My Scribbles Through Time

"You must read alot and write alot."  - Steven King in his book, On Writing.
 
It is as simple as that. A writer needs to read both good and bad examples of writing as his time allows. He also has to practice the craft of actual writing.
 
So the question most aspiring writers ask: How much is alot?
 
That question is mostly subjective. So I will answer it with an example on how I work.

Don't Be A Writer, Please.

A friend of mine and I were discussing our children and the funny things they say and do. The topic of what the kids wanted to be when they grew up surfaced.  The typical childhood ambitions of being a police officer, fire fighter, ballerina, doctor, lawyer, princess, etc.  Then he told be his 8 year old daughter wanted to be a writer. He asked me to be some sort of mentor for her.

"If you want a someone that is a mediocre writer that has struggled for years to get a major work published, and would most likely try everything to dissuade her to have writing as a occupation, then I'm your guy." I told him.

He didn't like my response, but that is how I feel about it. The reasons for this sentiment, as I said to him, will be explained below.