Who will listen

Why do writers fall into the category of the “starving artist”? Because it is so hard to get a foot in the door. There are “rules” that a group of publishers and investors have decided we must follow in order to get a head. These “rules” include certain subjects and costs. Have you noticed every year or every few years there are certain topics of books that dominate the charts? That’s because some executives have decided what they want to trend and those who are outside that box get pushed to the margins and have to either fight or change for the “trends”. Then there is the cost. A writer normally has to work a normal job in order to survive and writing is done on the side. It takes so long to make a living from writing because there are so many roadblocks keeping them from getting a foot in the door. Then there is the psychological block of whether or not they will reach an audience. An open writing community is what these writers need. I personally think in a different way and have yet to make a living with writing and I know I can’t be the only one. I would like to create a community that no matter what a person writes, they will be able to communicate and build an audience. This also includes fanfiction writers.

This is a touchy subject for people, but I think that fanfiction writers are called lazy and are given the credit for the work that they put into their stories. There is a way for Star Trek fanfiction writers to get published but they must follow a strict guidelines that basically leads to the same regurgitated stories over and over. Star Trek was the first literary universe to publish and celebrate fanfiction writers in the 1970’s. I believe this is one of the factors that has allowed star trek the long life that it has had. The fans were able to be a part of and build the lore of the universe. A community that celebrates not only great original works but also fanfictions would bring more writers together.

Everyone deserves a chance to realize their dreams. Everyone needs a voice and a place to share that voice without judgement. I have gone to so many writing sites and there are so many restrictions that prevent certain voices from being heard. I want a place where no matter what your voice may be saying. I want to create a community where the sky's the limit. There are different types of writers and they have many stories. These stories are sometimes fanfictions and they want to profit from their work. I understand that the laws just do not accommodate for this.Since the laws and strict guidelines prevent fanfiction writers to profit from their hard work, a community should be formed to teach these writers how to take that fanfiction and turn it into a sellable work. If Fifty Shades, born from a Twilight fanfiction, can be a success why can’t someone else.

There are those who have novels and short stories that they are afraid to publish because they do not know if they will be well received. Some want to write but don’t know where to start. My membership site would cater to all of these types of writers.The goal of my site would be to build a community of writers from all walks and skills to help each other and to offer advice and encouragement. The membership site is necessary so that it can be monitored regularly. Writing lessons would be offered and a podcast with prompts and what a prompt can turn into with a little imagination would be available to all members. Courses on how to take a fanfiction and find the real story underneath. Advice and encouragement to help the writer take the next step to publishing and realizing the dream they have been working on for so long. There will also be videos to help people with inspiration and how to use prompts to create a story. No one should be held back just because executives decide what should be trending and who can be allowed to move forward in their lives. I have struggled to get my foot in the door and I know the pain of not having the confidence to complete a work and publish. I live with it everyday and I want to help others through the struggle. I will never guarantee success, like all of those other course sites, I will just provide the community and the courage to continue to try. Storytelling has been a cornerstone of society since the days in the caves. Everyone needs a voice and place to share that voice. No judgement, only encouragement. Sometimes all you need is an encouraging word and a little constructive criticism, and someone to believe in you.