DEAD On WRITING is divided into SEVEN Sections:

The largest is a 2-Part Section on CRAFT & EXECUTION with sub-sets dealing with every aspect of the art (and science) of writing from research and details to character, setting, plot, and dialogue. This area is large because it is in CRAFT and EXECUTION where you earn your “unofficial” PhD in Writing.

The Third Section is devoted to REWRITING & EDITING, which ought to be considered as part of Craft as well.

The Fourth Section is on SELLING the manuscript to AGENTS, EDITORS, & PUBLISHERS in today’s unique markets, including online efforts.

The Fifth Section is on the business of PROMOTING, MARKETING, & BOOK SALES of the finished book.

The Sixth Section is on GRAM’S GRAMMA’ ISSUES, which sneakily really is part of Craft.

Finally, the Seventh Section is an ADDENDUM of miscellaneous and extraneous material too good not to include.

Confessions from the outset: This book divides unevenly and in disorganized fashion as the philosophy here is that you need to perfect Craft & Execution before you can sell it to an agent, an editor, or a publisher of any size or quality; that you first must bleed the ink, perspire the ink, and cry the ink: in short do the work. Second confession: I use my own material for examples/samples throughout because it is easier, simpler, cheaper, and I know the material—where it fits, when it works to demonstrate what is needed to best teach you. So while on the surface it may look like I am just big-headed, trust me I am beyond any egoism. This business knocked it out of me years ago. To reiterate, learning the ropes of writing is enough work to have otherwise earned you a PhD in letters had you sought out a program at a university.

In essence, when you go down the path of an avowed professional writer, you become a PhD candidate in writing—and most of the lessons, while teachable and learnable must come at a time when you, the student or candidate, are READY. In other words, if you are ready, the “master” appears. And if you are ready, read on and learn the craft and live with the tools and make the gargantuan but fulfilling effort. I started on the path at a very young age, wrote my first short stories in 6th and 7th grades and went on to write my first novel astride my second and third years of high school. However, you can start on this marvelous journey filled with every imaginable emotion at any age.

There are a series of exercises in the craft section and more in the ADDENDUM that I will point you toward and urge you to complete as you go. These are results-getting exercises that will end in product. Production of pages equals experience and practice. In a film class you work on volume, on production, and practice; a writing lifestyle must be the same. I call these exercises “finger exercises” for good reason. You can repeat any of them as many times as possible before you become sick to death of them. But you should absolutely take to heart their value, as you would practice sessions on a piano or practice in shooting baskets or practice in any endeavor. You may also want to take years—perhaps up to four years—simply learning the craft and the art of writing before you dare go on the path of seeking to sell your “stuff.” That’s what I did and I sell a book per year on average. Now let’s jump right in on your unofficial but highly useful “PhD” effort, shall we? Let’s begin at the beginning but you may read any section of the ADDENDUM at any time for the fun of it.

 

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Reviews: "Mr. Walker’s passion for writing comes through in his book’s dead on advice. With enthusiasm and precision, he delivers those goods he deems himself able to and nothing more. I had to stop reading in my tracks more than once because his words struck my brain. Of course, my mind shouted. Aha! And more than once, oh, well, duh, Amber! “…Most of the lessons, while teachable and learnable must come at a time when you, the student or candidate, are READY.”

"I am. Real writing is in the rewriting, after all, and Mr. Walker speaks to the author facing the finished draft, scratching her head, wondering how to see the forest for all the trees reamed off her printer."

-- Amber Scott, First Turning Point for full review