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WRITING TO EXCEL By Arthur Zulu

“Of all arts in which mind excel”, says one writer, “nature’s chief masterpiece is writing well”. But before we begin writing our best seller, I will ask you to re- read beginning of this book. Or do you still remember those negative questions often asked by novices?

Well, I would want to assume you have outlived “nattering nabobs of negativism” (by Spiro Agnew), and are now set to write. Some, however, have asked following questions, and answers will help you get started.

What Do I Need to Write? Simple. Use traditional materials –- pen and paper. I prefer them. The reason is that it is easier for me to put my thoughts in writing as fast as they come. It makes work more natural, honest and unpretentious. And you also know that a notebook and a pen, are very portable. You could be doing your thing while seated in a bus, train, or plane (without terrorists).

But if you can type as fast as you think, a typewriter or even computer is okay. So, what is sauce for goose, may not be sauce for gander. The important thing here is, use a writing means that can get your thought down as fast as it comes. Shorthand and pictographs are excellent.

What is Best Time and Place to Write? You know what is best for you. Some write in morning, others prefer late at night. Some like quiet, lonely places, while others would not mind radio on! Some have even tried to rouse their imagination through drugs and alcohol! And they say it works fine for them.

Well, I don’t require any intoxicants to write. And I wouldn’t ask you to take them in order to excel. What you need, however, is a conducive place and time. As for me, I write anywhere, anytime I get muse.

You would have to know that muses transcend borders and physical disabilities. Some have written books in prison-- ask Wole Soyinka, Nobel laureate. He did one in prison, titled THE MAN DIED.

What About Sources? “Writing is thinking, and thinking is work,” says Robert Bolt who wrote A MAN FOR ALL SEASONS. Yes, you are going to think-- think a lot. You will go into meditation and see “visions”, (I don’t mean to make you a prophet.)

Now, do you know how Mary Shelley came to write FRANKENSTEIN? She was holidaying in Switzerland with her husband, Percy Bysshe Shelley, poet Lord Byron and another named Polidori. After familiarizing themselves with ghost stories, Lord Byron came up with proposition: “We will each write a ghost story”.

Then each went to dream dreams, and Mary Shelley thought that to excel, she had to dream up scariest story ever. And she beat them all with FRANKENSTEIN, weirdest story before HARRY PORTER. Even Joseph, dreamer, couldn’t have dreamt better. And her story became a classic!

So, having chosen genre you want to write about, think of best- selling book in that category. And aim to smash its record! Persevere in your dream, and when it has taken form, put it down in writing.

Publishing Guidelines: Permission is granted to publish this article electronically or in print as long as bylines are included. A courtesy copy of your publication would be appreciated.

HOW TO WRITE A BEST-SELLER

By Arthur Zulu

If you want to write a best-seller, you may wish to write on any or all of genres discussed below. This is because they are topics that attract an all time sale. It is frustrating for an author to spend nights and days, writing and re – writing, only to release his work to an unreceptive public. Most writers cause it with their difficult writings, and on strange subjects. Consider an author spending his time writing THE DANCE OF A COCKROACH! Who cares? It is only a mental exercise to keep writer on duty. But if you are writing for money (the muses forgive you), you must target an audience -- a wide audience for your work.

Now, let’s consider best selling subjects to write about.

General interest topics make great sales. Yes, write a book on a subject that interests people. Even if others have written on such topics, it will continue to command general attention.

The film, LOVE AND SEX by Valerie Breiman got instant attention, and even hundreds were turned back when it premiered at Sundance Film Festival to a packed theater. Beware though of writing pornography. You will lose your audience, and your works will be stigmatized.

Apart from love and sex, people want to know how to make money, how to find a panacea for incurable diseases; and so on. Try writing a fiction, for example on how AIDS resistant mosquitoes were used to cure AIDS patients in some distant land. That will generate instant interest, and put scientists on their toes to find a cure for AIDS, using mosquitoes. Sounds funny? Not at all!

Success books cannot be bettered That’s true, for who is he that wants to fail? It is for this reason that how - to books are in great demand. And a writer, like Anthony Robbins with his book, AWAKEN THE GIANT WITHIN, has become an icon. People lack confidence in themselves, are frustrated, and need guidance to succeed.

If you, therefore, want to join Tony Robbins and others in his league, dream big dreams on how to help people succeed in life. Tell them they are greatest, tell them to brighten up for success is around corner, tell them that failure is a trickster, and tell them they have a mission to accomplish on earth, and that they must accomplish it only if they try. And then your reward for this education will be in big sales and plenty of cash!