In the introduction to the book, Ms. Garland mentions that there are eleven basic stages most writers go through before becoming successful authors. The information leads step-by-step down a well-worn path. The neat thing is the path not only lies behind us in the learning and practice that brought us to where we are today; it also stretches ahead. What lies ahead of you on your path as a writer?

Here are the stages and some information about each:

Stage One--Dreaming.

Voracious reading and a love of words and language characterize this stage. You admire authors. Your own story ideas flow, but for one reason or another you don't write anything down.

Stage Two--Planning:

You finally put some words on paper and tinker with them every now and then. There is a keen interest in how-to writing books and you subscribe to writing magazines or read them at the library. You develop an interest in, and perhaps even join a writers group. You may even attend a writer's conference. You enjoy writing and the companionship of writers, but you aren't trying to sell your material.

Stage Three--Hopeful:

Your friends enjoy your work, and find you talented. You work diligently on your material perhaps for months or years, until you feel it's perfect. You send off your first manuscript, then anxiously watch the mail and dream of how you'll spend the advance.

Stage Four--Depression:

The first rejection is followed by the third and fourth. Everything you send out is rejected with a form letter. Self-doubt soars.

Stage Five--Withdrawal:

You convince yourself that you are totally untalented (or that the editors of the world just don't understand and/or appreciate you.). You shelve all your work, hoping the papers will rot or get eaten by mice so you won't have to destroy them yourself. And as regards how you feel about new, successful writers, I thought Sherry Garland summed that up well when she wrote, "You hate all successful authors, especially R.L. Stine." <G>

Stage Six--Rejuvenation:

At the bookstore you notice a best seller in your genre that is similar to your manuscript. You contemplate that your name could have been on that cover. So you go home and dig out all your old dust-covered boxes, renew your subscriptions, join another writers club, meet writers and editors at writer's conferences and begin building a network. You take a writing course. This time you set definite goals.

Stage Seven--Persistence.

You set aside time for writing. You experiment with techniques and styles. You research markets and send out work with a polished and professional appearance.

Stage Eight--Breakthrough:

You sell your first piece, for little or nothing, but it's celebration time! Rejections still come, but they are personalized, encouraging and don't paralyze you.

Stage Nine--First Big Sale:

An editor makes an offer on a story or book. In a few months (story) or a year (book) later it's in print. People are asking to see more of your ideas. The future looks rosy.

Stage Ten--Sink or Swim:

You sell more articles or even a second book. You stash away money until you have enough savings to survive and turn to writing full time. You write daily and keep several manuscripts in circulation. The motivation to stay hard at work comes from knowing that if you don't sell, it's back to the old job!

Stage Eleven--Career Author:

Your income comes from writing and speaking engagements. As a published author, you are now a business with all that it implies--pressure from deadlines, reviews, research, writing, keeping tax records and handling promotions. But the rewards outweigh the headaches.

Do you recognize yourself in any of these stages?

Sometimes very good writers get stuck in the first few stages and give up. No matter what stage of development you are in, you can do one of two things. If it's comfortable to be where you are and that's where you want to stay, then by all means, stay there and enjoy it! There will never be any pressure from this quarter to do anything but what YOU choose to do with your writing! If you want to move on, then look for ways to break out of your current stage and move on to the next.