Write Again!

7:30 AM Elizabeth Seckman 13 Comments

Now that I am PUBLISHED, my inbox has been graced with new writers asking for advice...which is awesome... cause that proves I'm NOT a newbie anymore!

I'm seasoned. Certified professional. 

Not Debbie Macomber, Nicholas Sparks, or Nora Roberts pro-level, but I am totally way smarter than this newbie who wrote her first manuscript in three months, typed  The End on the last page and thought she was done. So, she put together her first query package, even though she probably couldn't even spell query. Instead of research, she winged it, believing her stellar  story and obvious greatness was all she needed to break into one of the toughest markets around. It was a handsome package. She stapled each chapter then compiled them into one big stack. She corrected some mistakes with a ball point pen and wrote a few notes in the edges and on post-it-notes. If all this wasn't eye-popping, mind-blowing awesome enough, she jotted a quick query on some butterfly stationery and shoved the whole thing in the mail addressed to "Dear Editor" and to the address in the front cover of the latest book she was reading.

Yeah. What a goof.

She got a form rejection. Which was nice considering whoever opened that behemoth probably wanted to give her a slap to the head.

Fortunately, she wanted to succeed badly enough, so she studied...writing blogs, agent blogs, books on craft, books on self -editing..she devoured them all. Then she made friends. Good friends who would provide feedback and support so she never again sent a query out into the world with spinach (or staples or post-its) stuck in its teeth.

I'd tell you her name (Elizabeth Seckman) but I'd hate to embarrass her. She was a real doofus, but she's come a long way.

And you there...yes you...you reading this post...you've come a long way too. Don't worry if you haven't signed on the dotted line...yet...keep studying, keep learning, and for Heaven's sake, keep writing!

One day you will be holding your book in your hands and some wide-eyed newbie will ask, "I want to publish a book. Do I have to have it completely finished before I can sell it?" 

And you will say...study fresh little grasshopper...and be patient. Cause you are now wise enough to know the journey is long and only the hardy will prevail. 

To make it, you must understand...if at first you don't succeed, write, write again.