Do you have what it takes?

What does it take to be a published writer? You must be patient. It takes forever to hear back from literary magazines; on average, it takes a couple of months. Do your homework. Don't send an experimental story to a publication that usually publishes traditional work. Treat your writing like a profession. Treating writing as your profession means that you conduct research. You know the books that have been newly-released. You are subscribed to Poets & Writers (a year subscription, 6 issues, is $14.95). You write constantly, even when you rather watch television shows like The Jersey Shore. Become a member of a writing group in your area. Attend free readings. And most of all...READ!