Muse time: shut out the noise and let your subconscious get into “the zone.”

One of the most common themes we hear from new writers is fears that they’re not “real writers,” especially when friends and family ask when their “scribbling” is going to lead to a lucrative career.

You especially run into this stuff when you meet up with relatives and old friends at holiday time.

“How can it take 3 years to write a novel? My mom can type 60 words a minute,” says your old high school friend. And of course your aunt wants to know: “When are you going to publish that thing? I’ve heard of this Author Solutions company that will publish a book for only $5000….” And your spouse’s uncle blurts out, just the way he did last year, “How long before you start making money with that stuff, pal?”