I wish I knew the answer - I might have saved myself from years of heartache, rejection and depression - but the fact that you share the yearning and are presumably prepared to work hard to fulfil that need - maybe for years with no reward but the doing of it - is enough for the present. Time - and experience - will tell you if you have the other stuff that a writer needs to move forward to publication and maybe even a career as a writer.

Obviously, I can't tell you what to write - that's something you need to discover for yourself if your work is to have that individua l w riting style for which editors look.

As I said, I can't tell you - but maybe you can tell yourself the most likely avenue without too much trouble. Look at your usual tastes in reading matter. Whether you like crime fiction in any of its sub-genres, historical fiction in a particular period, fantasy, literary fiction or whatever, some style of book will give you the most reading pleasure. I'm not saying that's necessarily the book you should write - occasionally that's patently not so - but often it is, so let's go with the flow until you discover otherwise.

If you like a particular genre you've probably read widely in it, which is likely to give you a good idea of what works and what doesn't, what you like and what turns you off completely. Maybe that particular genre would be a good place for you to kick-start your novelist's career?

Only remember the necessity of finding your own voice and creating characters you can relate to (very important if your aim is to write about them over a series). That relating aspect is what most concerned me when I tried my hand at writing my first crime novel - and being British - with all the class aspects still at large in my country - gave me serious pause for thought; the book-buying public in Britain still being, mostly, middle-class and university educated (unlike me). On the whole, they prefer their reading matter and their characters to be much the same. Blast them! But - I did it my way and got published - my seventeenth novel is published in June 2010, so I haven't done so badly from doing it 'My Way' and creating characters from a background I was familiar with - so maybe you should consider writing from your own background? It's what I did. No, fame and fortune have yet to find me, but sometimes, when you don't know anyone influential in the world of publishing, it just takes that little bit longer...

COPING WITH REJECTION - LISTENING TO THAT LITTLE VOICE. We've all been there. I started my writing career trying to write romantic novels for the Mills & Boon market. I had a book a year rejected for almost six years. On one well-remembered occasion, I received the rejection letter on Christmas Eve! What a fun Christmas that was! And such a thoughtful, sensitive editor... My darlings, there's plenty of them about. Get used to it.

Finally, my sixth novel, a romance, entitled Land of Dreams, set in the Canadian Arctic (a pretty unlikely location for romance, where the settings were usually hot and steamy, but like all the writing books advised, I was trying to be the same - but different) - was published- but not by Mills & Boon.

But romance writing wasn't really my metier as the wise little voice inside had been telling me for several years. Unfortunately, I ignored that wise little voice. I wouldn't advise you to do the same. Because when I paid attention to what that little voice was saying, it was telling me to try my hand at crime novels. This time I listened and wrote Dead Before Morning , the first in my Rafferty & Llewellyn crime series. It was taken out of Macmillan's slush pile and published on only its second outing. It went on to be published in the US in hardback and paperback, as did Down Among The Dead Men , the follow-up.

Ooh, I thought, Geraldine, sweetheart, 'ere we go, 'ere we go, ' ere we go,', to use the common English football fans' cry when they thought they were on to a winner (usually before we're thrashed seconds before the full-time whistle by the usual suspects - the French or German teams).

But what a difference after my experiences of writing romance; doesn't that show why you should listen to that wise little voice and try something more suited to your personality and outlook on life?

Look, I know how hard a writer's - or would-be writer's life - is - I should - I've been there and suffered the slings and arrows of outrageous whatsit for many years (twice over), to prove it. My little analogy about football teams is carved in to my heart, much like 'Calais' was claimed to be carved in hers, by Henry VIII's elder daughter, 'Bloody' Mary Tudor (no, not the same Mary Tudor as in my historical, Reluctant Queen). TAKE A BREAK FROM THE DEMANDS OF NOVEL WRITING - TRY SOMETHING SHORTER If you've been attempting a big undertaking like writing a novel, give yourself an occasional break and try something shorter and factual.

Yes, I know; you see yourself as a novelist. So did I - unfortunately, back then, publishers didn't share this Divine viewpoint, so I engaged my Libran versatility, and tried something else. Maybe you should, too? It's only a suggestion. All I'm doing, is trying to put in your mind the idea that writing - in whatever form - can bring satisfaction and its own rewards. I had my short non-fiction published, mostly in reasonably prestigious magazines and got paid for it (okay, when it came to getting the so-and-sos to pay me, I sometimes had some chasing to do, but so do most writers of shorter pieces (and some longer pieces, too, for that matter...) but, I had some published works to put on my writer's CV - and so might you.

You are likely to get your first article accepted more quickly than a first novel (as long as you study the market and write to subject matter and word length, having first applied for writers' guidelines).

And when you succeed in getting an article published it will boost your confidence as a writer and give you something to put on your writer's CV, just like it did mine.

PERSEVERE. During my writing career, I've had not one, but two six-year-long periods without a publisher (the writers' equivalent of an actor's 'resting' periods, though ours seem to go on much longer). See my Bio and Writing Life pages for the whys and wherefores of these years and how I got through them (I cried a lot, basically and went in for that, 'Oh, woe is me,' Shakespeare stuff. Unfortunately, I don't look marketably gorgeous either before or after I've cried, so bawling my eyes out didn't do me a lot of good, apart from providing a certain cathartic value).

Anyway, I gritted my teeth and endured all the rejections, which meant I was still in there plugging away when the faint hearts had given up. Pretty or plain, male or female, this may well be what you have to do. Face it. Accept it. What else are you going to do? Carry on working in your uncle's poodle parlour? Stay on as a checkout girl till somebody punches your retirement number? Hey, I don't know about you, but I thought that writing was going to be my only chance at fame, riches and the good life... Yes, I'm still waiting for this triptych of goodies to land in my lap, but I knew there was no chance of them arriving from any of the assorted days jobs I've had. How about you?

I'm sorry to make it seem as if a writing life is unrewarding. It's not (particularly not if you're more outgoing than me and are prepared to get out there, once your first book is published and market it till you're ready to faint (believe me, it's unlikely your publisher will stir himself much unless you become a bestseller...). I didn't understand the importance of self-marketing for some time and although I have now taught mysef to produce my own flyers, bookmarks, postcards, etc, (as well as my own website!) I'm still not much good at it.By the way, if you have managed to get your first book published - Congratulations! Bloody well done. You've climbed a mountain, Sherpa Tensing, a major one. Take a breather while you enjoy the view. While you're up there, learn how to go to even greater heights.

To learn some tips on marketing, you can't beat the Yanks. Copy and paste the folowing in to your address line: www.murdermustadvertise.com. Sign up for the newsletter and learn all about marketing techniques. Americans patented the phrase. I've learned so much just from this one site that I wish I had the time to put everything they suggest in to practice.

Now, I know from hard experience that often, a writer feels like they're on a treadmill. Like most creative pursuits, writing can be hard and demanding and the rewards, such as they are, can take years to filter down. Sometimes, the writing life can seem like the curse of the damned. We all start off dreaming of bestsellerdom and loads of money, but, to most, 95% of published writers, if not more, that simply 'aint what happens. We write because we love writing.

I'm not saying that's how it will be for you, but since I came to - and learned - about writing - the hard way, I feel it's my God-given duty to remove those rose-tinted glasses from the eyes of other hopefuls and tell them how it really is - and while there's still time for you to take that Open University course I'm still wishing I'd taken (if only as a fall-back as advised by wise parents to eager young footballers).

Okay, if you still want to be a writer... determination, gut-clunking determination and the ability to seek out criticism and learn from it, have been the keys to publication for me. As I say, it's what got me on the publication road, so there's no reason why the same gritty character aspects shouldn't work for you.

I never said it would be easy...

My second period of writing famine ended when I was signed up by a new agent (sorry, her postman moans like a fury if I mention her name, so she prefers to be nameless), who placed Absolute Poison, Dying For You, (which came out UK June 2004 and US August 2004) and Bad Blood, (published: UK December 2004 and US March 2005) and also obtained a second two-book deal for me, for Love Lies Bleeding (Aug 2005) and Blood on the Bones (May 2006) all with Severn House. In addition, she placed my first historical novel, Reluctant Queen with Robert Hale.

Having all the above books published or contracted for publication was my reward for perseverance. Worth it, I think you'll agree. Your perseverance could give you similar rewards, particularly if you pay attention to what that little voice is saying to you and if you try to learn from your mistakes. This is where making use of the professionals who provide manuscript criticism services comes in.They're not cheap, but then neither, in terms of emotion, frustration or money, is endless rejection. The following criticism business has a good reputation and advertise in Writers' News.  

THE LITERARY CONSULTANCY FREE WORD CENTRE 60 FARRINGDON ROAD LONDON EC1R 3GA UNITED KINGDOM. TEL: 020 7324 2563 EMAIL: info@literaryconsultancy.co.uk.www.literaryconsultancy.co.uk.

DON'T ISOLATE YOURSELF. This one is tricky, I know. When you have a full-time job as I did for many years and maybe a family to care for as well, the temptation is to spend all the spare time you can snatch huddled over your keyboard.

Try to make more effort than I did to make friends in the writing world; you'll get some valuable feedback on your work and could make some useful contacts.

Join a writers' circle. You'll find lists of these in the Writers' Handbook / Writers' & Artists' Yearbook and should be able to find one reasonably close to your home. If not, why not start one yourself? You could also try one of the internet search engines, like google, for instance and type in the address bar: 'Writers' Cicles in East Anglia England' (or wherever). You'll get listings of lots of circles, one of which is likely to be near you.

And don't forget - subscribe to Writers' News and Writing Magazine . They have masses of helpful advice and information. They also have a book club with a wide variety of books on sale that are of interest to writers as well as Competitions, information on prizes, advice, markets, etc. www.writersnews.co.uk

Writers' Digest Books (www.writersdigest.com) also have some terrific books to help you whatever your type of writing. I find their range of factual books for crime writers particularly helpful (books on forensics, guns, poisons, scene of crime and so on). Although they're American, they have a lot in them that is useful to British and other nationalities.) Take a look at their website and see what other services they offer.

The internet also has masses of other writing sites whether they're web-based writers' magazines, writers' groups, readers' groups and so on. Just type 'Writers' Groups' (or whatever) in the address bar. You are not alone.And if you're interested in writing historical novels, join :

The Historical Novel Society www.historicalnovelsociety.org

Crime Writers should consider joining: Mystery Women www.mysterywomen.co.uk

This is a group for readers and writers of crime novels. You don't have to be a woman to join. Several times a year, they produce a magazine listing events and reviews of members' latest books. They also meet regularly. Currently, membership costs £20 a year (UK) or US Dollars 35 (Overseas). Make cheques payable to: Mystery Women.

Write to: Ayo Onatade 137 Sandstone Road Grove Park London SE12 0UT UNITED KINGDOM .

If you're in to romantic or historical romance novels, why not join: The Romantic Novelists' Association as a probationary member. They provide a free manuscript assessment for unpublished authors: www.rna-uk.org. You are not alone!

Good luck and best wishes.

Geraldine Evans

ALL THE LONELY PEOPLE (Severn House UK July 2009, US  October 2009), DEATH DUES(Severn House UK May 2008, US August 2008), A KILLING KARMA (Severn House UK Oct 2007, US Jan 2008), A THRUST TO THE VITALS (Severn House UK Jan 2007, US April 2007, )BLOOD ON THE BONES (Severn House UK May 2006, US August 2006), LOVE LIES BLEEDING (Severn House UK August 2005, US November 2005), BAD BLOOD (Severn House UK December 2004, US March 2005)DYING FOR YOU (Severn House UK June 2004, US August 2004, UK (L/P) 2006). RELUCTANT QUEEN (Robert Hale, March 2004 - written under the name Geraldine Hartnett), UP IN FLAMES ( Severn House, December 2003, UK (L/P) 2004), ABSOLUTE POISON (Severn House, UK December 2002, US March 2003, UK (L/P 2003), THE HANGING TREE (UK Macmillan 1996, UK (L/P) F A Thorpe), DEATH LINE (UK Macmillan 1995, UK (L/P) F A Thorpe), DOWN AMONG THE DEAD MEN(UK Macmillan, 1994, US St Martin's Press New York 1994 (Thomas Dunne Books), US (P/B) Worldwide), DEAD BEFORE MORNING (First published crime novel and first in my Rafferty & Llewellyn crime series, UK Macmillan 1993, US St Martin's Press New York, 1993 (Thomas Dunne Books), US (P/B) Worldwide), LAND OF DREAMS (First published novel, Robert Hale, 1991).

Also a variety of articles published on several topics, including Writing, New Age and Historical Biography.