ABOUT: Hi, I'm Twanna. I'm a writer and sexual and reproductive health advocate. FUNKY BROWN CHICK® chronicles my life, and it's your regular dose of my up-close-and-personal perspective on sex and relationships. Views expressed herein do not reflect those of my family, ex-boyfriends, employers or others. Adults only. More»

The reality check I give new writers is this scenario: Walk into your local bookstore (if it hasn't already gone out of business). For fun, look around and start counting the number of titles you see. You probably won’t finish, but it’ll give you a bit of perspective. Few authors become famous. Or, how about this: What’s your favorite magazine? Okay, now, give me the first and last name of ten staff writers, editors or freelancers who regularly write articles for it. Want my honest advice? Get some tangible skills and life experience under your belt because, if you want to be a writer, it’s probably smart to start with a very clear understanding that you probably aren’t going to be rich and it's highly unlikely millions will read your work. Only write because you fucking LOVE doing it; Count successes as unexpected blessings. That’s totally what I do.