I'd be glad to tell you anything I can about the business of writing. I took a fairly standard route. I started by freelancing. The most important thing you can do is build entries on your publication list. That's how they judge you. At first, I had to write for free, but once I had some credits to my name, I started getting paying gigs. For awhile, I didn't make much at all, but as I built my reputation, I started getting higher paying gigs. Eventually, I was hired full-time for a company, doing writing for them.

I've always worked in the games industry, as that's my field of interest. I started writing for tabletop roleplaying games. My first publications were reviews I wrote for free that were published in a gaming magazine. Later, I was hired to write actual game material.

The life of a writer is not glamorous, but it is very rewarding. You have to really love what you do. You have to be a grammar and punctuation Nazi. And you have to read the stuff you want to write.

I'll be honest with you. You'll have to work your way up. Having a degree will not open the big doors for you, but it will open the little doors, and that will eventually lead to the big doors. If you want to write novels, then start writing and don't stop. Novel writing requires a great deal of dedication to your career.

If you want to write for games, then become as much of a gamer as you can. Play everything you can get your hands on. Read all the gamer e-zines, websites and paper magazines. Start writing articles for them and start getting to know the people who are the movers and shakers in the industry.

Most important of all: never doubt that you are a writer. Always say, "I'm a writer," with confidence. If you don't believe it, no one else will either. :)

Focus is very important. Set your sights and go after what you want. :)