A Pep Talk for Writers

 

Our photo poster today highlights how our writing journey must take place. We don't decide to be a writer, then zoom from square one to success. If only we could! Maybe every third person would become a writer if it was that easy.

Anyone who has entered the writing world learns very quickly that the journey must be taken one step at a time. That we walk down the writing path putting one foot in front of another, meeting potholes along the way. Can you hop over those potholes and move on, or do you work at filling them in--correcting whatever was wrong? Skip over them, and you're bound to run into more and more. 

Patience is one of the keywords in my writing world. When we are a newbie writer, we want to soar like a jet plane. We want to leap the learning hurdles and get to the part where editors clamor for our work. Instead, we need to practice patience. 

We also should pursue as much knowledge about the craft of writing as possible. It's not a matter of learning this and that and then surging ahead. We have to keep on a continuous learning cycle. It's one reason I suggest attending writing conferences and workshops. You'll learn at each one. The information you receive might not help you that very day, but as time goes on, and you venture into different styles of writing, what you learned can be most helpful. 

Don't stop learning about the writing world. Ever! Even when you think you know it all, something new might come along. Be open to learning new methods. Don't be one of those people who say "I've always done it this way, and I'm not going to change now." At least, try the new way, and if it doesn't work for you, go back to what you did before. You could find that you are happy with the new method. 

One way newbie writers meet discouragement head-on is to submit to the top magazines or publishers immediately. There's the slimmest chance they'll be accepted. More likely is the rejection coming back in a flash. When you feel ready to submit your work, start with smaller publications. Build a portfolio of acceptances with them, and move on to the bigger ones later. 

Patience. It's a virtue that all writers should develop. 

Don't wait for the elevator that will zoom you to the penthouse of success. Take the stairs as you become a stronger writer. Keep moving up a little at a time without losing sight of your goals.