As a child I loved to read anything I could get my hands on from the adventurous comic book characters of days gone by to the Classics of Edgar Allen Poe and O' Henry, Shakespeare and even Chaucer.
Movies and television were also a passion, especially if they were the adapted works of my favorite authors. As I aged, my tastes changed somewhat to Fictional Adventure, Science Fiction, Horror, and Fantasy by authors such as Andrea Norton, Dean Koontz, Michael Gear, Robin Cook and many many others. I was never a fan of short stories, as I preferred novels except when it came to the screen adaptations of Rod Serling and his Twilight Zone series.
One day almost a decade ago, I had sat through an abysmally written and dialogued syndicated television show that had a tremendous following. I started complaining to my mate (now deceased) and my adopted daughters (his genetic) about the episode (Oh Yeah, I'm a TS). I was flat out told "If you think you can do better, write a screenplay and submit it. " In other words put up or shut up!
The challenge was accepted! I had an idea, researched the story, wrote it, copyrighted it, and submitted it. It was bought and made into an episode. I was shocked when I was asked to do another, which turned out to be made into two part continuing storyline. (Due to my Privacy I will not tell you which show, so do not ask.)
By the way if you think that writing is a way to make your first million, think again, Darling. Everyone gets a piece of the pie and your collective efforts. That includes the Feds, unions, lawyers and of course your literary Agent.
Besides doing these stories, I have a dream to complete my first fiction novel. I've been working on it. Who knows, maybe someday it may even be completed and printed. (Yeah, before the next Ice Age!)
Any aspiring writer (Novice or Journeyman or woman) must do the following:
1) Write for yourself! If you enjoy it, maybe someone else will too. To hell with the critics! Most critics couldn't write if they had a typewriter or computer shoved up their collective asses. All they can do is criticize. There could be a possible jealousy factor of your writing ability.
2.) Always read, reread and if you must, rewrite what you write. What may make sense to you might not make sense to the reader.
3.) Never let your family read what you have written. Family psychiatrists and counselors charge too much!
4.) Make your own mistakes in writing and in the literary industry. Learn from those mistakes! Don't pay for a seminar or course in writing from so-called experts, as you'll just learn their mistakes.
5.) The most important word is research. Know what you are writing about and that only comes about by doing your research for the story or novel.
6.) You really don't have to be a drama or English major to have the ability to write, but you do have to have a vivid imagination and the ability to put a story into words to tell that story.
7.) Write for the enjoyment of telling a story, not for the possible rewards. Those rewards may never come. Your literary Agent will get their 35% or so up front if they do.
8.) Don't give up your day job! The Feds want their money!