Becoming a Writer, Staying a Writer

Becoming a Writer, Staying a Writer Synopsis

2021 Best Indie Book Award - Writing

In the words of novelist Harlan Ellison, "The trick is not becoming a writer. The trick is staying a writer.

New York Times bestselling author and British Academy Award nominee J. Michael Straczynski knew he wanted to be a writer ever since he was a child. What he didn't know was how to actually become, or stay, a writer. 

Now, he's giving fellow writers the comprehensive guide he wishes he had all along, personalized tips and techniques that can't be found in any other book on writing.

Becoming a Writer, Staying a Writer culls from Straczynski's more than thirty years of experience writing for film, television, books, and comics. Designed for writers in any stage of their career, this quirky, insightful and often humorous book provides an inside look at these industries with advice and wisdom covering such topics such as:

    What fledgling writers need to know to improve and sell their work-and avoid wasting valuable time
    Tips for experienced writers who want to get to the next level
    Staying disciplined when writing is your day job
    Why writers should never wait for inspiration 
    Story-planning strategies that don't kill your spontaneity
    Expert techniques for effective, memorable world-building
    How to get an agent and survive the writer's journey in more personal relationships
    Revising and editing with precision
    When and how to reinvent yourself as an artist 


Becoming a Writer, Staying a Writer includes Straczynski's unique, tried-and-true methodologies that will help storytellers sharpen their work so that it's polished and ready for publication. Part toolbox and part survival guide, this book will be an indispensable guide throughout your entire writing career, offering fresh and practical insights every step of the way.

About This Edition