You finished the book. Here’s what comes next.

Like most writers I was turned down more often than I care to remember, or cared to admit to my agent. A few things would have helped had I known them earlier. This is a small attempt to make your life a little easier, if you're an unpublished author.

First - finish the book. Most people who start books never finish them. Don't be one of those. Do it, for God's sake. You have nothing to fear - it won't kill you. It won't even bite you. This is your dream - this is your chance. You sure don't want to be lying on your death bed regretting you didn't finish the book.

Read a lot.

Read books on writing and getting published. I read "Writing Mysteries", edited by Sue Grafton and published by Writers Digest. I also read "Bestseller" by Celia Brayfield and a bunch of other books including 'The Idiot's Guide to Getting Published".

If this is your first time writing a book why would you assume you know what you're doing? Why put that sort of pressure and expectation on yourself? You might very well have an innate appreciation of character and structure and pacing. Some people do, and don't need these books. Frankly, I'm not totally sure how much good they did me. But I know for sure they did no harm. And it was comforting to 'listen' to other writers and know they struggled with the same things. I felt much less alone and inept.

I suffered from writer's block for many years. Terror had taken hold. I was afraid that, once tested, I'd prove my worst fear true - I was a terrible writer. What cured me was a sudden realization I was taking myself way too seriously. And that I was trying to write the best book ever published in the history of the world. And if I didn't, I was a failure.

I decided instead to just have fun with it. To write what I loved to read. And to people the book with characters I'd want as friends. Clearly we all choose our own characters - but make sure you're going to want to spend lots of time with them. They don't have to be attractive, kind, thoughtful. But they do need to be compelling. Look at Scarlet O'Hara. A petty, jealous, willful, vindictive character, almost without redeeming traits, whose tragedy is her failure to change. But she's riveting.

Be true to yourself.

Write what you want even if friends and relatives think you're nuts. And, be very careful who you show the first draft to. Once finished I'd strongly suggest you make a list of 'readers', friends, acquaintances, friends of friends, who'll read your work and critique it. This is a crucial stage. But remember, your 'baby' is fragile as is your ego at this stage. Mine certainly was. I'd invested so much of myself a too harsh criticism or cruel critique (always said with a knowing smile) could have made me toss the whole thing away. I wish I could sit here and tell you I was strong and determined and centred and courageous about the first draft of STILL LIFE, but I wasn't. And you're probably not absolutely sure your first book is any good either.

Here's the trick. You need to get it into the hands of other people. You need to be open to criticism and guidance and suggestions. But you need to choose those people wisely. Some people are simply petty. Some people see it as their God-given purpose to find fault. This process isn't about finding fault. Frankly anyone can do that. It's facile. No book is perfect. It's about making the book even stronger. You need supportive, encouraging, thoughtful readers. People who'll offer critiques in a kind and constructive way and who understand the difference between truth and opinion.