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The One Thing New Writers Need to Hear That Nobody Will Tell Them
The hand that feeds you is the one most likely to rip you off
So you’ve found your bliss, and it’s (ta, da) writing. Congratulations! As someone who’s been doing this for over half a century, I can tell you the rewards are great, probably not as great as you’re hoping they’ll be, but there’s a lot to be said for expressing yourself in this particular way.
Trust me, I know of which I speak, uh, write
My writing ability has opened up opportunities that other people might envy. I’ve seen my name in print, won several prizes, and learned to write well enough to earn a full-time salary with benefits. I’ve even had an office to myself with my name on the door.
I saw Pulp Fiction at an advance screening for film critics in San Jose, CA, before Quentin Tarantino was a household name. I’ll never forget being with a couple dozen other jaded, pop-culture pen pushers while QT vigorously blew our minds into oblivion. We left in a daze, grinning at each other like maniacs.