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About the Coach
My name is Cliff Ratza, and I believe I have something of value for you if you are an undiscovered writer ready to pen a novel for publication: I can successfully guide you through the process. What you are reading is my first article for a novelist writing a book or wanting to improve skills. Additional articles explore particular topics in more detail, and I also offer one-on-one conversations covering specific subjects. If you are interested in holding them, please contact me.
So, who am I? I am the author of the critically acclaimed “Lightning Brain” series. I have also written two collections of poetry, have earned five university degrees, and have used my writing skills in numerous business and academic careers. Some examples: I teach at three universities, train telemarketers, write newsletters and develop Website copy for my clients, write sales and marketing plans, and publish articles on selected subjects.
I have studied Literature and Linguistics (grammar, syntax, semantics), have read numerous books and attended many seminars explaining “how to write a novel,” and have applied all this in my writing. And I offer you something few writing coaches can: superior verbal and numeric ability. Most writers and liberal arts types are afraid of numbers and have little understanding of “Realpolitiks.” Not me. I have advanced degrees in hard science subjects and have held demanding jobs. Not only do I write novels, but I also know the business side of becoming a successful author: generating Awareness, Interest, Desire, and Action among the reading public as well as industry professionals. Writing a novel is like building a house. Project planning, a course I teach, can keep it on track. So, if you think I can help, please read on.
PUBLISHED WORKS
Here are some of my published books.
WRITER GUIDELINES FOR ASPIRING AUTHORS
GETTING STARTED
What You Need
Before you put pen to paper, make sure you have the following items:
- Time and Discipline. Writing a novel will become your second job. Make sure you can budget time and have the discipline to write each day.
- Motivation. Answer this question: Why do you want to write a novel? There are many suitable answers, and perhaps the best is that you are creating it for the enjoyment of recording a story you want to tell. Whatever your reasons, make sure they are not a whim.
- A story. What do you want to write? There are two kinds of novelists: Planners and Pantsers. Both can be successful, but both have an idea before they start. And each will adjust the storyline as they proceed. So, have a compelling idea before you start. Especially important: have a tangible beginning and an ending in mind along with a protagonist who will carry the plot.
- A solid mastery of the language in which you are writing, which for me is English, and I’ll assume it is yours as well. You don’t need to take a college course in Linguistics, but you must know grammar, syntax, and semantics better than most people. And your language skills will soar as you focus on writing your novel.
- A suitable vocabulary. Writing is painting a picture with words. Have a well-stocked palette.
- A reader’s eye, developed from having devoured books from all periods and genres (especially the genre your novel fits.) It will help you express yourself in a reader-friendly manner.
- A support network. Only you can write your novel, but you need people (not just friends and family) who can honestly give suggestions, judge your work, and help build your “footprint” in the publishing industry. You won’t have it when you start, so work to build it as you build your novel.
Don’t fret about mastering all the above before you start writing. No one ever does. Just keep working to improve as your writing career unfolds.
If you have at least started assembling the above, you can write a novel, but there are no guarantees you will be successful because that depends on talent, hard work, and luck.
- Writing talent is comprised of form (the mechanics of writing a novel) and content (character, plot development, and setting). Mechanics is a craft you learn by studying; content is an art you learn by doing.
- Hard work pays off in the form of a finished novel. (Think: motivation and discipline.)
- No matter how you define success, achieving it requires a bit of luck, much of which is outside your control. But remember this: It’s not whether you have good luck or bad, it’s what you do with it that matters.
The more you write, the better you become. If you are about to write your first novel, many writing coaches say your skill gets better simply by writing. So write it, put it away, and write a second that will be your first published novel. Later, you can revise and publish the one you wrote first. Coaches will also tell you to practice by taking creative writing classes or completing writing exercises. That’s up to you, but I think that coaching, classes, or exercises work best when focused on your novel.