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'A slow, frustrating process'

19 June 2006

'Sometimes I fear that some writers want to get published more than they want to write. Being a successful writer is a long apprenticeship. Writing a novel is a slow, frustrating process. It takes time and patience to get it right. Don't send out your work to publishers and agents when you are feeling impatient and frustrated with it. Send it out when you're happy and confident in the work - the difference will show in the writing, trust me. If you play the long game, perhaps go on a course or join a workshop, get some feedback and apply it, you are already giving yourself a better chance of success. In the end write for the sake of the writing, to make the writing, your writing, the absolute best it can possibly be, only then is it really worth reaching for the jiffy envelope.'

Julia Bell in MslexiaStylish and lively site for quarterly UK literary magazine read by 12,000 'committed' women writers. Good range of quality writing, information and advice with news, reviews, competitions and interviews, all presented in a friendly fashion. Praised by Helen Dunmore as 'astute, invigorating and above all an excellent read.' www.mslexia.co.uk