, I thought that all I needed to do was write a story, polish it, send it off to an editor, and wait for the phone to ring. If only it was that easy. It took me a few years-years-to fully understand how competitive the publishing world is, how good I had to be before my work stood a chance of rising to the top of the slush pile. Because that's where most work from newbie writers ends up-in a huge pile of submissions that editors call "The Slush." "The Slush" is not a small pile of stories-it's an Enormous Pile of Stories. Some publishers receive as many as 20,000 submissions a year, when they might only be able to publish 100 books in all. So you see the odds. If you watch "American Idol" you understand how this works. On "American Idol," thousands of singers audition and thousands of them, who are truly bad singers, are sent home. A few are good, and those folks go on to the finals. Only one of those good singers becomes the next American Idol. You are facing the same situation with publishers. Thousands of stories go in, only a few get past the slush reader's desk. Of those few, perhaps only one or two will see print.
That isn't to say you can't succeed with your work. I could take voice lessons for the next 50 years, and never be good enough to get to the finals in "American Idol." But with my writing, practice has really paid off. Writing takes talent, yes, but it is a craft, and you can always learn or do something to improve it. Before you start submitting though, and start accumulating rejections, I think it is necessary to understand what you are facing with this business.
I've listed resources on publishers and submitting on the "Writer's Resources" page.
On Rejection
All I can say is, rejection happens. And it happens a lot to me. I have wallowed in despair over some of them, gnashed my teeth in frustration and anger at others, and rolled my eyes at still more. Editors, it seems, cannot easily recognize my obvious brilliance. If editors cannot recognize your brilliance either, here is a good site to cheer you up. Check out Writers and Rejection prepared by writer and illustrator Debbie Ridpath Ohi.
On Money and Goals and Everything Else
Often, I talk with writers who are disappointed that their stories have been rejected, or are impatient to see their book in print. Believe me, I sympathize, as I still get my fair share of rejection letters, and still tend to wallow in despair after receiving each and every one. But, there is a danger with impatience, and I always try to point that out.
With "regular" publishers, be they small presses, university presses, newspapers, magazines, large publishers, or specialty publishers, the author is paid to have their work published. Even if this is just a token amount, the money flows to the author. Other publishers-vanity presses and "on demand" presses-ask the author to put up some of the money in order to publish the book. I, myself, am very wary of vanity publishers of this sort. I've always felt that, for me, it was perhaps a sign that my work wasn't good enough if I couldn't sell it to a "regular" publisher. I know this isn't always the case, but for me, it is a concern. Also, I know that vanity presses do not do much, if any, work to sell your book. Do research into these publishers before you commit. Be very cautious, and clearly understand your publishing goals. If you want to publish a book to distribute yourself, then talk to a local printer. If you want your book to sell 100,000 copies and be reviewed nationwide, then I believe the vanity press is not the way to go. There are, of course, exceptions to this rule, but they are few and far between. As I said, do your research and know what to expect. That way, you won't be disappointed.
In the end, don't be impatient, understand your goals, and do whatever research you must in order to help you achieve them.
Good Luck!