Why Ask Why?

Have you ever received a rejection letter from a publisher? Or have you had someone to give you a negative critique on one of your writing projects?

If you have, I'm sure you've asked "Why?" I can understand your need to ask this question, but let's face it: You probably will never know why someone said no to your writing. You could spend an entire day, week, or even year wondering why a publisher, editor, or fellow writer didn't like what you wrote. However, you can also spend that same energy perfecting your manuscript. What are some steps you can take to improve on your writing?

• Put your current manuscript away for awhile.
• Read a book on writing in an area where you would like to improve your skills - subjects may include: marketing, shaping your characters, writing a book proposal, etc.
• After about two weeks, pick your manuscript back up.
• Reread it with a fresh eye.
• Make the changes.
• Send it to other publishers
• Start working on your next manuscript.

While you could waste your time wondering why someone said no, you can just as easily use that same time figuring out ways for your reader to say yes. Keep writing.

Connect and Celebrate with Other Writers

You are not an island. Yes, I know the original quote is a little different, but writer, I'm talking specifically to you.

Many of us think we can get published on our own as long as we write a great manuscript, send it to the publisher, and get that letter of acceptance. However, for most people this is not the case. You need other writers and they need you. So you're afraid to meet new people-- but do it anyway.

Why is it so important for you to meet other writers?

• You need someone to read your writing before you send it off to the publisher.
• You need an honest, unbiased person to help you improve your writing
• You'll need to learn and gain access to the changing trends in writing.
• You need encouragement from other people who are in the same predicament as you, especially when times get tough.

Below you'll find some great ways to connect to other writers:

• Attend writers conferences
• Connect with a writer's group
• Tell others that you are a writer and you may find a fellow writer as you're talking
• Seek out other writers in your church, your social groups, among friends, and yes, even within your family

Even if you find one other writer, the two of you can strengthen each other along the publishing journey, and when you both get published, you can celebrate together!

The Matchmaker -- "Finding Mr. Right"

Boy meets girl. It's love at first sight. They get married, and live happily ever after.

How did this couple meet? At work, church, on the Internet, or through a mutual friend?

Whatever the case, their paths crossed, they hooked up, and it worked!

Don't you wish this were the case for you with your writing and the many editors, writers, and publishers with whom you've tried to hook up? Instead, you find yourself writing proposal after proposal explaining to someone who you don't even know, why they should publish your book. All this work, only to receive a rejection letter? What's missing? Why do some writers get chosen while you haven't? You try so hard to play it cool and keep yourself from becoming jealous, but you can't help but wonder why your manuscript isn't good enough.

While you may never know why your work wasn't accepted by some publishers, you can and will find "Mr. Right Publisher". Who is "Mr. Right Publisher"? He is one who will see the value of your writing. He will offer kind, but firm words of correction and ultimately help you to catapult your writing to another level without deceiving you.

Below are some suggestions to help you find "Mr. Right" publisher:

• Research the publishers to see which ones will publish your genre of writing.
• Buy and read books on how to create a good proposal.
• Be patient.
• Get another writer/editor who can recognize good (or bad) writing to edit your work.
• Send your proposal to many publishers, (the ones who don't mind simultaneous submissions.)
• Be patient. (This is not a mistake!)
• Consider and research self-publishing as an option.

In due season, you will find the option that's best for you and your writing.

Be On Time!

In 2008, when I began working at an office job, I made a conscious decision to work at being on time to work and any other appointments. This is significant for me because I had been in sales for over five years previous to this time. My sales job had me spoiled in that I never really had a set schedule, so there was no obligation to rush to be on time.

Now that I'm a full-time writer, I'm finding myself working harder to stay in a "schedule" mode, in order to complete my writing assignments.

Being on time, whether it's for work, a meeting, or even a family obligation, is vital. As writers, we have deadlines to meet. Whether we're working independently or doing an assignment for an editor or publisher, it behooves us to set goals and complete our assignments on time. Doing this demonstrates to others that we value a person's time and rules.

What can you do to be on time with your writing assignments?

• Start writing once you find out about the assignment.
• Create a schedule for completing the assignment.
• Write something everyday.
• Complete your assignment at least 2-3 days before the deadline.

It's important for us to be on time as we write because someone or some people are counting on us!