This is Part One of a three-part series — originally posted at my personal blog.

When I launched the Novelicity Twitter account, I knew at some point I would have to give some details about what Novelicity is — what Novelicity will be. However, it’s tough revealing the destination when the road map has not been completed. But let’s try to define Novelicity in three parts.

Actually, let’s first start with some story telling.

Creative Writing

I took at least one creative writing class in college as I was trying to figure out what my major would be. It’s very possible that I took more, but I can specifically remember this one class. The reason, I’ll admit, is shallow. The teacher hadn’t published a single book, but was up in front of a class of 30-plus student discussing writing style and novel structure, etc. I realize now the fact that she hadn’t been published had absolutely zero impact on her ability to teach. And in truth, she inspired my writing for a long stretch.

But there was something far more important to be learned from that class. Every single student could write — to some degree, at least — and every single student was facing long odds. A successful writing career often seems as elusive as winning the lottery, and in reality, it can be. No one in that class was published. This was about 10 years ago, so self-publishing wasn’t quite what it is today. So these students were learning their craft, looking for a leg up on everyone else. However, they weren’t being taught the business side of trying to get published. Yep, there’s a business side.

Which brings me to my point: Writers want to write. Writers DO NOT want to write emails and letters soliciting their heart and soul. That’s what each story is, right? This is why Creative Writing classes exist, but Pitching to Publishing Houses classes really don’t. If every writer was given a free business partner to market their manuscript, find a literary agent for them, and get them published, imagine how productive the amateur and professional authors of the world could be.

Fear of Rejection

One of the other inspiring things I’ve seen as I waffled back and forth between “the real world” and being a writer was the strange amount of secrecy surrounding your passion. I say your because it applies to me, it applies to you, and it applies to so many writers out there. There is a barrier that keeps many from sharing their work with others. Is it fear of criticism? I don’t think so. Is it a desire to keep the topics and the content personal and protected? Maybe. However, I think the real reason many writers — specifically ones just getting started — hide their passion is because the widely known fact that most writers are never published.

These writers, who want a release for their creativity, write short stories, screenplays, full-length manuscripts but they don’t dare tell some of their family or friends. Their family and their friends know that writing can’t be a career. It’s too difficult. Remember, the lottery odds feeling I mentioned earlier?