The Ronco Writer-O-Matic (or The Bullshit Detector)

Feel stressed? Like you can't write? That everybody else is getting published except for you?

Are you looking for the formula, the secret, the thing that successful writers are doing that seems to have completely escaped your notice?

Guess what? There are lots and lots of people online just oozing with the formula and the secret and itching to tell you if only you'll buy their Nine-Thousand Ways to Be a Wildly Successful Writer for less than a cup of coffee at Starbucks, if you buy coffee everyday for a week (or two). Here is but one example: "...in tip #(X), I share my all-time favorite, mic-drop worthy piece of advice for getting serious about writing your novel. Trust me, you’re not gonna want to miss this one."

The problem is that while they may have some bits and pieces that could help you, most of it is common sense or just crap they made up and maybe works for them. And more often than not, if you follow their advice and don't see the results they implied you would receive, they will likely say it is your fault or hey, what can you do... It's a tough business.

They are the Tony Robbins of the writing world. He says follow his advice and buy his products and you will find wealth, it's that easy. However, it isn't. Succeeding in business, any business, is hard and most people will fail one or more times. Robbins' success stories hide many more people who bought into the dream, did everything right, and yet didn't get rich.

Often, Robbins and others only offer commonsense repackaged and then try to lead you into greater and greater financial commitments always promising to bring you closer to the ultimate truth/formula/secret/etc. If you go this one step further, all your dreams will be realized and you will see the promised land.

The truth is that writing is hard, takes dedication, having something to say, ability to access your inner pain and joy, learned skills, and a lot of luck. Even still, you may write a wonderful short story or novel only to be repeatedly rejected (I know from personal experience. Want to read my latest short story? Sorry, it's been rejected six times so far).

The other truth is that publishing is highly subjective. What one editor likes may be like fingernails on a chalkboard to another.

So the final truth is that there is no easy way, even as some very lucky writers have an easy time of it. Anyone who says they have the secret to being a great writer or getting published is not being honest.

However, if they say I may be able to help you grow as a writer and get better, they probably have something to offer, especially if they are willing to read what you write and have a two-way conversation rather than force you to buy some guide or other nonsense. You can always learn more and improve and it is well-worth having a mentor to help along the way, but there are no secrets. All it takes is good writing and some luck (which is the intersection of preparedness and opportunity).