Write! So many people dream of writing a book. So few actually put that dream into action.

Here are the typical excuses:

“I don’t have time to write.” – If you want something badly enough, you MAKE time to do it. If writing a book is a real goal in your life, you will make the time to write. I’ve known mothers of small children, who also worked full time jobs, find time to write before the kids woke or after they went to bed. They wrote during their lunch hour or on break. Some dictated into their phones on their commute to and front work. If you want something badly enough, you will make the time.

Learn!
When I started writing in the year 2000, I had the benefit of joining a great organization Romance Writers of America. I met people with a lot more experience in this industry than I had and went to workshops at the national conference. Through my affiliation with this group, I joined critique groups and learned how to edit my work and how to take constructive criticism of my writing and hone my craft. I read books, did online workshops and learned as much as I could about every aspect of the industry. I’m still learning. The Publishing industry is constantly changing.

Be fearless! Some people get bogged down in grammar and industry “rules”, like proper sentence structure, genres that are or aren’t selling, and trying to make their work perfect every step of the way. This can be crippling and make you stall out on your story. Give yourself permission to write garbage. My mantra? “You can’t revise a blank page. You CAN revise crap.” Write the story. Then revise the crap out of it!

New York Times and USA Today Bestselling Author ELLE JAMES also writing as MYLA JACKSON is an award-winning author of stories including cowboys, intrigues and paranormal adventures that keep her readers on the edges of their seats. With over eighty stories in a variety of sub-genres and lengths she has published with Harlequin, Samhain, Ellora’s Cave, Kensington and Avon. When she's not at her computer, she's traveling, snow-skiing, boating, or riding her ATV, dreaming up new stories.