How can I develop my writing skills and earn money from it?

I'm still a freshman student and I think I'm still too young to be an author or a writer or whatsoever but its my dream. I'm wondering, how can i develop my writing skills and earn money from it? because i wanted to help my parents raise us their 4 children....

Dear Pearl:

I've been a freelance writer since 1993 -- a freelance "commercial" writer.

What does this mean? I don't write fiction, poetry, novels, etc. I write for businesses. I tell you this to say that you can make a money as a writer -- but expand your concept of what that means.

There are very few JK Rowlings or Stephen Kings, but there are plenty of "no-name writers" like me who make their living writing for businesses -- eg, web copy, SEO articles, ebooks, etc.

Following is how you can get on the road to making a living as a writer -- and you can even start today with a couple of sites I'm going to tell you about.

Advice on Making a Living as a Writer -- With No Experience

Write what you know: As you say you're a freshman (don't know if that's college or high school), write what you know.

Music, movies, clothing, MP2 players, video games, cell phone technology, etc. Your demographic (age group) knows more about these things that practically any other group.

If you're at least 18, you can log onto AssociatedContent.com and start submitting articles to them and get paid. They pay you (anywhere from $3 to $20 for a minimum 400-word article) to write about what you know. Again, you have to be at least 18 to write for them.

I just read about a 17-year-old who became a millionaire creating myspace pages. Read the story here: http://online-interest.blogspot.com/2007... FYI, the teen's website is WhateverLife.com

See what I mean when I say you all are the generation that knows about technology. Capitalize on this knowledge.

Another idea: Write an an ebook around a topic you think would interest your peers, put up a simple website and sell it.

To find out more about writing for a living, visit my blog at InkwellEditorial.blogspot.com.

And good luck. How noble of you to want to help your parents.

Sincerely,
Yuwanda Black, Publisher
InkwellEditorial.com
InkwellEditorial.blogspot.com
"How to Start a Successful Freelance Career" Newsletter

Okay, you are working under a misconception.

You are not too young to be an author. Books have been written and published by people much younger than you.

To develop your writing skills, start writing.

Do not accept criticism, do not stop writing. except to do the necessities.

Check out the latest copy of "Writer's Market" from the library.

BTW: eBooks may be the future, but there is not much profit in them yet.