Fantasy writing is for fools… wait, let me explain. I’m literally the last person on the planet who’s going to limit you (or tell you what you can’t do).
The world has enough of those already.
But, many authors (dare I say most authors?) have “slightly” unrealistic expectations about what their first book is going to do for them. And, they have “slightly” unrealistic timelines about how quickly it’s going to happen.
Hey, I was one of them.
So…
Even though it might be possible for you to write your book
in a weekend, get a literary agent the following Monday,
get a six-figure book deal from Random House two weeks
later, and end up on the NY Times bestseller list just
6 months after that…
The odds are, oh, I don’t know, something like 1 in 4,687,453
that it’s actually going to happen that way for you.
I call it “magical thinking” or…
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Fantasy Writing
Now, you might say, “But it happened to so-and-so,
therefore it’s conceivable that it could happen to me.”
You’re right.
It is technically possible.
But much more important than that, is the fact that
it’s what you want to believe.
So believe it.
Just don’t bank on it.
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Fantasy Writing Warning
Here’s my point…
Don’t stop doing the things that
you’re doing right now to make money.
Don’t fall into the trap of
fantasy writing.
Don’t use your writing as an escape or an excuse
to avoid your day job, neglect your clients,
or stop marketing your business.
Fantasy writing.
Don’t withdraw so far into your writing cocoon that you
shut out the rest of the world… surrounding yourself
with silky visions of NY Times bestseller-dom.
Fantasy writing.
Yes, it is possible to get lucky…
You might, indeed, be the ideal candidate
who’s about to be blessed with the perfect scenario.
Your fantasy writing might actually transform itself
into a magical fantasy reality, in 30 days or less.
I just don’t recommend that you stake your financial
and/or emotional well-being on it.
After all… writing is no different than getting healthy,
getting rich, growing spiritually, or getting high
search engine rankings on Google.
It takes time.
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Fantasy Writing Reality
So, if you’re like me and you don’t like the idea
of gambling with the things that matter
most to you, like your writing…
Keep dreaming. Keep believing. And keep writing.
Just make sure you pace yourself,
– Mark
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Mark Malatesta
Your “Undercover” Agent
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MARK MALATESTA is a former literary agent turned author coach. Mark now helps authors of all genres (fiction, nonfiction, and children's books) get top literary agents, publishers, and book deals through his company 
MARK MALATESTA is a former literary agent turned author coach. Mark now helps authors of all genres (fiction, nonfiction, and children's books) get top literary agents, publishers, and book deals through his company 
One of my mottos – and I do have a few – is: Dream big, work hard, be patient, and leave the results in God’s hands. I trust Him. I want to make money writing novels. I’m not ashamed of that. But I also want to keep WRITING. I love everything about the process! I find contentedness when I keep both of these things in balance. The way I see it, God is never in a hurry. So, neither am I. Time is going to pass anyway, right? Just my personal thoughts.
The best thing you said here, Jack, is that you enjoy writing. Believe it or not, a lot of writers don’t. Or they’re extremely conflicted about the process. If you love it, you’re halfway there. Mark
Speaking of mottos and quotes, you’ll love my writing quotes website if aren’t already aware of it. Check it out here: http://writingquotes.com. Mark
Fantasy Writing | Good evening Mr. Malatesta,
You asked to know a little more about my work. Very well, the novel I’m writing and wish to publish deals with topics of ignorance, fear, and discrimination. Subjects very near to dear to my heart as I have to deal with them frequently. But rather than posting simply my believe I chose to approach these topics with a fiction centered around a topic that I beleive is the ultimate metaphor: The vampire.
My main character is someone who has to live a double life. He looks like a normal teenager, when in truth he is the son of Nocturnal man, who had a jaded sexual thrist with a human woman. Please keep in mind, my character is NOT Blade, nor is he consumed with self hatred. To be brief, “Yes I’m different than most of you, but does that make me a monster?” | Fantasy Writing
Fantasy Writing | Hi Jason, good morning… sounds like fun… do post a question for me here at any time if I can be of any help. And have a great week! Mark | Fantasy Writing
Fantasy Writing | Hi Mark,
I’ve written a fantasy novel, a fusion of crime and fantasy. It’s more like a cross between Harry Potter, Artemis Fowl and Percy Jackson. Could you suggest me a publisher/literary agent who can accept my book for publishing?
Rahul | Fantasy Writing
Fantasy Writing | Hi Rahul, listen to my complimentary mp3 here and you’ll learn of a few ways to locate agents that would be a good fit for you and your work: https://literary-agents.com. Make sure you put the required effort into the agent research process. Most writers don’t enjoy it, but it’s well worth it. Good luck! 🙂 Mark | Fantasy Writing