©) 2003 Caterina Christakos

Many writers write for experience. Others dream of having a number one best seller. Both are wonderful reasons for writing. What many fail to realize is that these two do not have to be mutually exclusive. With a little research, you can enjoy writing incredible stories and see to it that they generate a profit.

The first thing that is needed is a business like attitude toward process. From day one you must:

1) Know your niche.

Research which books are popular in your genre. Go to bookstores and start reading popular authors in your field. Also pick up writing magazines and see what publishers are looking for today.

2) Know your audience. If you are writing for children, for example, know developmental stage that a child reading your book needs to be and cater to them.

Ex. A five year old would not be a good candidate for a chapter book.

You can also talk to your future readers and find out what really sparks their interest.

Everyone that publishes a newsletter or ezine knows that "list" is most important thing, if you want to be successful with any online venture. To build that list we are told to submit ads to other ezines, join as many ezines as is humanly possible to read in a 24 hour day without food or sleep. And of course write articles.

They also tell us that any dim bulb can write. I've read a few articles and I think that statement may be somewhat false. Ok, we know we can write because all of kids in your daughters 3rd class think you write "neat" poems.

Now all we have to do is pick a topic that is intersesting, informative, is less than 1 ba-zillion words, and will make people want to come back and read more of your articles. Hopefully they will become subscribers to your publication.

Oh yeah, they have to be good enough to be able to submit them to other ezines and make public think you are second coming of Mark Twain.