Guide's Introduction

Well, I finally opened the GD Complete idiot's Guide to Writing a Novel (applauses somewhere in the distance). And it is really fun!
The author, Tom Monteleone, has written 25 novels --which I haven't read, many are horror novels, which I don't like, and some are science fiction, thrillers, suspense, which I love, and will read-- and he says he will teach me a lot of things I have to avoid. That's good, especially when you blaze the trail...
Tom says: "There's no magic or secret knowledge in the writing of a novel. There are techniques, guidelines, and even a few tricks..."
Wow!
I don't know if I would like to meet him...
Let me explain: He says people who have just met him always ask 3 stupid questions:
1. Have you ever had anything published?
2. Dou you use your real name?
3. Where do you guys get all your crazy ideas?
I am sure I would ask at least 2 of these most stupid questions...
Anyway, Tom writes a sentence I like. He says his ideas come "from the molten core of my imagination, from the pit of my fears and the heights of my dreams..."
Not bad.
More tips by Tom Monteleone:
"It will be to your benefit if you have the following items:

• The support and belief of those close to you.
• Time.
• Talent.

Ok, on page 1, there is a cartoon of a patient telling his psychoanalist 'I want to be a writer, but I'm afraid I'm not any good'.

That was me today at my shrink... funny!