I have often thought about what it takes to become a published writer. As an avid reader and a frustrated writer, I have often felt attracted to the notion of seeing through a large scale writing project from start to finish. I have, on several occasions, even had decent germinations for fictional stories that have not gone beyond a few pages before I lose my way and start second-guessing that I was going in the right direction to begin with.

I would guess that I am not alone in my authorly aspirations, most people writing blogs would either have published work or designs on one day completing that 5 part volume of fantasy novels, or the history of hot air ballooning or whatever. Go into any bookstore, there is no shortage of subjects, no shortage of readers. Even the wacky and far out will find an audience if it is well-written.

After reading Stephen King's excellent "On Writing", in which he catalogued his recovery from being run over whilst re-examining his aproach to writing (long-hand from his hospital bed) from his first novel "Carrie" to becoming a #1 bestselling author the world over. Whatever your opinion on King's fictional works may be, I can thoroughly recommend "On Writing" to anyone who has a pen and page, or blank computer screen and just can't work out how to get started.

Many years later (as mentioned in my previous RANT), I received a letter of encouragement from one of my favourite authors; "Fight Club" novelist Chuck Palahniuk. Chuck's honest words of encouragement still echo in my mind, particularly because his works so often present a bleak world view, that I should write often and that one day I will be old with stories on paper that represent more than just the story that inhabits the pages.

To my mind, everyone has a story worth telling, it's just the tools that need sharpening.

So I'm going to try again. Will it be more, or less dfficult completing a project having written this piece announcing my intention to do so? I hope it will make it easier, but essentially it won't matter either way. The project will require a significant amount of research, as it won't be a work of fiction at all. And no I'm not going to tell you what it's about.