8 Life Rules For Writers

Today's poster gives us a good guide for our everyday living. I think most of them can apply to our writing life as well. Let's see how they work for writers.

1. See failure as a beginning, not an end. When those rejections come, we shouldn't let it be the end of our writing career. Move on and make a new beginning either by submitting elsewhere or writing something new.

2. If you don't go after it, you won't have it.  This one is a no brainer. If you sit in your chair and grump about your writing journey having too many bumps or stalling, blame no one but yourself. Get up and get moving. Go after it!

3. Always do more that is expected of your. If you write something you think is good, that's fine. But you can always make it better by revising and editing more than once. 

4. Teach others what you know. You'll benefit by sharing your writing knowledge and skills with others. I do it by blogging and teaching an occasional workshop at conferences. You can also do it one on one with another writer over coffee or while on a walk in the park together. Share your expertise.

5. Assume nothing and question everything. If you're not sure about what an editor wants, don't hesitate to ask. It will save both of you a lot of grief later.

6. Make peace with the past or you'll pay for it. If you fret over past problems or failures, you will only make yourself miserable. You will find more success and inner peace if you look forward, not back. 

7. Stop thinking so much and start acting. Sometimes writers ponder far too long about a topic before they begin the actual writing. Think a little, then get going. You'll find more ideas come as you write. 

8. Never compare yourself to others. You are unique. So am I. As is the writer on your left and the one on your right when you attend a conference. Celebrate you as a writer.

So, there you have it--8 Life Rules for Writers.