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7 reasons why writing is like taking a vacation
It’s necessary to plan. If you visit a strange city/write a book without an idea of where you’re going, you’ll spend a lot of time circling the block, backing out of dead ends and sitting around wondering what to do next.
On the flip side, leave room for discovery. If you don’t follow your instincts and enter the last antique store on the block (after browsing six others) because you want to know the price of that cute teapot, you’ll never learn the owner was once a June Taylor dancer ( if you’re too young to know, Google it.) If you’ve outlined your story to the Nth degree, your characters might atrophy and strangle the plot.
You will get lost.
You’ll want to quit at some point and never attempt another journey.
The weather will play a role.
Characters will appear from nowhere and demand your attention.
Finally, when it’s over, you’ll be glad you made the effort and can’t wait to start another.
Bon voyage on any trips you take, figuratively and literally (pun intended)
It’s been a long time since I filed a rejection letter. Oh, I’m organized, I keep a spreadsheet of which manuscript went where, but it’s only to avoid duplicating my efforts and knowing how long a query has been out.
No, I’m not the type to dwell on bad news. In fact, I refuse to call it bad news. A difference of opinion, maybe, a manuscript that didn’t fit, a fate that wasn’t meant to be. Yet.
The authors on this list, were rejected many times before they were finally accepted for publication. William Faulkner, Meg Cabot, Agatha Christie, John Grisham and others all had their manuscripts returned or received that dreaded SASE.
What differs them from other authors who had similar experiences? Perseverance. A can’t-give-up-attitude. A belief in their own talent.
Do you have the same attitude? When was the last time you emailed a submission? Snail mailed a query letter? What are you waiting for? I believe in you. Get busy. Do it this week. Don’t live with it-could-have-been.
Report back and let me know how you’re doing.
I love a success story. I love a story. It’s why I’m in this business.
It’s YouTube’s 5th anniversary today. Here’s my favorite video in the writing research category, bookmarked when I started “The Princess Rescuer, or 8 Ways to Storm a Castle.”
