Craft of Writing - Do you think you're better than published authors?

I I know some writers that believe they are better than many of the successful authors out there, but the majority accept that being published is a decent barometer of ability.

It therefore struck me as odd the other day when someone said that to be published today; you have to be better than the established authors.

First of all I laughed this advice off. Then I chose to ignore it - as the last thing any writer wants to hear is that to get a major book deal you have to be better than the writers you consider to be the best in the business.

Then - as ever - I thought about what that person was really saying.

Imagine you are an agent or a publisher - and an unsigned author drops a manuscript on your desk. What would make you sign them? Because you thought they were less talented than the writers you were currently publishing?

Thought not.

Now breathe slowly and remain calm. What I am not suggesting is that you have to actually be better than the top authors.

What is true, however, is that you need to impress an agent or publisher more than an established author. And that, believe it or not, is not as difficult as it sounds.

Take out a couple of books by one of your favourite authors. Compare their first or second story with a later one. The chances are that the openings were better in their first offerings. And this is despite their overall writing improving as they became more accomplished writers.

An established writer is at liberty to start a story slowly. Readers may be familiar with the characters or setting - or they've read their work before. You'll allow them a few pages, or even a chapter, to get into the real meat of the story. That allowance is not afforded the new writer by any reader - let alone an agent or publisher.

Your first page, and the first few pages and the first chapter need to be tightly written and be really impressive. You have to blow them away with the first few lines and keep them hooked.

I'm not suggesting this is really easy, but then it's not impossible either. There are some simple rules that will help you get readers past the first page:

1. Cut the fat. Anything that doesn't take the story forward should either come later or not at all.

2. Who should we care about? This isn't essential but readers generally want to know as soon as possible who they should be rooting for.

3. The five senses. These can really bring a reader in. And just a description of what we can see isn't enough. What can we smell or taste? These can be really powerful in an opening.

4. Language. Choose your words carefully. Adjectives especially should be vivid. Avoid clichés but similarly don't confuse readers with mixed metaphors or obscure references.

None of this can be guaranteed to get you published - but it certainly won't harm either.

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